It is estimated there are more than 26 million people in the United States alone who have diabetes which is a condition affecting how the body processes glucose. Your body needs glucose as this simple sugar supplies energy for living cells. Usually, glucose levels are regulated by insulin which is a hormone produced in the pancreas. If this regulation system isn’t working correctly, levels of glucose in the blood can become dangerously high or low.
What Is Diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes and Type I diabetes is where the pancreas stops producing insulin entirely. People with Type I diabetes must monitor their blood glucose levels very carefully, and insulin injections are needed to control the condition. Type II diabetes is more common and is where the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or the body fails to respond correctly to the insulin that is produced.
Both types of diabetes can, in time, cause kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness, and neuropathy, resulting in loss of feeling in fingers and toes. Severe changes in glucose levels could cause people with diabetes to lapse into a coma or even to die.
However, people who have their diabetes well controlled can avoid many of the worst effects of this disease. Lots of people manage Type II diabetes by monitoring their blood sugar levels, watching their diet and exercising regularly and, of course, regular medical checkups are essential. Prescription medications can help if lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
Even so, diabetes does cause other complications, and often wounds are slower to heal, which is why there are often questions as to whether dental implants are suitable for people with diabetes.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Body’s Ability to Heal?
People with diabetes tend to find their body heals more slowly and there is a greater risk of infection compared to people who don’t have this disease. The reason why this happens is thought to be due to damage to small blood vessels called capillaries, and the damage is caused by high glucose levels.
These capillaries can narrow and stiffen, reducing blood circulation to areas of the body and which include the gums. Also, high blood sugar levels in diabetics can change the bodies response to infection. Usually, the body’s first response to infection is inflammation, and this is normally a protective reaction.
However, in people with diabetes, the inflammation can become chronic, potentially causing tissue damage and quite possibly other problems.
How Could This Affect Dental Implant Treatment?
Dental implants consist of a small screw that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the screw has been implanted, it must be left undisturbed and given time to heal. During this healing process, brand-new bone must form on around the implant screw. The screw is designed to increase contact with the bone, and it may be coated with special growth mediums that encourage new bone growth.
The entire process is called osseointegration, and it takes several months to complete. If osseointegration is interrupted or cannot occur properly, there is a real risk the screw will not bond with the surrounding bone, and it will remain loosely fixed in the jawbone and treatment will most likely ultimately fail.
When the screw isn’t firmly bonded in the jawbone, it is not strong enough to support a replacement tooth. People with diabetes are at particular risk of implant failure because of their body’s possible inflammatory response. However, just because someone has diabetes, doesn’t automatically mean they cannot have dental implants.
Dental Implant Dentists Judge Each Case Individually
Anyone inquiring about dental implants will always be asked about their medical history. Implant dentists want to ensure people receiving this treatment are genuinely suitable and will most likely enjoy a highly successful treatment.
Usually, the success rate of implant treatment is about 95%, but dentists with the most experience and training will often have percentages that exceed that figure. If you do have diabetes, it is best to visit the most experienced implant dentist you can find.
Ideally, look for a periodontist because this dentist has specialized training in treating all conditions to do with the structures around teeth and which include the gums and jawbone.
A periodontist will want to discuss your complete medical history, and the thing they will be most interested in is how well you can control your blood glucose levels. If you can keep your blood glucose levels well under control, you are likely to be a good candidate for treatment.
Even if you find it is a struggle to maintain optimal blood glucose levels, dental implants could still be an option. In this case, it will most likely take longer for the bone around the dental implant to heal completely, and you may need to take greater care during the healing process to avoid the risk of infection.
The bottom line is that even with diabetes, it is always worth seeking the opinion of an experienced dental implant dentist to see if this treatment is a possibility.
Why Dental Implants Are Worth the Effort
Dental implants do require a bit more effort, time and money, but they are the most sophisticated solution for tooth loss and can provide far superior results compared with other treatments like dental bridges supported by natural teeth, and partial and full dentures.
The great thing about dental implants is that they are the most natural looking and feeling solution because treatment so closely replicates real teeth.
With dentures that rest on the gums, biting force is significantly reduced, so certain foods cannot be freely enjoyed. Also, tooth loss can cause undesirable changes to the shape and size of the jawbone, eventually resulting in jawbone loss that negatively impacts facial appearance, and which makes it significantly harder to comfortably and securely retain dentures.
Biting forces are greater with tooth-supported dental bridges, but this option does nothing to reduce the bone loss that naturally occurs after teeth are removed.
Because a dental implant post is inserted directly into the jawbone, it replicates a real tooth root, preventing bone loss. With dental implant teeth, you can enjoy just about any foods you could wish for, and of course, your smile will look pretty fantastic too!
If you’re managing diabetes and worried about whether dental implants are a viable option, take heart—yes, you absolutely can pursue implant treatment with proper health coordination. With good blood sugar control and close collaboration between you and your implant dentist, successful outcomes are entirely within reach.
At LuxDen Dental Center, we make it our mission to explain each treatment path clearly and compassionately, helping you understand how your diabetes may impact the process and what precautions we’ll take to support healing and long-term success.
Call LuxDen Dental Center today at (718) 717‑8866 to schedule your personalized consultation. Our team is here to partner with you, guiding each step toward a strong, functional, and lasting smile despite the challenges diabetes may present.
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