Osteoporosis and Bisphosphonate-related Osteonecrosis in a Dental School Implant Patient Population

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to calculate the risk of dental implant loss and the incidence of BRONJ in patients with osteoporosis at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD).
Methods: This study analyzed data collected from patients who had implants placed between 2000 and 2004 as part of the Implant Quality Assurance Program.
Results: Among 203 patients who received 515 implants, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 23.3% for women and 1.2% for men. None of the 20 patients who reported a history of oral BP use exhibited BRONJ, and there were no implant failures in patients with a history of osteoporosis.

Conclusions: Osteoporosis conferred no risk of implant failure, and oral BP therapy was not associated with BRONJ. The prevalence of osteoporosis in female patients in this population was significantly higher than the national rate.