The possible impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental implant therapy: narrative review

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 has challenged the professions and Implantology also has its challenges in the pandemic. Several factors can interfere with the osseointegration process and more associated factors, greater the interference risks. Risk assessment in the therapy indication is the main decision to define the best technique, the best biomaterial, the best surgical access and the best moment to intervene. The purpose of this review was to investigate and synthesize the scientific evidence on the factors that may interfere with dental implant therapy in the midst of pandemic. The literature was reviewed in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Sciello and Google Scholar using the keywords “COVID-19”, “pandemic”, “risk factors”, “impact factor”, “dental implants”, “dentistry”, “oral health”, “osseointegration”, “bone metabolism”, “drug risk factors”, “chronic stress”, “antidepressants”, “zinc”, “hydroxychloroquine”, “ivermectin”, “vitamins”, “corticosteroids”, “surgical risks” and “disinfection”. The present review showed that chronic stress and depression caused by the pandemic, the consequent use of antidepressants, the use of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs such zinc, vitamin D, hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids, can interfere with bone metabolism and consequently in osseointegration establishment and/or maintenance. Any osseointegrable biomaterial can be influenced by systemic factors and drugs’ actions that can affect the homeostasis of the inflammatory process, cell proliferation and bone remodeling. These factors’ influence on dental implant therapy should be investigated through new reviews, observational studies and randomized clinical trial.