How Does Vitamin D Boost Dental Implant Success?

If you need to replace one or more missing teeth, then dental implants may be your best option. Not only will they restore the look and function of your smile, but they’ll also preserve your jawbone and prevent further tooth loss. While these restorations typically have a success rate of 95% or more, it doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to failure. Keep reading to learn how vitamin D is essential for dental implants and how to get it!

The Importance of Vitamin D for Dental Implants

For dental implants to work, you’ll need to have healthy bones, teeth, and gums. One of the most important nutrients for you is vitamin D, which helps your body in regulating phosphate and calcium levels. Without a sufficient amount, you could end up at risk of being calcium deficient, increasing your chances of developing serious oral health issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease. The last thing you’d want is for your gums to be infected and inflamed, as this can make it more likely for your dental implants to fail in the long run. Vitamin D deficiency is also related to other health problems that can affect your overall well-being, like osteoporosis, depression, muscle atrophy, and cancer.

What Is the Best Way to Get Vitamin D?

Since vitamin D is crucial for the success of your dental implants, you’ll want to get as much of it as you can. The best way to do this is by absorbing the nutrient from sunlight. Simply by spending ample amounts of time outside, you’ll be able to receive the calcium and phosphate your body needs to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and bone tissue. However, the length of time necessary to absorb sunlight may vary between people, as every person’s skin tone receives the sun’s rays at different paces. The more melanin there is, the more protected the skin is from overexposure. For this reason, those with darker complexions may need 30 minutes to a couple of hours of sunlight to get vitamin D compared to people with lighter complexions who might require only 10 to 30 minutes several times a week.

How Else Can You Get Vitamin D?

While sunlight is an essential way to absorb vitamin D, you can also get this nutrient in the following ways:

• Portabella mushrooms
• Egg yolks
• Fatty fish and seafood
• Fortified cow’s milk
• Dietary supplements
• UV lamps

Vitamin D is an important nutrient to have if you’re going to get dental implants. By spending plenty of time in the sun, you’ll be able to boost the success of your restorations so that you can enjoy your full smile again!

About the Author

Dr. Brad McConnell earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry and has been delivering outstanding care for over four decades. He’s also a member of the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He offers a wide range of comprehensive services, including dental implants. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call 817-423-2223.