The burgeoning population of diabetic is a cause of concern to the society at large. The tissues of the body are inflamed by the persistent high blood glucose and this has a bearing on the oral region too. Various studies have estimated that periodontal diseases are the sixth major complications of diabetes. Does dental implants fail on all diabetic patients? Let us explore.
Dental Implants in Patients with Controlled Diabetes
Let us get it clear. Dental implants by and large do not fail in patients with controlled diabetes. Rather the failure rate of dental implants in patients with controlled diabetes is the same like any other non-diabetic patient. They might respond well to osteointegration processes. All they need to do is to properly maintain their oral area and periodically visit the dentist to assess their dental health to keep their dental implants intact.
Dental Implants in Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes
The adverse effect of chronic hyperglycemia or uncontrolled diabetes on the oral region is well known. The incidence of xerostomia or dry mouth, increased glucose level in saliva, and increase in incidence of dental carries is common in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. The following are factors that contribute to the sustained infection around the implant which contributed to nbone loss around implants (peri-implantitis) and the subsequent dental implant failure in diabetic patients with uncontrollable diabetes.
Healing after implant placement surgery
In diabetic population, the wound healing capacity is reduced due to their high sugar levels. Proper wound healing is necessary for the soft tissues that surround the implant and the underlying jaw bone to integrate with the implant.
Osseointegration is the process where the fixture of the implant gets fused into the surrounding bone. This process is greatly affected if high glucose level persists.
Increased Incidence of Periodontal Diseases
Implants can fail if periodontal disease infect the gums near the contact with the dental implant. This is a high possibility and that is why there is enough emphasize for regular dental visit once dental implants are placed.
Conclusion – Dr Sravanthi informs us that controlling the glucose level is the key to dental implant success. Hence she emphasizes that diabetic patients aspiring to get dental implants take every possible measure to bring the blood glucose under control. Dr Sravanthi further states that dental implants can be given to diabetic patients with HBA1C up to 7.5 also.