Patient with Thalassemia Minor: Contraindication for Dental Implants?

Dr. SM, an oral surgeon, asks:
In my practice I am referred patients with medical complications for placement of dental implants. In many cases the placement of the implant itself is relatively simple but the management of the medical issues is complex and often difficult. Nearly all of these patients are high risk. I recently was referred a patient with Thalassemia Minor – the mild form of Thalassemia. Are there any contraindications to placing dental implants in these patients? Are there any special precautions that I should take? Is there a decreased chance of success?

Editor’s Note: From Wikipedia – “Thalassaemia or “thalassemia” is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. Reduced synthesis of one of the globin chains can cause the formation of abnormal hemoglobin molecules, thus causing anemia, the characteristic presenting symptom of the thalassemias.”