3 Facts Any Diabetes Should Know Before Getting Dental Implants!

Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, but that also means there is high sugar in saliva too. Bacteria in the mouth use sugar as food, and they break them down to produce an acid solution that attacks the teeth. This leads to decay and gum disease, and if left untreated it can lead to tooth loss.

Having missing teeth can be detrimental to your oral health and appearance. Additionally, the gaps between the teeth cause the surrounding teeth to shift, weakening the jaw structure. That is why it is recommended you replace the missing teeth to protect your dental structure. Replacing your lost teeth also promotes proper nutrition, which is crucial for people with diabetes. Fortunately, several teeth replacement options are available like dental implants in Ancaster, ON. But, are these implants ideas for people with diabetes? Possibly. However, there are several things you need to know before getting them.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are screws, made of titanium, fixed on the jawbone to replace the roots. They are made of a screw, an abutment, and dental crowns that resemble the teeth in appearance and function. Teeth implants come in different including single teeth replacement to all-on-4 implants, and the dentist will choose the most suitable depending on the number of teeth missing.

What is the Link Between Diabetes and Oral Health?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way your body handles sugars and starches. It can lead to serious health complications if not managed properly. High blood sugar can harm the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and also mouth.

People with diabetes are at a higher chance of having gum disease, an infection that affects the gums and the supporting bone. Gum disease causes pain, bad breath, loose teeth, and tender gums. High blood sugar makes the gums tender and disrupts blood flow to the gums, increasing the risk of infection. Furthermore, the blood levels can increase the risk of infection because of plaque buildup along the gum line. Plaques give room for bacteria to multiply, which can cause an infection and decay.

Furthermore, diabetes slows down healing and can interfere with periodontal disease treatment. High blood sugar causes dry mouth and fungal infections, which can cause white patches in the mouth.

Can You Get Dental Implants With Diabetes?

Yes, you can get teeth implants even with diabetes, but there are three things to note:

1. Your blood sugar levels matter

Several studies have reported that people with controlled diabetes have a low risk of complications or failure just like their non-diabetic counterparts. However, people with uncontrolled diabetes have higher rates of infection and implant procedure failure. The type of diabetes also matters in dental implant procedure recovery. Type 1 diabetes is harder to control than Type 2, which means that extra precautions need to be taken before you can get the implant procedure.

2. The dental implant healing process will take longer

The body’s inability to regulate or metabolize glucose can affect the body’s ability to heal wounds. High blood sugar prevents nutrients and oxygen from getting into the cells. This, in turn, will affect the immune cells’ functions and increase inflammation.

Dental implants are surgically fixed into the jaw bone, meaning the dentist will cut open the gums. The implants rely on the body’s healing process to integrate into the bone (osseointegration). The complete integration of the implant and jaw and the healing of the gums is what makes the implant procedure successful. Because of the slow healing process, patients with uncontrolled diabetes take longer to recover from the implant procedure.

3. Your bone density is crucial

You need sufficient jaw bone for the implant procedure to be successful. Unfortunately, having missing teeth for an extended time can cause the supporting bone to deteriorate, weakening the bone. Furthermore, people with diabetes have decreased bone density because of low vitamin D levels. It is crucial to consult a dentist near you on your jaw bone condition before getting dental implants.

What Can You Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure?

The dentist will begin the process by examining the quality of your jawbone and determining the type of implant you need. He will open the jaw to access the jaw bone and insert the screws on the jaw; the process takes one to two hours. It takes a couple of months for the gums to heal and for the implant to fuse to the bone. After the osseointegration process, the dentist will fix the connector and later the dental crown.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Ancaster Family Dentistry for more information about dental implants near you and if they are ideal.