Living with missing teeth can be a challenge, however, missing teeth with diabetes presents unique challenges in terms of maintaining good oral health. While dental implants are effective in resolving missing teeth issues, not everyone is a good candidate for them. People with diabetes, for instance, run a few risks when it comes to implant dentistry.
Let’s consider how diabetes can affect your ability to get implants and whether or not this is a viable treatment option for diabetics.
How Does Diabetes Have An Impact On Your Oral Health?
High blood sugar levels can weaken the body’s ability to fight off bacterial infections, making individuals with diabetes more susceptible to gum disease. Certain medications used to control diabetes can also contribute to tooth decay leading to poor dental health, gum disease and potential tooth loss.
Gum disease is a serious condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, ultimately leading to tooth loss if left untreated. Diabetes can also impair the healing process, making it more challenging for the gums and other oral tissues to recover from infections or dental procedures.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth or dental prostheses. They provide a stable foundation for artificial teeth, allowing you to restore your smile, oral function, and self-confidence. Unlike other tooth replacement options, such as dentures or dental bridges, dental implants offer a long-lasting and permanent solution that closely mimics the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
Unlike dentures, implants do not require adhesives and won’t slip or move during eating or speaking. The implants also help preserve the integrity of the jawbone by stimulating bone growth and preventing bone loss, which commonly occurs with missing teeth.
How Does Diabetes Affect Dental Surgery?
Diabetes can potentially affect implants in several ways:
Delayed Healing
Diabetes can impair your body’s ability to heal properly. This can extend the duration of the healing phase after implant surgery, as the integration of the implants with the jawbone requires adequate healing.
Increased Risk of Infection
If you have diabetes you have a higher susceptibility to infections due to compromised immune function. Following implant surgery, the risk of infection at the surgical site may be heightened.
Gum Disease
Diabetes is associated with a higher prevalence of gum disease. Gum disease can affect the stability of your implants by weakening the supporting tissues, including the gums and underlying bone.
Poor Bone Quality
Diabetes can lead to decreased bone density and impaired bone regeneration. Insufficient bone quality or quantity in the jaw can lead to challenges for your implant placement.
Difficulty in Blood Sugar Control
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for successful implant integration and overall oral health. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can affect your body’s healing capacity and increase the risk of infection and complications during the implantation process.
Am I The Right Candidate For Dental Implants?
When considering implants, you will receive a comprehensive dental and medical evaluation to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.
This evaluation considers various factors, including oral health, bone density, and gum condition.
One of the main factors to assess is your control of the disease and your overall health. Stable blood sugar levels and well-managed diabetes play a significant role in the success and longevity of implants.
Dr Ayad will work closely with your endocrinologist to ensure that your diabetes is under control and that your overall health supports the implantation process. By carefully evaluating these factors Dr Ayad will be able to determine if implants are a suitable option for you, ensuring the best possible outcome and long-term success of the treatment.
Long-term Maintenance and Follow-up Care
Long-term maintenance and follow-up care after an implant procedure, particularly if you have diabetes, is crucial for ensuring the longevity and success of the implants. Regular dental visits and check-ups are essential to monitor overall oral health, including the condition of the implants and surrounding tissues. These visits allow Dr Ayad to assess your implant health, detect potential complications early on, and provide appropriate treatments or interventions if necessary.
How Do I Start My Dental Implant Journey?
Dental implants can significantly improve the quality of life with diabetes. By understanding the relationship between diabetes and implants, you can make informed decisions and take necessary precautions to ensure successful outcomes.
To see if you are suitable for dental implants, contact Dr Ayad and book your free consultation today.