For individuals with missing teeth, dental implants offer a strong, sturdy, and long-lasting way to rebuild lost dentition and restore chewing power. However, the dental implant procedure is a bit complex, and certain medical conditions might affect your candidacy for it. For example, your dental team will need to know if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. How could diabetes affect your tooth replacement journey? This blog post explains.
Diabetes and Dental Implants
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to develop infections than healthy individuals. They also heal more slowly after invasive medical procedures. Therefore, if your condition is not well-managed, you may be at a heightened risk of dental implant failure.
However, there is good news! A study published in 2016 noted, “When diabetes is under well control, implant procedures are safe and predictable with a complication rate similar to that of healthy patients.”
Therefore, as long as you work closely with your doctor to manage your diabetes, there is a very good chance that you can undergo successful dental implant treatment. You should also be sure to let your oral surgery team know that you have been diagnosed with diabetes so they can make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Setting Your Dental Implants Up for Success
Beyond taking steps to manage your overall health, there are other measures you can employ to give your dental implants the best possible chance of long-term success:
- Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine. Thorough brushing and flossing habits can greatly reduce the risk of oral infections that might compromise your dental implants.
- Monitor your gum health. Gum disease, which is a major threat to dental implants, is more common among individuals with diabetes. If you ever notice that your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, it would be wise to see your dentist for treatment.
- Get regular checkups. It should be your habit to visit your general dentist every 6 months for a checkup and cleaning. These routine visits can do much to prevent oral health problems, including dental implant complications.
- Eat lots of nutritious foods. Once you receive your dental implants, you should be able to enjoy virtually any food, including lean proteins and crunchy fruits and vegetables. Try to center your diet on these items to protect both your overall wellness and your oral health.
Well-managed diabetes is unlikely to negatively affect your candidacy for dental implant treatment. Talk to an oral surgeon to learn more about what to expect while you are rebuilding a complete smile.
Meet the Practice
Piney Point Dental Implant Center is home to three board-certified oral surgeons, all of whom are able to handle even complex cases. Even if you have diabetes or other health considerations, we may still be able to help you reach your goal of attaining a complete and healthy smile. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our Houston office at 713-597-7340.