Can a Diabetic Get Dental Implants?

After losing teeth, dental experts recommend replacing them as soon as possible to restore your smile and bite function. Replacing lost teeth prevents jawbone deterioration, collapsed facial muscles, and drifting of the adjacent teeth.

Dental implants are the closest to your natural teeth when considering replacement treatments. Dental implants are implanted into the jawbone, providing excellent strength, stability, and natural appearance.

While implants are safe and effective, only some are eligible for the treatment. For instance, dental implant surgery poses some risks to individuals with underlying health conditions like diabetes.  In this article, let’s learn how diabetes might affect your ability to qualify for dental implants.

The Dental Implants Procedure

Before getting dental implants in Chestnut Hill, MA, our dentist begins by examining and taking x-rays and images of your mouth to determine whether you’re eligible for the procedure. You must have healthy gum and sufficient jawbone density to qualify for dental implant surgery.

Dental implant treatment requires several appointments. On the first appointment, the dentist will administer an anesthetic to prevent pain during the surgery. Next, the dentist drills through the jawbone and inserts an implant post. The jawbone should heal around the implant and fuse together permanently. This process is called osseointegration and takes about 3 – 6 months.

After complete healing, the dentist will place an abutment on the implant. It connects the implant to the exterior restoration. Lastly, the dentist places a restoration crown that acts like an artificial tooth. The implant post acts like natural teeth roots. Instead of a crown, the dentist can also use a bridge or denture.

Dental Implants and Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious health condition that results in too much sugar or glucose levels in the blood. If you have diabetes, getting dental implants comes with potential risks. According to research, people with diabetes have a higher risk of complications with dental implants than those who are otherwise healthy.

For starters, diabetes affects the body’s natural wound-healing process. It might take twice longer to recover from implant surgery and other invasive treatments. This delayed healing encourages inflammations and infections around the implant.

Similarly, diabetes can result in high sugars in the saliva and gums, encouraging bacteria growth in the mouth and increasing your risk of infections. High sugar levels in the blood also weaken the body’s defense system against infections. Delayed healing and a weakened immune system significantly affect osseointegration, increasing your risk of implant failure. Implant failure can lead to further infections, surgical procedures, and longer recovery.

So, are Dental Implants Safe for Diabetics?

Being diabetic only increases your risk of infections and implant failure. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t qualify for implants. Research shows that people with controlled diabetes could have the same success with implant surgery as non-diabetics.

Practical tips to improve your chances of getting dental implants with diabetes include:

• Manage your diabetes. Keeping your blood sugars under control is your best way to qualify for dental implants. It’s also beneficial for your oral and overall well-being. Exercising, taking medication, and eating a diabetic-friendly diet can help keep your blood sugars regular.
• Excellent oral hygiene. Even for non-diabetics, poor oral hygiene can lead to implant failure and other oral complications. Brushing twice daily and flossing daily can keep your mouth healthy and improve your chances of qualifying for implants.
• Good oral and general health. Underlying oral and health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and heart disease can disqualify you from dental implants. Seeking medical care for these issues will keep your mouth and body healthy, bettering your chances of qualifying for dental implants.
• Routine dental checkups and cleanings. People with diabetes are at a greater risk of oral issues like decay, gum disease, halitosis, and dry mouth. Regular checkups and cleanings help prevent and treat these issues early, helping you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile and leading to successful implant surgery.

Final Verdict

If your diabetes is well-managed and you have good oral and general health, you have a better chance of qualifying for dental implants. For more information about dental implants for diabetics, contact Hammond Pond Dental Group.