If you have osteoporosis or a different condition that affects your bones, then you may be taking bisphosphonate medication. Bisphosphonates are often prescribed to help slow down bone loss and improve bone density in these kinds of conditions 

However, you may have heard that this kind of medication can affect the success of a dental implant. Does this mean that an implant won't work for you?

How Bisphosphonates Affect Your Bones

Bisphosphonates can help people who suffer from conditions like osteoporosis. They slow down the detrimental effects that these conditions can have on your bones. For example, they reduce the amount of bone loss you may have in the future and help keep your bones strong.

You need stable bone at the site of a dental implant, so these medications may help ensure you have this. However, because of the way that bisphosphonates work, you may find that your drugs affect how you heal after an implant. They may slow down the way bone heals and grows around an implant site.

How Bisphosphonates Affect Implant Success

The fact that you take bisphosphonates doesn't necessarily mean that you can't have a dental implant or that the implant won't work. You do, however, need to tell your dentist about your medication in some detail so that they can mitigate against any possible negative side effects that might affect the success of the procedure.

So, your dentist may ask how long you've been taking these medications and at what dosage. They may also want to know more about your condition and any effects it may have had on your bones in the past.

Your dentist will also X-ray the implant area to check on the condition of the bone at the moment. If they think you are good to go with an implant, then they may put together a special care program to compensate for the medications you take during the recovery process.

For example, you may be asked to take antibiotics before and after the implant goes in to make sure that you get extra protection against infections. Your dentist may also ask you to use a special mouthwash during these periods and to take special care of your teeth until the implant site has gone through its initial healing process.

To find out more about how bisphosphonates might affect dental implants, the healing process and the care you'll need to maximise your chances of success, talk to a dentist.