Vitamin D Deficiency and Dental Implants

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide public health problem that spans all age groups from children to adults. The major source of vitamin D comes directly from sunlight exposure and certain foods. Studies have now shown that roughly 70% of society is deficient.

Vitamin D deficiency is most known for its association in osteoporotic and menopausal women however it plays a substantial role in various other diseases as well. These include depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes among others.

More recently, vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with up to a 300% increase in dental implant failure and other dental-related complications such as gingivitis and chronic periodontitis, as it has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects.

In addition, vitamin D is important for bone metabolism, alveolar bone resorption, preventing tooth loss, and promoting bone formation around dental implants. Patients who demonstrate a poor wound healing response after dental treatment—including healing after oral, periodontal, and implant surgery—should have vitamin D serum levels evaluated and treated if necessary.

Adding vitamin D to your daily vitamin line-up is a start but that won’t fix the problem entirely. Vitamin D needs help from vitamins and minerals and antioxidants for absorption. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the population today also suffers from these vitamin and mineral deficiencies directly linked to antioxidant levels. See below for the FDA rec daily requirements:

References

Richard J. Miron, Michael A. Pikos, Mark Bishara. Vitamin D Deficiency and Early Implant Failure. Dentistry Today. Vol. 39 No. 4. April 2020.