3 Conditions That Get In The Way of Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most popular and often-recommended tooth replacement options, and it’s no surprise that that’s the case. They’re realistic, durable, and can prevent that jawbone atrophy that can often result from tooth loss, something that dentures can’t do.

However, dental implants also aren’t for everyone. There are some conditions that may make getting dental implants difficult, and it’s worth knowing what those are if you’re curious about them. With that in mind, here are some health conditions that should give you pause if you’re interested in dental implants.

Diabetes

Patients with diabetes will be aware that their condition suppresses the body’s immune system, which is normally what’s responsible for healing. As a result, diabetics heal from injuries more slowly and are more susceptible to infection.

One of the most crucial periods of getting dental implants is directly after your surgery when the dental implant begins to fuse with the jawbone. This is when a dental implant is most likely to fail, and when you’re most at risk of developing an infection.

Diabetes prolongs this process, which makes the surgery in general much more risky. If you have diabetes, it’s therefore crucially important to talk to your dentist about whether you’re healthy enough to heal after the procedure.

Autoimmune Conditions

If you have an autoimmune condition, like AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis, you suffer from an overactive immune system that attacks itself. For that reason, most medications to treat the condition are immunosuppressants, meaning that they stop your immune system from working to the same extent.

This can potentially prolong the time that it takes to heal after your surgery, which as was mentioned before, is problematic. For that reason, your doctor and dentist may have to work together to devise a treatment plan that will work for you.

Bone Loss

When you lose a tooth, it’s not uncommon for your body to send nutrients away from the mouth, and for your jaw to atrophy as a result. If you’ve been missing a tooth for a while, you may have lost enough bone for a dental implant to lack the necessary support.

Thankfully, your dentist can give you a bone graft to help give your implant more runway to work with. The procedure is simple but may delay your getting dental implants slightly.

Ultimately, it’s important to note that dental implants are incredibly reliable, with over 95% of them succeeding at 20 years. Even if you have one of these issues, it’s important to talk to your dentist about whether dental implants could be a good option for you.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Kendrick is a dentist whose clinical expertise and care for his patients have earned him significant acclaim in his field. Dr. Kendrick received his DDS from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, where he has since served as a member of the adjunct faculty. He received implant training from the Misch International Implant Institute, and he has worked as a visiting faculty member for Spear Education.

If you have any questions about dental implants, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (405) 732-0431.