Every one out of ten people suffers from diabetes in the United States. It is one of the most undesirable health and lifestyle disorders in today's world. When someone is diabetic, their body loses the capacity to manage their blood sugar levels in their body. And it's not the only problem related to diabetes. Diabetes also effect's our body's ability to heal itself. It results in people suffering from diabetes refraining from taking treatments for other diseases.
There is another condition that affects so many people. Around 120 million Americans have at least one missing tooth. And if someone, suffering from diabetes loses a tooth, it worsens their oral conditions. A missing tooth may result in the sagging of cheeks, and it may make you look older than your actual age.
It is widely known that dental implants need at least 6 months to heal. The titanium rods that are inserted to infuse the jaw may seem, a huge problem to the people who suffer from diabetes. And this may prevent them from considering dental implants as a solution to restore their missing teeth. However, the concern of diabetics isn't wrong. The concern about the safety of getting dental implants while being diabetic is genuine. In this article, we will dive into the topic and discuss if dental implants are safe for you if you have diabetes.
Diabetes And Dental Implants
When someone suffers from diabetes, their entire body is affected. If you have diabetes and also missing teeth, there are several solutions for you to restore them. A dental implant is one of those. In fact, dental implants are considered one of the best teeth restorative solutions. They not only function but also feel and function like your natural teeth. Dental implants consist of prosthetic equipment that is surgically inserted into the jaw. This equipment or post acts like the root of the tooth. This post is covered with a dental crown, generally made up of ceramic and it resembles the natural teeth. If you have one or more teeth missing, the implant could be a great teeth restoration option.
The advantages of dental implants include better comfort, and enhanced speaking and eating ability. Moreover, dental implants also protect the other surrounding teeth, prevent bone loss and promote its growth.
Considering the benefits of dental implants, it is preferred by the people who are looking for a long-lasting solution that replaces natural teeth as closely as possible, and also provides support to the rest of the teeth. But, you shouldn't ignore the fact that dental implants depend on your body's power of healing. The titanium post of the dental implants takes time to get integrated into the jawbone. And this healing process makes the dental implant feel like a natural tooth. All of it makes implants a more stable solution for missing teeth than dentures and bridges.
When we talk about diabetes, it gets between the healing process and slows it down. This increases the chances of failure of dental implant significantly. So, though implants have a high success rate of 95%, they can still fail if proper care is not taken.
And, an underlying health condition like diabetes can further reduce the chances.
Are Dental Implants Safe For Diabetics
The safety of dental implants, while you have diabetes, doesn't depend on a single factor. Being diabetic, if you are planning to restore your missing teeth by getting dental implants, you should consider the following things:
What Type Of Diabetes Do You Have
There are basically two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Both types affect the way how your body manages blood sugar levels or glucose. The body's cells feed on glucose, it acts like fuel. But for the glucose to enter the cells, it needs insulin. For those who have type 1 diabetes, their body doesn't produce insulin. Whereas, people having type 2 diabetes don't respond to insulin as well as further their body doesn't make enough insulin.
Type 1 diabetes is harder to manage. And so the risk and chances of failure associated with dental implants and type 1 diabetes are higher, as compared to type 2 diabetes. But, it doesn't mean that people having type 2 diabetes can't get dental implants. Your dentist and oral surgeon will assess your medical history, overall health, and dental records to determine how long it will take you to heal if you get dental implants.
Another factor to consider in diabetic patients is age. The longer you have had diabetes, the more you would be vulnerable to infections and the process of healing would be slow. So if you have diabetes and you're planning to restore your missing teeth with implants, sooner would be better than delaying.
Is Your Diabetes Manageable
Several studies show that patients who have controlled diabetes have no risk or chances of failure of dental implants. It also shows that uncontrolled diabetes leads to higher rates of dental implant failure and infections after the procedure. When dental implants are installed, they are embedded into the gums over the jaw bone. The body's natural healing process is responsible for rebuilding the jawbone's tissue and fusing the post with the surrounding bone. This process is known as osseointegration. After the titanium post integrates with the jawbone it makes the post feel like a tooth root. Hence providing a permanent solution for missing teeth.
