Antidepressants linked to tooth implant failure: study

Antidepressants, which are commonly used to treat anxiety, pain and other disorders, significantly increase the risk of dental implant failure, a new study has warned.
Each year of antidepressant use doubled the odds of failure, according to researchers.
While these drugs are often used to manage mood and emotions, a side effect decreases the regulation of bone metabolism, which is crucial to the healing process, researchers said.
"For an implant to heal properly, new bone must form around it to secure it in place," said Sulochana Gurung from University of Buffalo in the US.
"Antidepressant medication may relieve depression symptoms and help millions of patients worldwide, however, their benefits must be weighed with the side effect," said Latifa Bairam from University of Buffalo.

Additional side effects of the drug include osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle; akathisia, a disorder characterised by the need to be in constant motion, including the head and jaw; bruxism, or teeth grinding; and dryness of the mouth, all of which affect the implant healing process, Bairam said.

Researchers analysed data from the medical charts of dental clinic patients in 2014. They found that of the few patients who experienced implant failures, 33 per cent used antidepressants. For patients who did not experience failures, only 11 per cent used the drug.
"The difference between 33 per cent and 11 per cent is quite remarkable and needs further in-depth analysis," said Sebastiano Andreana from University of Buffalo.

The findings will be presented at the 45th annual American Association for Dental Research conference.