Oral Rehabilitation of Down Syndrome Patients by Dental Implants: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Down Syndrome patients are a particularly vulnerable group to teeth loss and periodontal disease. Therefore, the need for prosthetic rehabilitation is only a matter of time. The aim of this systematic review is to assess and summarize the available literature regarding the outcome of dental implants in patients with Down Syndrome. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was performed in Pubmed-Medline, Lilacs, and Cochrane Library. Search terms used were: “dental implant” OR “implant rehabilitation” AND “down syndrome”. Articles reporting the placement of implants in patients with down syndrome up until 2022 were included.  Results: A total of 15 studies (10 case reports, 4 retrospective studies and 1 prospective study) comprising 234 implants placed in 61 patients were included. Implant failure occurred for 45 implants, leading to a survival rate of 80.7%. 12 studies out of 15 reported their results after a follow up period of 6 months to 4 years.  Conclusion: The limited body of evidence suggests a survival rate of implants in Down Syndrome patients that is lower than among the general population. While several risk factors could explain these failures, there is still much to be answered regarding the mechanisms leading to implant rejection. A careful approach by dental practitioners should be the norm until better designed future studies with longer follow up periods can further shed light on the outcomes of implant therapy in Down Syndrome patients.