Dental Implant Healing in Patients Taking Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Alpha Inhibitors

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating healing after dental implant placement in adults missing teeth who are either taking or not taking TNF-alpha inhibitor drugs, a class of biologic medications. The study aims to find out if patients on TNF-alpha inhibitors have more complications or experience increased pain compared to those not on these drugs. The study will recruit 30 patients total, half on stable doses of TNF-alpha inhibitors and half matched by age and sex not taking these drugs, excluding those with periodontal disease or recent tobacco use due to their impact on implant outcomes. Participants will receive the same type of dental implant (NobelParallel TiUltra 3.75x11.5) and healing abutment placed by standard surgical methods. Follow-up will last 12 months, including clinical exams, pain rating diaries, analgesic use records, periodontal probing, and multiple radiographs such as CBCT scans immediately after implant placement and at 6 months, plus periapical radiographs at 6 and 12 months. Blood samples will be collected throughout to monitor inflammation markers. During the one-year study, patients will attend visits at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months to assess implant healing and pain levels. Researchers will track safety of implant placement and monitor bone quality and implant status using clinical exams and imaging. Pain will be measured with patient-reported scales and analgesic consumption. Patients completing all visits will have their implant surgery costs covered and receive compensation for their time at some visits. The study is sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania and aims to improve understanding of implant healing with TNF-alpha inhibitor use.

Dental Implant Healing With TNF-Alpha Inhibitors