Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station, VA

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option available. However, in the past, not everyone has been considered a candidate for this procedure, in part because of other health conditions. But as our understanding of dental implants has improved, we now understand that more people are candidates for dental implants than we thought in the past.

Recently, a team of doctors from five countries–China, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, and the US–recommended procedures for helping patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to get dental implants. This joins other conditions that used to be considered prohibitive for dental implants, but now are seen as acceptable.

Managing Dental Implants with Chronic Kidney Disease

There are many reasons why people with CKD were considered poor candidates for dental implants. CKD is associated with gum disease, which can attack dental implants as well as natural teeth. In addition, CKD patients are sensitive to medications that are commonly used after dental implant surgery, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Finally, medications for CKD can trigger dry mouth and cause the gums to swell, both of which could make it hard for dental implants to achieve quality long-term results.

However, this team of doctors now suggests that in proper consultation with a patient’s nephrologist, there’s no reason why CKD patients can’t get dental implants–and get great dental implant results. It’s just a question of suitable caution and proper follow-up.

Diabetes Doesn’t Impact Dental Implant Success

In the past, it was felt that people with diabetes might not be candidates for dental implants. That’s in part because diabetes is associated with poor oral health generally, including an increased risk of gum disease, which can affect dental implants as well as natural teeth.

But new research suggests that diabetes–even diabetes with poorly controlled blood sugar levels–doesn’t impact dental implant success.

Osteoporosis Doesn’t Undermine Dental Implants

Osteoporosis was thought to be a problem for dental implants for two reasons. First, it could diminish bone density that implants depend on for stability. Second, osteoporosis medications known a bisphosphonates could potentially increase the risk of a serious complication of dental implants–osteonecrosis of the jaw.

However, studies have shown that people with osteoporosis can actually get good results with dental implants, even if they’re taking bisphosphonates.

Anemia Doesn’t Pale Chances

Anemia has been thought to undermine the chances of dental implant success because it may affect the density and structure of bone in the jaw. However, studies have shown that it is possible to get good results for dental implants in patients that have anemia.

And if people are getting good treatment for their anemia, they’re quite likely to get good dental implant results.

Have You Been Told You’re Not a Candidate?

There are many reasons why people were told in the past that they weren’t candidates for dental implants. Most of these patients can now get dental implants. If you would like to learn whether you are a candidate for dental implants in Fairfax County, VA, please call (703) 323-8200 today for an appointment with implant dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban in Burke.