Correlation of Serum Vitamin D with Crestal Bone Level in Dental Implant Patients Using CBCT: A Clinical Retrospective Study.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to correlate the role of serum vitamin D levels associated with crestal bone in dental implant patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This retrospective study enrolled patients among whom implants were placed after a detailed planning using CBCT and the delayed loading protocol was followed. After 3 months and 6 months of loading, CBCT evaluations were carried out, serum vitamin D levels were also tested at the end of 6 months of loading. A total of 30 patients were recruited with 15 patients in each group based on normal and deficient levels of vitamin D to correlate with crestal bone levels using CBCT. Clinically acceptable crestal bone loss (CBL) was visible with all the implants at different time intervals. Statistical analysis was done for intergroup and intragroup comparisons which showed significant p-value (< 0.05) for CBL at the time of loading, at 3 months, and at 6 months follow-up for both normal and deficient serum values. In the deficient group, the mean value at baseline was 9.69 mm ± 1.10 and the CBL at 6 months follow-up was 8.80 mm ± 1.10 whereas for the normal group at baseline, the mean was 9.08 mm ± 1.21 and at 6 months follow-up was 8.12 mm ± 1.25 which showed meaningful difference. There is a positive correlation seen between CBL on CBCT and vitamin D serum levels. The success of the implant is significantly affected by vitamin D as it regulates the bone physiology and has systemic effects on accelerating bone formation around titanium implants. Vitamin D is essential in maintaining the balance of bone minerals and assists to preserve the crestal bone level making the implant treatment more predictable and successful.