Dental Implants and Diabetes
Patients who have missing teeth in addition to diabetes would benefit greatly from having dental implants placed instead of traditional dentures. Permanent dental implants, unlike traditional dentures, will improve a diabetic individual’s ability to eat a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fresh, whole foods due to the implant restoring the strength of their chewing force. Diabetic patients with traditional dentures are much more likely to eat the wrong types of foods because eating these foods is much more comfortable and do not cause irritation. When diabetic patients get stuck in this type of cycle, it can be extremely difficult to keep their blood sugar levels in check. By expanding the types of foods you can eat as well as your ability to chew those foods properly, you will receive better overall nutrition, which will help you better manage your diabetes.
Additional benefits to having dental implants placed instead of traditional dentures includes a reduction in the likelihood of infections, irritation, and inflammation. You also reduce your risk of developing additional oral and physical health issues that have been linked to periodontal disease. One thing to keep in mind is that, as a person with diabetes, you may require special care before and following placement of your dental implant to ensure the implant is successful and to avoid developing complications. Provided your diabetes is under control and you follow all pre or post procedural instructions, you should have great success in having dental implants placed.
Why Is It Important For My Diabetes to Be Under Control?
Patients who have uncontrolled diabetes are much more likely to experience implant failure and/or post-procedural infection. This is largely due to the fact that patients with diabetes have a slower healing process, and patients whose diabetes is not under control will have a more difficult time healing. As such, it may be necessary for you to first work with your internist to make sure your diabetes is under control before a dental implant can be placed. Provided your diabetes is under control and you comply with the pre and post-procedural guidelines, you are most likely a good candidate for dental implants and have a very low risk of experiencing implant failure or complications. In fact, studies indicate that patients with controlled diabetes are at no greater risk of developing complications compared to non-diabetic patients, although patients whose diabetes are not under control have statistically higher rates of implant failure and post-procedure infection.
Factors That May Inhibit Your Ability to Get Dental Implants
While dental implants provide a strong and durable solution, unfortunately not all individual’s are viable candidates for this procedure. One factor that may determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants is whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Patients who have Type 1 diabetes are at a slightly higher risk of experiencing implant failure or complications compared to patients with Type 2 diabetes. This does not, however, mean that having Type 1 diabetes precludes you from treatment, it simply means that your oral surgeon will have to perform a more thorough assessment of your current health and health history to develop a treatment and recovery timeline that is designed to meet your specific needs.
Another factor that may determine your candidacy and level of risk is your age and how long you have had diabetes. Older diabetic patients who have had diabetes for a long time will have a slower healing process and be more prone to infections compared to older patients recently diagnosed with diabetes and/or younger patients. For this reason, it is encouraged that patients with diabetes who are considering dental implants should have the procedure performed as quickly as possible.
Additional factors that need to be considered include:
- Whether you have existing periodontal or gum disease
- If you have enough bone density to support a dental implant
- Your level of commitment to complying with post-procedural aftercare instructions, both during the healing process and beyond
- Lifestyle habits, like whether you are a smoker or what type of oral hygiene habits you have. If you are a smoker or not committed to taking good care of your implants, you may not be the best candidate for this procedure.
- Whether you have taken bisphosphate medications or been treated for oral cancer
- If you have any additional underlying health conditions that will inhibit your ability to heal
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have diabetes and are wondering what impact this may have on your viability to get dental implants or what increased risks you may have, contact your periodontist today. During this evaluation, all of these considerations will be discussed, and they will perform a thorough evaluation to determine your candidacy and develop a unique treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
During this appointment, be sure to address any concerns you may have regarding the procedure. If you are concerned about whether you are healthy enough to have dental implants placed, ask your periodontist whether these concerns are founded or if you they will have no impact.
This appointment is also a good opportunity to ask non-diabetic related questions about the procedure. For example, if you are concerned about whether you will be able to afford dental implants, ask your periodontist if they offer financing options or have any recommendations for how you might cover the cost. Or if you are concerned about the amount of pain or discomfort you may feel during or after the procedure or that you will have difficulty remaining still in a chair for extended periods of time, ask what type of dental sedation options they provide to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
In addition to performing procedures to improve your oral health, your periodontist is also an invaluable resource for information and consultation, so it is important that you have all of your questions addressed in order to make an informed decision. It is also important that you provide your periodontist with any updates to your physical health and a current list of medications you are taking to ensure you receive optimal care tailored to your unique needs.