People with diabetes have a slower healing process. Further, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to even more difficulty in healing after the installation of dental implants. So, the first step towards getting implants would be controlling your diabetes.
Your oral surgeon and NJ top dentist will help you manage your diabetes. You will get a plan to get back on track so that once you get your implants, you heal well and there is no risk of gum diseases or infections. Once you start with the changes in lifestyle and diet to manage your diabetes, your dentist will monitor your health again to assess if you are ready to get dental implants.
How Is Your Overall Health
One of the major concerns of patients planning to get dental implants is their age. However, instead of age, it is the overall health that plays an important role in determining if you could be a candidate for dental implants. You may not be able to restore your missing teeth with implants in any of the following cases:
- You have an existing periodontal disease of gum infection.
- Your bone density is very low. If you have low bone density and still you need to get implants, you can undergo bone grafting. Your oral surgeon will determine if you are a good fit for that.
- You are not ready to take care of your oral health after the installation of the implant. Post implant installation requires careful attention to what you eat. Else, your implants may not heal completely.
- You are a smoker. Smoking makes it harder for the implants to heal. Further, the sucking action of smoking can create problems that prevent healing. So, it becomes necessary for the smoker to quit for the duration of the entire process which may take a couple of months.
- You have undergone treatment for oral cancer and have been on bisphosphate medication previously.
- You have any other condition that affects your healing ability.
All the above health conditions related to you would be discussed by your oral surgeon at the very first appointment of your dental implant consultation. If any of the above conditions arise, you may either have to go for another tooth replacement option or work on managing the condition.
The Benefit Of Getting Dental Implants
You might be surprised to know that dental implants can help you maintain a healthy diet. The diets for diabetic people consist of a lot of whole foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables that require extra chewing and grinding. And when you get dental implants, they are permanently secured into the jaw. It performs all the functions of a natural tooth and hence it makes it easy for you to eat and chew the foods of your choice, as compared to dental bridges and dentures. Dentures are more likely to move around, displace and cause tender gums. All of it makes it difficult for you to eat nutritious and fiber fruits that require grinding, biting, and pulling. When you're diabetic and you decide to get dentures, the poor fit causes irritation, and discomfort which may lead you to consume all the wrong foods. Softer, high-carb, and processed food can make it more difficult to manage blood sugar levels.
Best Implant Dentist In New Jersey
Not getting your missing tooth replaced can lead to further oral problems. The missing teeth not only affect your ability to chew food but also impact the surrounding teeth. A missing tooth creates a gap and the surrounding teeth shift from their spots to fill up the gap. This results in protruded teeth. Moreover, missing teeth also result in saggy cheeks which makes you look older. So it becomes necessary to explore teeth replacement options. However, diabetes may make it difficult for you to decide if you should get dental implants. Questions like, "Is a dental implant suitable for me?" or "How will dental implants impact my health?" are bound to trouble you. So, it's always best to see your dentist as soon as you can so that further steps can be planned. Even if you don't get dental implants, your dentist or oral surgeon will suggest the best possible option for you to replace your missing teeth.
If you’re diabetic and planning to get dental implants in New Jersey, Jackson Dental is your place to go. At Jackson Dental, we understand all your concerns. We also understand that getting dental implants while being diabetic can be a big decision for you. So, we walk you through the whole process step by step and make you comfortable. We also understand that getting dental implants is costly. So we strive to provide affordable & cheap dental implants in New Jersey. We thoroughly assess your oral health as well as overall health to determine the best possible tooth replacement solution for you. We understand that you might be having dental anxiety and a dentist's appointment can be troubling you. So, we don't leave a stone unturned to make sure that you feel comfortable. highly skilled dental professionals have years of experience and successful history of providing teeth replacement solutions to diabetic patients. At Jackson Dental experience patient-centered care, pre and post the installation of your dental implants.
Conclusion
Though diabetes affects your body's healing ability, it doesn't mean that you have no teeth restoration solutions. Getting dental implants while being diabetic is possible. Only your diabetes needs to be managed and special care pre and post-installation of the implants is required. Do not let diabetes stop you from smiling freely, being happy, and living your life to the fullest. Take a step ahead and consult with the best dental care clinic in New Jersey to know about the teeth replacement solutions for you.
Comments
Post a Comment