My father is thinking about getting dental implants. My concern is that he is diabetic. Are there any healing issues with the implants for diabetics? – Thanks. Danek

Danek – Diabetes has several effects on overall health that cause many patients to wonder if it’s safe to get dental implants:

• Affects bone formation
• Delays wound healing
• Increases the chances of getting an infection

Dental Implants and Diabetes

A 2016 study published in the International Journal for Implant Dentistry shows several factors that should be considered for diabetic patients following dental implant surgery:

• Patients with poorly controlled diabetes have delayed osseointegration (the healing period when implant and bone fuse).
• Sinus lifts and bone grafting are successful in patients with fairly to well-controlled diabetes.
•  After one year, the status of the implants is equal in healthy patients and patients with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes.
• In the long-term, there is an increased risk of periodontal disease in diabetic patients.
• Within the first six years, the implant survival rate is the same for diabetic patients as it is for healthy patients, but in the long-term (up to 20 years) diabetic patients have a reduced implant survival rate.

Whether implants can be placed for a person with diabetes is determined on a case-by-case basis. In advance of implant surgery, your father’s dentist will review his medical history to determine if he is a candidate for the implants.

The implant dentist will give instructions about how the medication should be taken the day of the surgery.  All patients with diabetes who receive dental implants should be diligent in doing their part to keep diabetes under control. Maintaining well-controlled diabetes is an important factor for the continued success of the dental implants.

Schedule consultations with two to three implant dentists to discuss your father’s medical history and the anticipated outcome for dental implants.

After an oral surgeon places dental implants, a skilled cosmetic dentist restores the implants with lifelike porcelain crowns. No one will be able to distinguish your father’s implants from his natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek of Lowell, MA.

 

Get current information based on recent research on dental implants and diabetes.