Are Dental Implants Right for People with Diabetes?
There are many restorative dentistry treatments that can be performed to address tooth loss. However, most dentists agree that none are superior to dental implants. Dental implants replace the crown and roots of a tooth to restore oral functions comfortably and securely.
Dental implants offer many benefits over other tooth loss treatments, but they are not always suitable for every patient. Here, Dr. Jose Valenzuela, Jr., of Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center in Los Algodones, Mexico, and Mexicali, discusses how diabetes can affect dental implant success, and whether individuals with diabetes can still be ideal candidates for this advanced treatment.
How Can Diabetes Affect Dental Implant Treatment?
Depending on certain health factors, diabetes may increase the risk of dental implant complications, which can ultimately compromise the success of implant treatment.
To understand how diabetes can interfere with implant success we must first explain the implant healing process. Dental implants are surgically placed through the gums and into the bone of the jaw. As the body heals, bone tissues fuse around the implant, ultimately making it a part of the jaw. This process, which is known as osseointegration, is key to dental implant success.
Diabetes, and uncontrolled diabetes in particular, interferes with wound healing. The natural healing process is slowed down and the body’s ability to fight off infection is impacted as well. If healing takes place at a slower rate, osseointegration may not occur, so implant treatment may not be a success. Similarly, if an infection develops, fusion may not occur and dental implants could fail.
Considerations for Diabetics Pursuing Dental Implant Treatment
A patient is not excluded as a dental implant candidate because they have diabetes. Dental implant treatment can be a success for diabetics, provided that certain conditions are met. We consider several factors to determine if dental implant treatment is right for our Los Algodones patients who suffer from diabetes.
Does the patient have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is often a little more difficult to control, which means it is harder to keep sugars at an appropriate level. Because of this, the risk of dental implant complications is slightly higher for patients with type 1 diabetes than it is for patients with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes patients may still be able to receive dental implants, but we are likely to more closely examine the patient’s medical and oral health history to better predict the likelihood of treatment success.
Is diabetes under control?
The most important consideration for diabetic patients considering dental implant treatment is whether their diabetes is under control. If blood sugar levels are steady and are being controlled through diet or medication, dental implant treatment should likely be a success. Many studies have shown that individuals with controlled diabetes have no increased risk of dental implant complications.
Is the patient generally healthy?
Whether a patient has diabetes or not their general and oral health must be taken into consideration when determining dental implant candidacy. Patients must be free of conditions that could interfere with dental implant success and must have sufficient bone density to support the placement of the implants.
Learn More
If you are a diabetic who has experienced adult tooth loss, and you are wondering if dental implant treatment is right for you, Dr. Jose Valenzuela, Jr. would be happy to provide a personal consultation. To get the process started, send us a message online, or call our dental center at (928) 792-2156.
