I recently lost a tooth due to an accident and want to replace it with a dental implant. My dentist said because I have diabetes I cannot get an implant and he is recommending I get a dental bridge instead. I’ve known other diabetics with dental implants. What has changed?
Ken
Dear Ken,
I am sorry about your accident. That must have been painful! Nothing has changed regarding dental implants and diabetes. Simply being diabetic does not preclude you from getting a dental implant candidate. So, why did your dentist say it did?
To me, this is more an indicator that your dentist is not comfortable placing dental implants. Rather than tell you that and risk losing your confidence and business, he is steering you toward the procedure he is comfortable with– a dental bridge. However, unless any of the adjacent teeth need replacing, I would stick with the dental implant.
While I sort of understand why your dentist said what he did, the best dentists not only stay abreast of the new technologies in their field and seek out the training to implement them, they are also humble enough to admit when you need someone else for a certain procedure. Instead of suggesting a lesser treatment, he should have given you a referral to a dentist who did do dental implants.
Be careful here. Don’t try to pressure your dentist into doing a procedure he is not comfortable with. You will end up with a dental implant horror story, and believe me there are plenty of them.
You should also be aware, that though your diabetes does not necessarily disqualify you from getting a dental implant, you are in a high-risk group. Because of that, I would make sure whatever dentist you do end up with does extra diagnostics and closely monitors you throughout the procedure.
Find another dentist for this and get the tooth replacement you want.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.