The Impact of LDL Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and Vitamin D on Short-Term Implant Survival Rate: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Dental implant success is influenced by a range of systemic and local factors. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic markers such as lipid profiles and vitamin D levels may play a role in osseointegration and implant survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and vitamin D levels on the short-term survival rate of dental implants. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on patients receiving dental implants. Preoperative serum levels of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and vitamin D were recorded. A total of 556 conical, platform-switching implants were placed in 166 patients, smokers and no smokers with mean age 48 years ± 4.7. Implant survival was evaluated from 14 to 21 days after placement, at 6- and at a 12-month follow-up. Spearman's rank correlation was performed to assess potential correlations between the abovementioned systemic factors and implant loss. Results: Out of 556 implants, 13 (2.34%) were lost from 14 to 21 days after placement, a further two (0.35%) were lost after 6 months after surgery and a further eight (1.44%) were lost 12 months after placement. No significant correlation was found between HDL levels, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and implant loss. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between vitamin D levels and implant loss with no statistical significance. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, no statistically significant associations were found between lipid profile markers or vitamin D levels and early dental implant loss. Further large-scale and long-term studies are warranted to validate these findings and better understand the interplay between systemic biochemical markers and implant survival rate.

Keywords: cholesterol; dental implants; implant survival rate; triglycerides; vitamin D.