The Role of Vitamin D in Implant Success

Vitamin D is a multifunctional hormone that is mostly produced in the skin following exposure to ultraviolet B sunlight. It coordinates the physiological functions by controlling calcium and phosphate metabolism, promotes growth, and induces necessary remodeling of the bones and teeth. As known high serum vitamin D levels have beneficial effects on oral health and that exposure to safe sunlight can reduce the risk of periodontal disease and thus affect implant success. In order to prove this hypothesis, we conducted a detailed literature review. In the literature review, 3 clinical studies and 2 case reports of implant and vitamin D were found. Although vitamin D is highly correlated with bone metabolism, and expected a very close relationship with implant success, a large number of experimental studies and few clinical studies unfortunately showed contradictory results and no direct studies showing vitamin D and implant success were found. Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate the existence or absence of this relationship by conducting much broader studies.