Diabetes and Dental Implants – Is it Safe to Place Them?

Living with diabetes can be challenging at times, especially at the beginning of your diagnosis. Trying to navigate what you can eat and when is complex, and you’re learning about the implications of diabetes on your body.  But what happens when you have surgery or procedures like dental implants done? Should you be worried about placing dental implants with diabetes? Let’s find out from the dental experts at Smile Stories.

What does Diabetes Mean for Dental Implants?

If you weren’t aware, the potential complication with any surgery in diabetics is due to slower healing times. If we think about diabetes and dental implants, this can affect how the implant integrates with the jawbone if not managed expertly.

But do not fear. Having type one or two diabetes does not mean you can’t get dental implants. With multiple cases under our belt and the ethos of treating you like the lovely human you are, having well-managed diabetes does not put you at an increased risk of dental implant failure compared to patients who don’t have diabetes. That said, your diabetes does have to be well-managed to have dental implants. If not, you would be at risk of infection and implant failure.

How well-managed your diabetes is can be attributed to its type. Type one can be harder to get under control, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have dental implants. The first step on an implant journey is always a comprehensive consultation accounting for your health and suitability. We always give you a thorough health check before any major (or minor) procedure to ensure you are in tip-top shape. So come in and see our team of incredible cosmetic dentists and let’s talk through your health and, more specifically, your diabetes before starting any treatment.

We’ll Ask about Diabetes and Dental Implants

We’re not being nosey, but we would ask you questions such as:

• Are you a smoker?  Being a smoker and using tobacco will impair the healing process and increase infection. It would be advisable to cut down before having an implant.
• Can we identify any gum disease? If you suffer from gum disease, we’ll have to ensure your gums are healthy before doing any implant treatment. After all, we want a long-term result.
• Do you have a low jawbone density? With tooth loss, the jaw can deteriorate, which means the implant won’t have a firm footing.
• What’s your general oral hygiene like? We encourage you to maintain excellent oral hygiene irrespective of any additional treatment you may wish to have, but more so with implants, as they won’t last if your oral hygiene is bad. So daily brushing and flossing are vital for your implant to succeed.

Once we have a little more information about you, our team of cosmetic dentists will be able to decide on the best way to start your smile journey.

Are Dental Implants Worth It for Diabetes Clients?

Absolutely, yes. A diabetes diet consists of many foods that dentures or bridges can’t cope with, making people move to softer processed foods that will impact their blood sugars. If you have dental implants, they will reinstate your chewing power to that of your original teeth so you can maintain a healthy diet for your diabetes.

Here are some tips we suggest if you have diabetes and want dental implants:

• Cut out the smoking. It’s not good for your teeth or your health in general.
• Get your diabetes under control.
• Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine- brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing.
• Attend regular health checks. It’s important to come to see us regularly, particularly if you have diabetes.  We’ll pick up any problems early and can treat them before they become bigger issues (like gum disease).

Dental Implants and Diabetes — Our Conclusion

As long as you are a generally healthy person and have your diabetes under control, dental implants are safe regardless of your diabetic status. The important aspects of undergoing cosmetic dentistry when you have diabetes are looking after your own health and finding the right implant dentist. If you’re looking for dental implants in Bournemouth, Smile Stories is an award-winning clinic that can help you get the smile you have always wanted.

Want to learn more about how your diabetes could impact your dental implant procedure? Get in touch and book your free video consultation with our team of experts.