Around one in ten U.S. adults have diabetes, a metabolic disease that can disrupt other aspects of a person’s health like wound healing and vision. It could also cause complications with dental implants, the premier replacement choice for missing teeth.
There are two basic types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone needed to regulate the amount of sugar glucose in the bloodstream. With the more prevalent type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond efficiently to the insulin produced.
Uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to several dangerous health conditions. In addition to vision impairment and poor wound healing, diabetics are at higher risk for other problems like kidney disease or nerve damage. Drastic swings in blood glucose levels can also cause coma or death.
Many diabetics, though, are able to manage their condition through diet, exercise, medications and regular medical care. Even so, they may still encounter problems with wound healing, which could complicate getting a dental implant.
An implant is composed of a titanium metal post imbedded into the jawbone. Because of its affinity with titanium, bone cells naturally grow and adhere to the implant’s metal surface. Several weeks after implant surgery, enough bone growth occurs to fully secure the implant within the jaw.
But this integration process may be slower for diabetics because of sluggish wound healing. It’s possible for integration to not fully occur in diabetic patients after implant surgery, increasing the risk of eventually losing the implant.
Fortunately, though, evidence indicates this not to be as great a concern as once thought. A number of recent group studies comparing diabetic and non-diabetic implant patients found little difference in outcomes—both groups had similar success rates (more than 95 percent).
The only exception, though, were diabetic patients with poor glucose control, who had much slower bone integration that posed a threat to a successful implant outcome. If you’re in this situation, it’s better if you’re first able to better control your blood glucose levels before you undergo surgery.
So, while diabetes is something to factor into your implant decision, your chances remain good for a successful outcome. Just be sure you’re doing everything you can to effectively manage your diabetes.
If you would like more information on diabetes and dental health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants & Diabetes.”
