Is It Safe for Diabetic Patients to Get Dental Implants?

Diabetes is among the most common lifestyle conditions on the rise today. A weakened immune system and slow healing are key concerns among diabetes. These factors raise an additional concern on whether it’s safe for patients with diabetes to get dental implants. Dental implants can significantly improve oral and overall health if you lose teeth.

Dental implants are permanent and offer excellent stability, strength, and aesthetics, unlike dentures and bridges. They also eliminate the risk of irritations, infections, inflammation, and slippage with dentures and bridges. It further protects you from oral issues like decay and periodontal disease, negatively impacting your diabetes.

Since dentists place dental implants through surgery, the safety of the procedures is a legitimate question for people with diabetes. Let’s closely look at this matter to determine whether getting dental implants is safe if you have diabetes. Contact our dentist in Beverly, MA, for dental implants.

Diabetes and Dental Implant

Diabetes causes numerous changes in your body. When it comes to surgical procedures like dental implants, diabetes can cause additional risks. The slow healing process is the key concern about getting dental implants with diabetes. Patients with diabetes typically take longer to heal than a person without diabetes. They can take up to twice longer to heal. Since dental implants rely on the body’s healing ability for osseointegration, diabetes can affect bone formation around the implant. It increases the chances of implant failure significantly.

Delayed healing further puts you at a greater risk of post-surgical infections. Infections further slow the healing process, significantly increasing the likelihood of implant failure. If the implant fails, you’ll need additional surgery to remove the implant. This additional procedure will leave you with more wounds to heal. Fortunately, controlled diabetes and proper oral care can help prevent these risks.

Is It Safe to Get Implants with Diabetes?

While diabetes is a risk factor for post-surgical complications, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you for the treatment. If you have diabetes and are interested in getting implants, keeping your diabetes under control improves your chances of succeeding in dental implant surgery.

However, research shows that diabetes isn’t a significant factor in the success of a dental implant. The research concludes that controlled and uncontrolled diabetes patients can get dental implants without complications.

But one thing is for sure, we’ll-controlled diabetes and good oral hygiene habits will contribute to speed healing and recovery, significantly decreasing the risk of implant failure or complications. Still, notify your dentist if you have diabetes or other underlying conditions.

Along with diabetes, certain conditions and habits can lessen your chances of successful dental implant surgery. These include:

• Tobacco use. Like diabetes, smoking impairs the body’s natural ability to heal normally, increasing your risk of post-surgical complications.
• Gum disease. Healthy gums are needed to support a dental implant adequately. Infected or diseased gums heal slowly and can’t hold on to the implant sufficiently.
• Poor dental hygiene. Even without diabetes, poor oral hygiene can lead to infections and implant failure. You shouldn’t get implants if you don’t maintain excellent oral hygiene.
• Insufficient jawbone. After tooth loss or periodontal disease, your jawbone tends to deteriorate. Insufficient jawbone can’t adequately support dental implants. You may need bone grafting to get implants.
• Underlying conditions that affect your ability to heal naturally
• Age factor. The more you have lived with diabetes, the more prone you’re to delayed healing and infections. Seeking a dental implant on time can increase your chances of qualifying for implants.

Along with diabetes, your dentist will consider these and other considerations to determine whether you’re a good candidate for implant surgery. If you’re not eligible, your dentist and doctor can work together on a health plan to improve your chances of qualifying for dental implants. Alternatively, you can consider other restorative treatments like dental bridges and dentures.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about diabetes and dental implants in Beverly, MA, contact Beverly Dental Group.