Not everyone will be a candidate for dental implants when they lose their teeth. As a diabetic, you may be worried about your chance of getting them. Here's all you need to know about the requirements to help you determine if you're a candidate.

Why Do Dentists Shy Away From Implants in Diabetes Patients?

The main reason diabetes patients aren't recommended dental implants is due to being more prone to infection. This is because the small blood vessels are damaged due to the higher than normal glucose levels, making them stiff and narrow. Inflammation is also more common, as the disease affects the body's inflammatory response.

Since implants require some minor surgery, there is the worry that a diabetes patient won't recover quickly enough. There is a higher risk of infection, and dentists don't want to risk a person losing their implants and causing problems to their gums and jaw.

What Have Studies Shown?

The good news is studies are looking positive in proving that diabetes patients are good candidates for dental implants. Dear Doctor shares the results of various studies, including one carried out by Dr. Thomas W. Oates and his colleagues, where three groups of implant patients were examined. The glucose levels and control didn't have an impact on dental implants.

Those with bad control over their glucose levels saw poorer healing, but were still good candidates.

Those with completely uncontrolled diabetes weren't considered in the study. Generally speaking, these people would not be good candidates for dental implants, because of the body's potential responses after the surgery.

Does It Depend on the Type of Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is much easier to control than Type 1. Because of this, those with the former type of diabetes may be more suitable for dental implants. If you can get your diabetes under control, it is worth discussing with your dentist regardless of the type.

That being said, someone who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes will be a better candidate than someone who has lived with it for years. This, again, is due to the disease being easier to control.

What Other Factors Will Affect Your Eligibility?

Your overall health will be taken into account when looking at dental implants. This will include your oral health, especially if you have gum disease. Your dentist needs to know as much as possible to help minimize the risk of infection and future problems with your implants.

Being a diabetic doesn't instantly make you ineligible for dental implants. It will depend on the factors above, and a dentist, such as Davis R Troup DDS PA, will discuss them to find out if you would make a good candidate.