Not everyone will make the best candidate for dental implants. A diabetic patient may worry that they won't be able to replace their missing teeth through implants. Here's everything you need to know to work out if you can get them as a diabetic.
You're More Prone to Infections
Those who suffer from any type of diabetes are at a higher risk of developing an infection. This is why many dentists shy away from considering dental implants for you. An infection within the mouth leads to the possibility of the implants failing. Infections also cause problems for the gums and jaw, leading to further health issues.
Implants do require some minor surgery. Due to your higher-than-normal glucose levels, your blood vessels will be damaged, narrow, and stiff. There is a higher risk of inflammation and dentists worry that diabetics won't recover quickly enough.
That Doesn't Mean You Can't Get Dental Implants
With research and studies showing positive signs, not all diabetic patients are ruled out from getting these types of false teeth. Dr. Thomas W. Oates found with studies that those who had their diabetes under control would be able to sustain the surgery required for dental implants, according to Dear Doctor. The diabetes would have no negative effects in the future, either.
However, those who don't yet have their diabetes under control or have problems with healing will be recommended to get other dental treatments. Those who had no control at all over their diabetes weren't considered in the study, but there are high chances that they wouldn't be good candidates.
It's Not Just About the Diabetes
The type of diabetes that you have will not affect your eligibility. It is all about how you control it. That being said, Type 1 diabetes isn't as easy to control as Type 2 diabetes. Those with Type 1 may not be recommended to get implants by their dentist because of this fact according to Friedman Dental Group.
The time that has passed since being diagnosed will also affect your chances of getting implants. Those who have been living with it longer may find their disease harder to control compared to someone who is newly diagnosed. Your overall health will also be considered. If you have gum disease, your dentist may decide that you're not a candidate. The last thing your dentist wants is to cause an infection that could affect your overall health negatively.
Just because you're a diabetic doesn't mean you can't have dental implants. Your dentist will take it all on a case by case basis, looking into the type of diabetes you have and how well you have it under control. Your dentist will want to discuss the risks associated with implants to make sure overall you are an ideal candidate.
Share29 November 2016
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.