Dental implants are artificial teeth that replace a missing tooth or teeth, place beneath the gums in the jaw and hold the replacement tooth or bridge. It restores the missing tooth functionally with better quality, strength, longevity and aesthetic appeal.
A dental implant is the best treatment option for teeth replacement because of the improved design, surgical techniques, and highly predictable procedures with a success rate of 90%. But there are conditions where implant placement is difficult or at a higher chance of failure. One such condition is diabetes.
DIABETES
Diabetes is a set of disorders associated with a high concentration of glucose in the blood and abnormality of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolisms.
Every 1in 5 cases of total tooth loss are associated with diabetes.
Risk factors
- Family history
- Lack of exercise
- Unhealthy eating
- Overweight
Signs and Symptoms
Types of Diabetes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
It is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by excessive levels of glucose in the blood.
It is commonly caused due to deficiency of insulin resulting in fail glucose metabolism and urine contain sugar.
Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
It is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine.
It is commonly caused due to deficiency of pituitary hormone vasopressin, which regulate the kidney function and urine does not contain sugar.
SMOKING AND DIABETES
Smoking and Diabetes are a very risky combination. Both decrease oxygen levels in tissues resulting in poor blood circulation. Smoking increases the level of sugar in the blood making it hard to control diabetic. Smoking also increases the chance of gum diseases, infections, oral and throat cancers, etc and 30% – 40% of smokers are at higher risk of diabetes than nonsmokers. Moreover, 95% of people with diabetes who need amputations are smokers.
DIABETES AND ORAL HEALTH
In a diabetic patient, the excessive glucose present in the blood can cause soreness, infections and other oral problems. The high glucose level in saliva helps destructive microbes to cultivate and combine with food particles to form plaque. Plaque can result in cavities, gum diseases, periodontal diseases, etc but in a diabetic patient, the time taken to repair is much longer.
The decrease salivary flow and increased level of glucose in saliva alter the microflora and increase the risk of gums and periodontal diseases.
The primary reparative cells of the periodontium (fibroblast) do not function properly in high glucose levels. Moreover, there is a rapid degradation of collagen. Hence, there is altered wound healing in diabetic patients.
Diabetic is 3 times more risky to develop periodontal disease than nondiabetic. Various oral diseases are associated with diabetes and periodontal diseases. Also poorly controlled diabetic are more at risk to develop periodontal disease than a well-controlled diabetic.
This bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal diseases makes diabetes an important disease to the dentist.
Oral complications due to diabetes
- Dental caries
- Xerostomia
- Candidiasis
- Oral mucosal diseases
- Periodontal diseases
- Burning mouth syndrome
Diabetes and Implant Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the process of formation of a direct interface between the bone and implant or locking of the implant into the jaw bone and it is required for implant stability. This process is completed within 8 weeks but if delayed due to systemic conditions like diabetes then there is a higher risk of implant failure. But if the diabetic is under control with medications, diet and exercises then there are lesser or no risks of implant failure.
In a study by Hendrick, the implant stability is at baseline and takes a longer time during the first few months of implant surgery but after 1 year the implant stability is the same with that of a healthy individual and the success rate is more than 90%.
CONCLUSION
Dental implants are the best option for dental rehabilitation and considering dental implants for teeth replacement in a diabetic patient it is important to discuss the overall physical and dental health before implant placement with both the physician and the dentist.
Supportive therapy like prophylactic antibiotics, mouthwashes, proper oral care, etc may also help to reduce post-operative complications and increases the rate of implant survival. Hence, with proper control of medications, diets, exercises and few precautions people with diabetic can get implant treatment for teeth replacement without compromising your overall dental health.
Visit Dr. Rajat Sachdeva at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Institute, that is the best dental implant specialist in Delhi. The clinic is situated in good and prime location is a multispecialty clinic with a one stop solution for all dental related problems with top service at low and affordable cost.
