Does Type II Diabetes Affect Implant Survival Rate?
By Dr. Kenneth Klonsky
July 26, 2018
A recent study evaluated implant survival in 169 patients with moderately controlled Type II diabetics and were followed for 5 to 15 years. This group of patients had collectively received over 1,100 implants. Some previous studies had shown reduced implant survival rates in diabetic patients. The results showed that implant survival and bone levels around implants were comparable to reported outcomes in nondiabetic patients.
This is good news for patients who are Type II diabetics and require implants. It is understood that diabetic patients often have impaired circulation and reduced ability to fight infections. In spite of this, the patients in this practice had successful implant outcomes regardless of whether or not they were Type II diabetics. So based on this one study, being diabetic should not be a reason to refuse implant placement if that is the best treatment option.