Diabetes affects over 8% of the entire US population. If you or someone you know is one of them, please know that there are additional risks diabetics face when they undergo medical and dental procedures. While oral surgeries such as dental implants pose little risk on their own, some diabetic patients may face an additional possibility of implant failure or complication, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that diabetes and dental implants are an impossible combination.
Does Diabetes Pose an Additional Risk for Dental Implant Patients?
Besides blood sugar problems, diabetes can lead to infection, pain and other complications in the gums, jaw and teeth. These can lead to gum disease which in turn make diabetes harder to control.
Additionally, diabetes impairs the body’s natural healing processes. While this does not disqualify patients in getting dental implants, it is certainly worth considering before undergoing treatment.
Can Those with Diabetes Be Candidates for Dental Implants?
It has been reported that there is a slightly higher failure rate for dental implants in patients with diabetes compared with populations without diabetes [Diabetes & Metabolism 2012 Jan; 38 (1):1 4-9]. However, a study from the Journal of Dental Implants [2012 Oct; 2 (2): 83-87] have some very revealing information on a study regarding the influence of diabetes on surgically placed dental implants.
This study reports on the results of placing implants in 34 patients with diabetes who were treated with 127 implants. These patients were individuals whose diabetes was considered medically to be under control. The results culminated in a success rate of 94.3 percent. These results indicate that a high success rate when dental implants are placed in diabetic patients whose disease is under control is achievable.
If you have diabetes and have considered getting dental implants, don’t let diabetes keep you from getting the help that you need. Together with your medical doctor, your dentist will help manage the outcome of your dental implant procedure.
Learn More About Diabetes and Dental Implants: Schedule a Consultation
Diabetes does not have to ruin your opportunity to have a beautiful smile.
To learn more about the relationship between dental implants and diabetes, please contact Indianapolis Dentistry today. Dr. Reese has done over 1,000 dental implants and will work with your medical doctor to help you gain the best control possible of your diabetes and schedule the procedure at the proper time to ensure its success. Our office is located on US 31 in Southport just north of Greenwood, Indiana in Indianapolis.
Under the care of Dr. Reese and his qualified dental staff, diabetics will be carefully monitored throughout their treatment to ensure the greatest possibility of success. Since we also practice holistic dentistry, we will help you understand what you can do to further promote and ensure the success of your procedure and make your dental implants last. These include lifestyle changes that will help you manage your disease better.