Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic conditions we see in dentistry. Whether it’s Type 1 (a genetic condition) or Type 2 (often linked to age or lifestyle), diabetes affects how your body processes glucose—and this has important implications for healing and infection control.
When blood sugar levels are consistently high, the immune system becomes less effective. White blood cells—your body’s natural defense against infection—are compromised, which means inflammation and healing are both impaired.
So, what does this mean for dental implants? The key indicator we look at is your HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood sugar control.
HbA1c is what’s known as glycated haemoglobin. This reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) that has glucose bound to it.
If your HbA1c is below 8.0, you’re typically considered a candidate for dental implants. With proper glycemic control through medication, diet, and lifestyle, patients with diabetes can receive dental implants—provided there’s careful planning, medical collaboration, and stable blood sugar management.
We’re happy to communicate with your primary care physician or endocrinologist to ensure your dental implant treatment is safe, seamless, and fully aligned with your overall health plan. At SameDay Dental Clinic, we believe collaboration leads to better outcomes—especially when managing complex conditions like diabetes.
Dr. Samintharaj Kumar
General Dentist & Specialist Implantologist
MBBS, BDS, MRCS, MFDSRCS, MFDRCSI, FICD, FICOI, DICOI, MBA
MBBS, BDS, MRCS, MFDSRCS, MFDRCSI, FICD, FICOI, DICOI, MBA
