Dental Implants and Diabetes

Dental Implants and Diabetes

At Access Dental Care, we care about the oral health of our patients in the Reno, NV area. We know that it can be difficult to make decisions about your dental health, especially when you are unsure of the risks and the benefits. Dental implants can improve the way that your teeth look, but you may be unsure if you are a good candidate for the procedure. That’s why Dr. Song wants to work with you to help you better understand what to expect. One of the questions that we receive here at Access Dental Care often is, “can I have dental implants with diabetes?”

The short answer is yes, especially when the diabetes is controlled. Dr. Song will take some time to talk to you about the condition and also how it works with dental implants below. One of the most important statistics related to diabetes is also startling and that is that 26 million people in the US have diabetes. Unfortunately, many individuals have diabetes, are pre-diabetic, or are at high risk for diabetes and they do not even know it.

Diabetes is considered to be a metabolic disease and it happens when your body is unable to process glucose the way it needs to. You will find that you often experience uncontrolled levels of glucose when you have diabetes, which can cause serious side effects. Your pancreas is responsible for producing the insulin your body needs. When too much or too little insulin occurs, you will experience side effects.

There are two types of diabetes, which include both Type I and Type II. Type II is the most common type and is what most Americans have been diagnosed. This form of diabetes occurs when there is too little insulin produced or when the body cannot respond to the insulin that is produced.

Above, Dr. Song mentioned that there are serious side effects that can occur with uncontrolled diabetes which include kidney disease, vision problems, gangrene, nerve damage, and more. When your blood glucose levels get out of control, you may experience coma or even death in serious situations. When diabetes is under control, you are less likely to experience these problems.

If you suspect that you may have diabetes, and you have never been tested ordiagnosed, it is important that you speak with your doctor first to have tests performed. These tests can rule out the disease. Also, they can tell you if you have pre-diabetes or you are at a higher risk for diabetes. This disease is often controlled through insulin injections, medications, and diet management.

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Diabetes and Your Healing Process

When it comes to healing, diabetics can often suffer from a slowdown in the way they heal. This often occurs when there is a wound present and diabetics will often find themselves more prone to infections. Since blood flow is often restricted, diabetics will experience low blood flow to the fingers, kidneys, eyes, and gums, which may cause you to heal slowly after dental implants are placed.

Another complication that can arise with diabetes is trouble with inflammation. Inflammation is one of the first key steps to wound management and your immune system. When inflammation is not detected by the body, healing cannot happen, and this can lead to tissue damage.

Dr. Terry Song wants you to know that the surgical process for dental implants is routine and not as complicated as it sounds. If you do have the procedure done, you are likely to have successful results. Studies that have been conducted show that dental implants are often very successful even in those who have diabetes, especially when it is controlled.

When it comes to research studies and clinical studies, Dr. Song has worked hard to make sure that he studies them and understands them. The results of the tests and research he has studied has led to the conclusion that dental implants are up to 95% successful in patients with and without controlled diabetes.

It is important to discuss all treatment methods with Dr. Song before you decide on one. Dr. Song will help you make the decision about whether or not dental implants are a good choice for you. There is no reason why dental implants should be avoided since the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you would like to learn more about dental implants or procedures that can improve your smile, contact Access Dental Care in Reno, NV today.