A new review suggests that vitamin D levels could play a significant role in the success of dental implants. According to research published in Periodontology 2000, vitamin D deficiency may hinder bone formation and reduce bone-to-implant contact, while supplementation may improve implant osseointegration.
The authors, led by Richard J. Miron of the University of Bern in Switzerland, emphasized the potential impact of vitamin D on early implant failure. “The findings of this systematic review indicate a modest but clinically relevant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and early implant failure,” they wrote (Periodontol 2000, October 30, 2025).
The review analyzed both animal and human studies exploring the connection between vitamin D levels and implant osseointegration. Researchers considered studies published up to May 15, 2025, identifying 151 publications. Of these, 43 met the inclusion criteria, including 16 animal studies and 27 human studies.
Study Focus and Findings
The primary goal of the review was to examine how vitamin D affects implant survival and bone-to-implant contact.
Secondary measures included peri-implant clinical and radiographic outcomes, such as probing depths, implant stability, and bone density.
Results showed that 13 of the 16 animal studies reported a positive effect of vitamin D on implant osseointegration. Among the 27 human studies—which included case reports, retrospective studies, prospective case series, controlled trials, and randomized clinical trials—22 found that adequate vitamin D levels enhanced osseointegration and lowered the risk of early implant failure.
Patients with vitamin D deficiency experienced higher rates of early implant failure. In contrast, presurgical vitamin D3 supplementation improved bone-implant contact, preserved peri-implant bone, and reduced failure rates—even among high-risk patients, such as those with diabetes. Groups deficient in vitamin D consistently showed worse outcomes in implant-related measures, including probing depths, marginal bone levels, and implant stability.
Limitations And Recommendations
The authors noted limitations, including variability in study designs, vitamin D assessments, definitions of sufficiency, and osseointegration measures, which could introduce bias.
Despite these limitations, the review highlights the potential benefits of screening and supplementing vitamin D before implant procedures. “Implementing a preoperative screening and supplementation approach for at-risk patients may enhance both initial osseointegration and long-term implant survival rates,” Miron and colleagues concluded.
As dental professionals seek to improve implant outcomes, further research is needed to determine optimal vitamin D levels, dosage, and timing for supplementation to maximize implant success.