Dental implants are generally considered to be the pinnacle tooth replacement solution for those struggling with missing teeth. That said, the procedure does involve a mildly complex surgical portion that can potentially be affected by certain medical conditions, such as diabetes. Keep reading to learn how this can impact your journey toward rebuilding your smile and what you’ll need to know.
Dental Implants & Diabetes
One of the most important things to understand about unchecked diabetes is that it can make someone more susceptible to developing an infection. In many cases, these individuals also experience a slower healing process following an invasive medical/dental procedure. That’s why, if this condition isn’t properly managed, it can end up raising the risk of implant failure later on.
Only if you’re able to keep your diabetes under control can you possibly expect a predictable and safe procedure similar to healthy patients. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure to consult and work closely with your doctor so they can help you manage your condition to improve the success rate of your dental implant treatment. Remember to also inform your dental team of your condition so that they can plan your procedure accordingly.
Improving Your Dental Implant Treatment Success Rate
Other than implementing the right steps to manage your diabetes, you should also adopt other measures that can give you the best chance of a successful dental implant treatment, including:
- Maintaining great oral hygiene: Keeping your mouth safe and healthy at home is incredibly important for preventing oral infections that can impact your implant(s), meaning you should brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash regularly.
- Keep an eye on gum health: Those with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which can negatively affect your dental implant. See your dentist if you notice inflammation in the gum line.
- Stick to nutritious meals: To protect your overall and oral health, try eating lean proteins veggies, and fruits, which can promote healthy gums and bones.
- Schedule routine checkups: By visiting your dentist every six months, they can help monitor your implants as well as your gum health to ensure there are no underlying complications.
Even if you have diabetes, this doesn’t mean you’ll automatically not be a candidate for dental implants. Speak with your doctor and dentist about your condition and smile goals, and they can work together to ensure you can stay healthy while rebuilding your missing teeth!
About the Practice
At Denton Dental Center, our team works hard to provide exceptional care while making sure patients are comfortable and receive high-quality results. We offer long-lasting dental implants to replace missing teeth, and we’ll be more than happy to work alongside your physician if you have medical conditions, such as diabetes. If you wish to learn more or want to schedule a visit, feel free to check out our website or give us a call at 940-383-3300.