Implant Complications from Selective Serotonin Inhibitors?

I have not noticed any difference with SSRIs. However, most patients may not divulge they are on SSRIs because of the attached stigma. So this may be s difficult parameter to delineate. Dennis Flanagan DDS MSc

Virtually the whole country is on SSRI's and most will not report it as they do not want to release a mental health issue.

Patients on SSRI are often heavy smokers and have poor oral hygiene habits. This might account for the increased implant failures/complications.

Very interesting but may be factors related to general patient health rather than the SSRI medication per se. These individuals may be depressed, mentally not in a good place to look after themselves. Smoking history, possible additional medications and substance (alcohol) abuse could be factors. It is another reminder to look at medical histories and try to evaluate any increased failure risks to make patients aware of. It may not be fair to expect patient's to be frank with full disclosure of such medications so one way to get round this is to get consent fo release of medical records and obtain the histories direct from their medical doctors.

I haven't noticed that particular correlation, but bruxism is a huge problem with some of the SSRIs. Perhaps that contributes to the implant failure?

SSRI's reduce bone formation and increase bone resorption so they are not good for bone. What is important is to know what effects the SSRI's may be having on the patient in the chair. You can determine bone health by an evaluation of a digital periapical radiograph. The radiograph will give you information of the overall bone health of the patient's bone and inparticular the site where you plan to place the implant. Greg Steiner Steiner Biotechnology

Association does not prove Cause. It's misuse/abuse of statistics. There's something called 'confounding factor(s)'. Run it through the Bradford-Hill criteria to determine plausibility when in doubt.