Can You Get Dental Implants If You’re Diabetic?

Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option due to their durability, long lifespan, success rate as high as 98%, and lifelike results. They are the only option that also replaces the roots of the tooth and require good oral health before you move forward with treatment. There are also certain medical conditions that may affect your success with implants, including diabetes. If you want to get implants and have diabetes, read on to learn how these two things are connected.

How Diabetes and Implant Failure Are Related

Those with diabetes have a higher chance of experiencing dental implant failure since they are more prone to infections. Peri-implantitis, which is an infection of the gums, is a common reason for implant failure. Therefore, diabetics are more likely to develop this issue.

In addition, diabetics generally heal slower than those without this condition. This can impede osseointegration, which is the process by which the implants fuse with the jawbone. Osseointegration usually takes place over the course of four and six months, but it may take longer for diabetics, which means that there are more opportunities for something to go wrong.

5 Ways to Lessen Your Risk of Implant Failure

Though people with diabetes are more likely to experience issues after dental implant surgery, there is a range of ways to lessen the chances of complications, including:

• Manage your condition – If you’re diligent about keeping up with your condition, you can lower your risk of implant failure to that of someone who doesn’t have diabetes.
• Speak with your doctor first – Talk to your doctor before you proceed with the dental implant procedure so they can give you advice on keeping your blood sugar stable, which reduces your chances of implant failure.
• Maintain good oral hygiene – People who have diabetes are more likely to develop oral health issues like dry mouth, gum disease, and cavities. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes and floss before bed each night to prevent these problems.
• Eat well – Limit the amount of sugar you consume to decrease your chances of developing cavities. This will also improve your blood sugar levels. Increase your intake of dentist-approved foods like fish, lean meat, fresh fruits and veggies, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
• See your dentist regularly – Attend dental checkups every six months to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned. This will also let your dentist make sure that no oral health issues are developing.

Though having diabetes can increase your risk of dental implant failure, the above tips will allow you to keep this condition under control. So, if you have diabetes and are interested in getting dental implants, schedule a consultation with your dentist so you can be on your way to a full, beautiful smile!

About the Practice

Dr. Cooper Owens and Dr. Shannon Duqum take pride in helping patients achieve the gorgeous grins they’ve always dreamed of. They offer titanium dental implants to fill in the gaps in your smile and perform the entire procedure under one roof so you can start enjoying your beautiful beam as soon as possible. Do you want to make an appointment with Dr. Owens and Dr. Duqum or are you interested in learning more about dental implants? Call their office at (440) 466-4884 or visit their website today.