Are dental implants impossible for women who have had bone loss in their jaws due to the use of meds for osteoporosis and the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Dental implants are an elective treatment modality. As in, they are not urgently and compulsarily required. There are substitutes available for them.

Dental implant surgery requires an efficient immune system, coagulative system, and reparative system. There are myriad of factors, which can disrupt either of these systems. Also, the recepient bone needs to be of a good density too.

The integration of dental implants with the bone requires a good vascular supply, normal functioning osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells, and a sound reparative capacity of the body.

Certain systemic conditions and medications alter the physiologic processes, leading to delayed or non-integration of dental implants. Such conditions may also predispose the patient towards early implant failure.

There are investigations available to find out if the systemic processes are in a physiologic state or not. If yes, and if the status can be maintained for long, implants can be done. If not, then it is better to go for substitutes or alternative treatment modalities, such as bridges and removable partial or complete dentures.

  Ref: Smiti