Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing teeth permanently. Though they have a 98 percent success rate, dental implants aren’t ideal for everyone. People with certain health conditions or risks are advised to avoid dental implants to protect their health and prevent implant failure.
Dr. Michael Chandler may advise against dental implants if patients have one or more of the following conditions. However, you might still be a candidate for dental implants.
1. Diabetes
Diabetes and pre-diabetes can increase the risk of developing gingivitis and advanced gum disease, which can affect the success of a dental implant. Also, diabetes reduces blood flow, makes it more difficult for the gums to heal, and affects the immune system. All of these can lead to problems with dental implant surgery and the stability and longevity of dental implants.
2. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases can be debilitating and have intense side effects. There are many types of autoimmune diseases, but they all have at least one thing in common: the immune system doesn’t function properly. Usually, the immune system misfires and attacks healthy tissue in the body. If you have an autoimmune disease, it may affect the success of dental implants, and we recommend discussing this with your dentist.
3. Gum Disease
Gum disease can lead to dental implant complications due to inflammation and infection of the gum tissue around the implant. Gum disease can lower your implant’s success rate and result in failure of the implant. If you have periodontitis or advanced gum disease, speak with your dentist about your candidacy for dental implants.
4. Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea can lead to implant failure, especially obstructive sleep apnea. This is because it has symptoms like tooth grinding and clenching that can lead to dental damage and loss of natural teeth and dental implants. An implant’s crown can crack, and a screw can loosen, leading to other problems. If you have a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, speak with your dentist or physician about doing a sleep study before deciding on dental implants. Our dentist also provides nightguards to shield your teeth and implants from nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching.
5. Hormone Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances are common in women, like those who experience menopause. But did you know menopause can heighten the risk of oral health problems? For example, it can cause bone loss in the jaw and dry mouth which contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. However, just because you're going through menopause or other hormonal changes doesn't mean we will rule out dental implants completely. We encourage you to give us a call to review your specific case and needs so we can find what works for you.
Call Us About Dental Implants in Edmond, OK
Even if you have a medical condition that can affect your dental implants, please speak with Dr. Chandler about your unique needs and goals. We can help you attain the healthy and beautiful smile you deserve. Get in touch with us to book your consultation.
