Dental Implants and Diabetes
If you have been recently considering tooth replacement solutions, you may be wondering if dental implants are the right choice for you. You may be surprised to hear that dental implants are a safe tooth replacement solution for almost everyone, even patients with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes. Not only are dental implants safe for patients with diabetes, but the implants can also help improve the patient’s oral health. Below are more details on dental implants for individuals with diabetes, including tips on who may be eligible and the benefits of dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant will act like the root of the new tooth, offering stability and security. Dental implants offer improved comfort, durability, and stability over the alternative tooth replacement options available. A several month healing period is required after the implant installation surgery. During this healing period the implant will fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. After the healing period an abutment and artificial crown can be securely attached to the top of the implant.
Does Having Diabetes Impact a Patient’s Eligibility For Dental Implants?
Fortunately, having diabetes is not a barrier preventing a patient from being eligible for dental implant treatment. When diabetes is well-managed and under control the treatment can be just as safe and successful as it is for a patient without diabetes. However, before a dentist will agree to a dental implant treatment plan for a patient with diabetes, there will be some important factors that must be considered, including:
* Is the patient’s diabetes under control? Research supports the risk of complications or implant failure is exactly the same for patients with well-managed diabetes as it is for patients without diabetes. However, having uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of the patient having both post-procedure infection as well as implant failure.
* Does the patient have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Generally, type 1 diabetes can be more challenging to control than type 2 diabetes. Therefore, patients with type 1 diabetes may have a slightly higher risk of complications than patients with type 2 diabetes. While this doesn’t make patients with type 1 diabetes ineligible for dental implants, these patients may have to discuss their health in greater detail with their oral surgeon. The surgeon will want to fully review the patient’s medical history and dental records, assessing their overall health and their past history of infection.
* What is the individual’s healing process? The success of the dental implant treatment depends heavily on the body’s natural healing ability. After the implant surgery, a healing period is required to allow time for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. This healing period also allows time for the gums to heal. What makes dental implants a more permanent solution than bridges or conventional dentures is the stability and security that results from the implant fusing securely to the bone. The body’s healing process can be much slower for patients with diabetes, especially patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with diabetes who are interested in dental implant treatment should strongly consider working with their physician to get their diabetes under control before they commit to dental implant treatment.
* What is the patient’s general health? Despite what many think, a patient’s general health matters more to the success of their dental implant than their age. There are numerous health conditions that a dentist will want to be aware of that can severely complicate dental implant treatment, including:
* Pre-existing gum or periodontal disease
* Low bone density or poor bone health
* Other issues that may challenge the post-implant healing period
* Smoking: cigarette or cigar smoking will delay the healing of the gums and bone tissue. On top of delayed healing, the sucking action involved in smoking can compromise the healing of the implants
* Pre-existing oral cancer or oral cancer treatment can complicate implant treatment success* Any other health condition that compromises the body’s healing ability
During the initial implant consultation appointment, the dentist and/or oral surgeon will want to discuss the patient’s overall health and if the patient has any of these conditions. Fortunately, many providers will also consider working with patients who are initially unable to move forward with implant treatment and help them develop a plan to work toward to eventually get the dental implants they desire.
Benefits of Dental Implants
For patients with diabetes, dental implants offer many benefits beyond just replacement teeth. Some of the major benefits of dental implants for patients with diabetes include:
* Restoring eating and speaking function that may be lost with missing teeth.
* Enhancing the appearance of the smile
* Ability to maintain a well-balanced diet: Implants can help patients eat fresh, whole foods they may not be able to eat with conventional dentures.
* Reducing irritation: Conventional dentures commonly cause inflammation, irritation and possibly infection. Dental implants can eliminate unnecessary irritation.
* Improved comfort: Conventional dentures are prone to shifting and slipping in the mouth which can cause discomfort. Due to their secure installation in the jawbone, dental implants offer a more stable and comfortable fit in the mouth.
* Ease of care: Up front, dentures and bridges are an affordable and quick tooth replacement solution. But many of these affordable options require extensive daily maintenance. Dental implants may not be as quick of a solution upfront, but after the treatment procedure they will only require daily brushing and flossing.
* Improved Quality of Life: Dental implants improve the quality of patient’s life in many ways. Patients with implants experience increased confidence, restored chewing and speaking function, and less discomfort and irritation, all of which improve their quality of life.
If you have diabetes and are interested in dental implants, you should start by having a conversation with your dental provider. Your provider will want to have a detailed conversation prior to committing to an implant treatment plan. For patients with diabetes, dental implants offer many benefits to improve overall quality of life.