Diabetes is a disease that attacks other parts of the body if blood or glycemic sugar levels are uncontrolled. A new study shows that diabetics can successfully heal dental implants to help correct the damage in their oral anatomy and to also help control blood-sugar levels. Dental implants has become one of the most reliable teeth replacement systems available to patients with missing teeth. This is because dental implants can provide lasting results that are natural looking, strong, and effective. Patients can expect to receive restrengthening in their oral anatomy and improved oral function. Having a healthy oral anatomy is crucial for diabetics because it can help diminish some of the negative effects that diabetes can have on the body.
Diabetes and High Blood Sugar Levels
Poor control of blood sugar for diabetics will usually translate to complications in their heart, kidney, eyes, gums and teeth, and nerves (especially in the foot).
Heart- Cardiovascular disease is a high threat in patients with high blood sugar levels.
Kidney- In the United States, kidney failure is most attributed by diabetes, accounting for 44% of cases.
Eyes- A recent statistic claims that diabetes is the cause of new blindness in people ages 20-74 in the United States.
Gum and Teeth- One of the most noticeable of the symptoms of high blood sugar in diabetics is the poor health of their oral anatomy’s. Diabetics are more prone to developing a bacterial infection, gum disease, or tooth decay.
Nerves-Diabetics with high blood sugar will often have nerve damage that will begin with a loss of feeling or sensation around their toes.
New Study
According to Dr. Thomas W. Oates Jr., dental implants may be the best solution for diabetics in controlling their blood sugar levels. His study has opened the door for diabetics in being able to correct oral damage and combat diabetes. Past studies of the relationship between diabetics and dental implants have claimed that diabetics with uncontrolled high blood sugar were not able to successfully heal dental implants, and many diabetics have been denied this treatment based on these studies.
In an article issued in the Journal of the American Dental Association, Dr. Oates states about his findings that he “failed to identify any association between elevated blood sugar and implant failure complications”. In Dr. Oates’ one year examination of 19 dental implant patients with diabetes, none of his patients experienced any failure in healing their dental implants. He also points out that past studies failed to examine their patients in a sufficient amount of time and also did not provide a comparison between healing time of non-diabetic and diabetic patients.
Dr. Oates is a professor at the University of Texas Health and Science Center San Antonio, where he teaches periodontics. He has dedicated his life work in studying the relationship that diabetics have with dental implants. His findings that dental implants can successfully osseointegrate into the bone tissue of diabetics, will allow patients to regain not just their smiles, but also oral health that will ripple effect through their whole body.
Contact Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen in Fountain Valley, CA
Maintaining good oral practices is key in ensuring that implant therapy is successful and keeps providing you with lasting results. Diabetic patients need to maintain strict oral hygiene because they are at a higher risk for developing bacterial infections that can compromise their treatment. If oral hygiene is practiced, diabetics will receive benefits that go beyond the oral anatomy and will help control their blood sugar levels. If you have any further questions regarding dental implants, or would like to discuss your candidacy, then please contact us to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation today.