Implant treatment in pharmacologically immunosuppressed liver transplant patients: A prospective‐controlled study

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of implant therapy in liver transplant patients (LTP). The secondary goal was to assess several implant- and patient-dependent variables, such as peri-implantitis (PI), peri- implant mucositis (PIM), bone loss (BL), and immediate postoperative complications.

Material and methods: Two groups, including 16 pharmacologically immunosup- pressed LTP and 16 matched controls, received 52 and 54 implants, respectively, be- tween 1999 and 2008. After evaluating the postoperative healing, a mean follow-up of more than 8 years was carried out, and radiographic, clinical, and periodontal pa- rameters were recorded to evaluate implant survival and implant- and patient- dependent outcomes.

Results: The early postsurgical complications were similar in both groups. Implant sur- vival rate was 100% in the LTP group and 98.15% in the CG. PIM was diagnosed in 35.42% of the implants and 64.29% of the patients of LTP group (LTPG) and in 43.40% of the implants and 56.25% of the patients in the CG. PI was detected in 4.17% of the implants and 7.10% of the patients in the LTPG and in 9.43% of the implants and 18.80% of the patients in the CG.

Conclusion: Pharmacologically immunosuppression in liver transplant patients was not a risk factor for implant failure, nor for the incidence of peri-implant diseases. Liver transplant is not a contraindication for dental implant treatment, although these pa- tients should be carefully monitored during follow-up care.