Implant treatment in immunosuppressed renal transplant patients: A prospective case-controlled study

Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of implant therapy in a cohort of immunosuppressed renal transplant patients compared with a matched control group.

Material and methods: Pharmacologically immunosuppressed renal transplant patients received dental implant treatment between 2001 and 2011. Periodontal, clinical and radiographic parameters were prospectively measured with a mean follow-up of 116.8 months (range from 84 to 192 months). A matched controlled non-transplant sample receiving similar implant treatment in the same time was included as a control group.

Results: Implant survival rate was over 98% in both test and control groups (100% and 98.84%, respectively). Peri-implant mucositis was diagnosed in 46.80% of the implants in the study group and in 48.80% in the control group. Peri-implantitis occurred in 5.10% of the implants in the study group and in 8.10% of the controls. Wound healing and post-operative pain were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: Despite the limitations of this study, pharmacological immunosuppression in renal transplant patients did not affect implant outcomes. Renal transplant patients should be carefully controlled periodically after implant treatment.

Clinical implications: The results from this investigation justify the use of dental implants for the dentalrehabilitation of immunosuppressed patients after renal transplantation provided they follow the necessarylong-term monitoring and regular maintenance of their oral and systemic health.