If you are missing teeth, you may want to visit a cosmetic dentist, for help. While cosmetic dentists offer teeth services like veneers and whitening, they also offer dental implants. Although implants can be more costly than dentures, a lot of patients may prefer them since they are permanent, durable, and natural-looking. While implants can work for lots of people, not everyone is a viable candidate. If you have diabetes, you may wonder if you can pursue this cosmetic treatment. Read on for more details.

Are You a Good Candidate for Implants?

According to a review by the International Journal of Implant Dentistry, diabetics have an increased frequency of periodontitis and delayed wound healing. Both of these dental issues could be hindrances to dental implants. People need healthy gum tissue to support implants, so candidates cannot have periodontitis. Plus, if a person has delayed wound healing, then implants may not be a good idea since the restoration may not integrate fully with the jaw bone.

Despite these contraindications, the same review found that when patients had their diabetes under control, then implants could be safe and have the same success rates as healthy patients. Your dentist can also improve your success rates with bone grafts or implants coated with bio-materials. Bone grafts can help to build up your bone density, especially if you've been missing your teeth for some time. Coated implants are also beneficial because these restorations contain chemical compounds that prevent pathogens from entering the site, and they encourage better healing times.  

As you can see, just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you have to be discounted as an implant candidate. If you work on your diet and manage your glucose levels, dental implants could be a perfect fit.

Could Dental Implants Be Beneficial for Diabetics?

If your diabetic symptoms are under control, your cosmetic dentist may prefer that you get dental implants instead of other restorative options. Why? After people lose their teeth, it's more difficult for them to chew/tear certain foods — like high-fiber veggies — which are vital for proper glucose control. While dentures are better than no teeth at all, they aren't as strong as implants; dentures aren't permanent and are prone to moving around, so people with dentures may resort to softer, high-carb/highly processed options. In short, implants could be incredibly beneficial to diabetics since they actually make it easier to meet nutritional needs.

Reach out to your cosmetic dentist to see if you could be a good candidate for dental implants.