Comparative evaluation of crestal bone level in patients having low level of Vitamin D treated with dental implant with or without Vitamin D3 supplements.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D has been shown to play a vital role in bone mineral homeostasis by stimulating the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. The critical role of Vitamin D in bone metabolism triggered the need to evaluate the effect of Vitamin D deficiency and hence replacement of the same on osseointegration of dental implants. This prospective study evaluated the crestal bone level in patients having low level of Vitamin D treated with dental implant with or without Vitamin D3 supplements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study was conducted on 32 patients based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of Vitamin D level < 30 ng/ml (Group I: patients receiving Vitamin D3 supplements, i.e., cholecalciferol 1 g sachet 60,000 IU/month) or <30 ng/ml (Group II: not receiving Vitamin D3 supplements). The crestal bone level measurements were made with the help of Digimizer Image Analysis, MedCalc software.

RESULTS: All implants showed clinically acceptable crestal bone level at interval of 1 week (baseline), 3 months, and 6 months. There was a statistically nonsignificant difference seen for the values between the groups (P > 0.05) for all other values at various time intervals. However, there was a statistically significant/highly significant difference seen for the values between the groups (P < 0.01, 0.05) for 3 months distal with higher values for Group I as compared to Group II.

CONCLUSION: From the study, it can be concluded that cholecalciferol has systemic effects on accelerating bone formation around titanium implant.