Dental implants have a high success rate, but they're not right for everyone. Certain health conditions can affect how well or if your body accepts them. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes and are considering implants, here's what you should know before your consultation.
Medical Conditions That May Affect Implant Success
Implant success relies on a process called osseointegration, where your jawbone fuses to the titanium post over several months. Anything that slows healing or affects bone density can interfere with that process. That's I review your full health history before recommending implants, not just your dental history.
Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes slows healing and increases infection risk. Both can compromise implant success.
If your diabetes is well-managed, you may still be a good candidate, and the key word is ‘managed.’ Your A1C levels and how well your condition is controlled are both factors in my evaluation.
Osteoporosis
Implants require adequate bone density to integrate successfully. Osteoporosis affects bone throughout the body, including the jaw. Medications used to treat osteoporosis, particularly bisphosphonates, can also affect how jaw bone responds to surgery. This doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it's an important conversation to have with both your physician and me.
Blood Thinners
If you’re on blood thinners, you face a different consideration: managing bleeding during and after surgery. In this case, I will coordinate with your prescribing doctor to determine whether and how you can adjust your medication around the procedure. The situation is manageable in most cases but requires planning.
Smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and bone, which directly affects healing after implant surgery. Studies consistently show higher implant failure rates in smokers compared to non-smokers. We do not automatically rule you out if you're a smoker, but quitting, or at a minimum, stopping around the time of surgery, significantly improves the odds of a successful outcome.
The Right Starting Point
Having one of these conditions doesn't mean implants are off the table. It means your consultation needs to be thorough, and that’s what you’ll receive at Baller Dental & Ortho at Southlands. I will review your health history and honestly discuss with you any factors that could affect a successful outcome.
Please call our Aurora, CO, dental office at (720) 653-3223 to schedule an appointment with me to get started.