Can You Get Dental Implants if You Have Diabetes?
Dental implants have been around since 1965. Because of their high costs and the fact that U.S. insurance companies don’t cover dental implant procedures, they haven’t been as popular as they should, in the States. Those looking to get dental implants have many questions, including whether they qualify for high-tech implants.
Some of our blog posts have covered many of these questions. In this post, we discuss one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S., diabetes, and whether diabetic patients can get dental implants or not.
Dental Implants: Basics
Before switching gears to dental implants and diabetes, it helps to refresh our memories in regards to dental implants. Like most dental-tech procedures, there are pros and cons with dental implants. Keep reading to discover why the pros far outweigh the cons!
Dental Implant Pros
- Placed into jawbone – Dental implants provide stability because they’re placed directly into our jawbones.
- Dental implants provide minimal maintenance – Because they’re placed into the jawbone, they require less maintenance than other teeth replacement technology like dentures.
- Dental implants are as close as possible to real teeth – Dental implants are the closest thing we can get to real teeth
- They can last for life – If properly maintained, dental implants can last for life.
Dental Implant Cons
- Dental implants can be costly – Because they’re at the forefront of dental tech, implants costs can add up.
- Most U.S. insurances won’t cover dental implants – Nearly all dental insurance in the United States doesn’t cover dental implants. If the insurance does cover implants, they cover it at a small percentage.
- Dental implants might require pre-surgeries – Some patients might require pre-surgeries before getting dental implants.
- Dental implants take time to heal – Because implants are placed directly into the jawbone, they take time to heal.
If you haven’t yet done so, make sure to check out some of the other blog posts on our site.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that happens due to poor glucose, or blood sugar, regulation. Our bodies require glucose to survive. Glucose is the energy that allows us to move. It also provides energy to our brains. Insulin is the key ingredient that moves glucose throughout our bodies.
Although the exact cause of diabetes isn’t well known, what we do know is that genetics and environmental factors play a huge part. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is primarily caused by the lack of insulin. When our insulin producing cells are damaged or destroyed, our pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to move glucose to the muscles in our bodies, including our brain.
Type 1 diabetes often occurs in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes occurs in older individuals, those 45-years or older. Type 2 diabetes is more directly linked to obesity than Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes happens the same way Type 2 diabetes occurs, insulin producing cells become damaged. The cause of Type 2 diabetes could be due to the American diet where excess processed carb based foods, like bread, are routinely ingested. Carbs turn into sugar. Without proper exercise, this sugar creates havoc with our insulin producing cells.
What are some diabetes complications?
Diabetes can cause all sorts of issues. Check out a few below:
- Heart and blood vessels – Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart problems and strokes.
- Eye problems – Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss among adults between 20 and 74. Among the vision issues are glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, a condition that involves the blood vessels in your eyes.
- Kidney failure – Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in adults in the United States.
- Teeth – Diabetes puts people at a great risk of gum disease. Gum disease can lead to failing teeth.
- Bone and joint disorders – Diabetes can lead to bone and joint disorders.
As of 2015, the Center for Disease Control stated that 30.3 million U.S. citizens, 9.4% of the population at that time, had diabetes. Another 84.1 million U.S. citizens had a condition called pre-diabetes, which if not treated, could result in Type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
For more information about diabetes, it’s symptoms and causes, check out the Mayo Clinic.
Dental Implants & Diabetes: The Inside Story
Dental technology allows almost anyone to get dental implants, this includes individuals with diabetes. In fact, if an individual with diabetes has lost their natural teeth due to the disease, they might want to consider dental implant surgery to replace those teeth.
There are a couple of things to consider before getting dental implants if you have diabetes. Two things must be considered for diabetes patients hoping for dental implants
- Healing time is longer – Any condition, including diabetes, can extend the healing process. Remember, dental implant surgery is invasive. It involves drilling into the jawbone. Healing doesn’t happen overnight. If you have a condition like diabetes your healing time takes longer.
- Diabetes can lead to osteoporosis – Diabetes can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a dangerous condition that causes bone to become weak. Once the bone becomes weak, it can easily break. People with Type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of contracting osteoporosis. Because implants are placed directly into jawbone, those with osteoporosis might not be great candidates for dental implants.
Dental implants for patients with bone loss
Patients with bone loss due to osteoporosis or some other bone affecting condition can still get dental implants. In fact, there are two solutions to this issue. One requires a pre-implant surgery. The other doesn’t.
First Solution: Bone graft surgery
Diabetic patients with bone loss can get a dental bone graft surgery before their dental implant surgery. A bone graft surgery takes healthy bone tissue from somewhere else in the body and places that tissue into the jawbone.
The healthy tissue strengthens the jawbone. Once the jawbone heals, the patient is ready for dental implants. The knock against bone graft surgery is that it requires a pre-surgery. Any type of surgery requires healing. Those who get a bone graft before their dental implant surgery must wait for the pre-surgery to heal.
Since individuals heal at different times, it could take a while before the dental implant surgery.
Second Solution: Mini-dental implants
The second solution is to get mini-dental implants instead of full dental implants. Mini-dental implants cost much less than full dental implants because they aren’t placed directly onto the bone. That’s a big benefit.
Elderly individuals with osteoporosis are good candidates for mini-dental implants. Mini-dental implants have drawbacks, for example, they don’t last nearly as long as real dental implants. But, for diabetic patients with bone loss, mini-dental implants might be the way to go.
Why Costa Rica is the Perfect Place for Diabetic Patients to Get Dental Implants
The main reason individuals don’t get dental implants and settle on dentures is cost. Dental implants in the United States cost a lot. The cost can be around $50,000 for an All on 4. The cost for an All on 8 in the U.S. can run to $80,000.
Dental tourism was created to address all dental procedure cost concerns. The picture brightens for patients looking for dental implants in Costa Rica. For example, the average cost for an All on 4 in Costa Rica is $25,000 or less. A single arch costs $11,000 or less while an All on 8 costs $35,000 or less. That’s a lot of money, but it’s a lot less than $80,000!
How Care Overseas Can Help
Care Overseas was created to help U.S. and Canadian citizens find an alternative destination for their dental procedures. We believe that everyone has the right to affordable dental care. We provide dental tourism services from helping patients find the best dental clinic in Costa Rica to finding a place to stay while in our nation, and to even setting up tourist activities during their stay.
Head to Care Overseas now and get a quote for your dental procedure. You can also call us at 866-778-2766 and we will walk you through the process. Dental care shouldn’t be stressful. Let Care Overseas help!