Clearwater Dental Implant Specialist Dr. Todd Britten discusses latest research on dental implant success

CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dr. Todd Britten is a dental implant specialist in Clearwater, Florida, who says dental implants are being placed in more patients than ever before. Certain medications or existing medical conditions can make implant success a challenge, and careful planning is more important than ever, says Dr. Britten. It is widely known that implant complications are more likely to occur in patients who have a history of smoking, diabetes or patients taking bisphosphonate prescription drugs. (Bisphosphonate drugs such as Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva, and Reclast or Zometa are used for people with osteoporosis, Paget's disease, multiple myeloma, primary hyperparathyroidism, or other conditions that exhibit bone fragility.)

With smokers, Dr. Britten says that current evidence indicates that there is a higher risk of implant failure directly related to smoking history, such as number of years, packs per day and cigarettes per day. Dr. Britten says that smokers are encouraged to stop smoking permanently if possible, and if not, at least 2-6 weeks prior to dental implant placement and eight weeks following placement. According to Spear Digest and Dr. Hunter Dawson, "A systematic review of 6,283 implants included the frequency of peri-implant mucositis at 30.7% and peri-implantitis was 9.6%. This frequency estimate increased to 36.3% for smokers."

In addition to smoking, a history of periodontal disease can also put patients at a higher risk for implant failure. Regular care in the dental hygiene chair (often increased to 3 to 4 month dental cleanings) and close monitoring of the implants with yearly x-ray examination of the implant is encouraged. Dr. Britten states that there is a high prevalence of peri-implant disease in patients that do not continue supportive hygiene maintenance following implant placement.

Recent studies are even now indicating two other classes of drugs that may contribute to implant complications. These are Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which showed an increase in failure rates by 4.3% as well as drugs used for mental illness such as anxiety and depression, particularly serotonin reuptake inhibitors which showed an estimated a 7.5% associated failure rate.

"It is very important to me that we carefully determine our patient's health and lifestyle to help avoid any potential implant complications and to most carefully plan for their care. This way, we can work together to avoid implant complications. I also stress to patients that they commit to a lifetime of supportive or maintenance care to protect their investment of dental implants. With careful planning and care, many dental implants last for decades, and even a lifetime, and that is always our hope!"

Dr. Britten states being a dental implant specialist has provided him the training to carefully consider any and all the risks involved in treatment planning for dental implant patients. "Dental implants today are not only considered the gold standard of care for tooth replacement, but are usually now considered to be the superior or ideal treatment option for damaged or lost teeth," Dr. Britten said. "I am excited about the many advancements in implant planning, placement and technology."

Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Master's Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association.

To learn more about Dr. Britten and his dental implant or periodontal services, call (727) 586-2681 or visit http://www.brittenperio.com.

SOURCE Britten Periodontics