Will Your Diabetes Affect Your Eligibility for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a reliable way to replace missing teeth, but your dentist will first need to check your candidacy for them. They will look at your oral health and see if there are any problems, but systemic issues will also need to be mentioned. That’s because certain ones, like diabetes, can get in the way of a successful treatment if they’re unmanaged. Here’s why this condition can be trouble and how your dentist is here to help.

How Can Dental Implants Be Affected by Diabetes?

In short, unmanaged diabetes can increase the risk of dental implant failure. A person with it might have a weakened immune system, meaning that they will heal more slowly. This can make them prone to an infection, and their body might not have a fast enough response to it. So, if one does develop around the placement site, then their full smile might be in trouble.

This tooth replacement is sturdy because it is placed and fused to the jawbone. The bone tissue surrounding the fixture will need to grow around it. This is an important process called osseointegration, and it takes three to six months to finish. That said, diabetes can make it take longer, which can give wobbly results in the end.

What Can I Do to Improve My Candidacy for Dental Implants?

Since chronic health conditions can cause trouble for dental implants, you might wonder whether it’s even possible to get this treatment. The good news is that you can improve your odds of being a good candidate by making some lifestyle changes. Here are a few to know:

• Manage Your Diabetes: The complications this metabolic disease can cause are more likely when it’s not under control. By partnering with your physician and dentist, you can get personalized advice on what you can do to improve it. For instance, a few patients find success with optimizing their diet and exercise.
• Treat Periodontal Disease: You may be at a higher risk of a gum infection because of this chronic condition, so it needs to be handled right away. That’s because it is often the leading cause of failure.
• Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene: Building off the point above, diabetes increases your risk of oral health issues like dry mouth, infection, and decay, so don’t forget to brush and floss twice daily. That way, you remove bacteria that spell trouble.
• Visit Your Dentist Consistently: No matter what, your dentist is here for you. By having routine checkups, they can get any red flags fixed up. Better yet, they can talk to you about dental implants and let you know what your next steps are toward a full smile you love.

About the Author

Are you tired of having missing teeth? Here at Center for Advanced Dentistry, we understand the impact that a gap in your grin can cause. From trouble eating to even dwindling confidence, we can help you replace them with effective solutions like dental implants. Led by Dr. Steve Lim and Dr. Jacob DeVinne, we can complete the entire process in-house, so you stay in expert care you trust every step of the way.

If you have any questions about your candidacy for this treatment with diabetes, schedule an appointment or call our office at (408)292-2848.