It’s easy to think of different parts of the body as being completely separate. After all, if there’s something wrong with your teeth, you see a dentist, but if there’s something wrong with your heart, you see a cardiologist. When you’re considering a complex treatment like dental implants, it’s essential to remember that your body is one whole system. Dental implants can affect your heart health, and your heart health can affect your dental implants!
To see how it all connects, keep reading.
Can I Get Dental Implants if I Have a Heart Condition?
Yes – though your treatment plan might look a little different. Your implant dentist, cardiologist, and primary care provider will work together to evaluate your anesthesia tolerance, bleeding risks, medications, and other ways your condition could impact your experience.
The implants themselves likely won’t affect your heart too much, so your doctors’ main concern will be making sure you’re safe during implant surgery and recovery. Certain anesthetics may be “off-limits” for you, and your care team may need to temporarily adjust the dosage of your medications.
Do Dental Implants Help with Heart Health?
Yes! Research shows that missing teeth increase your risk of gum disease, oral infection, and malnutrition – all of which can contribute to chronic inflammation. When your body is constantly inflamed, it puts a dangerous strain on your heart. Plus, the bacteria and plaque associated with gum disease have been found in the bloodstream and can, in severe cases, infect the heart.
Dental implants support heart health by mitigating the harmful effects of long-term tooth loss. They’re also simple to clean and provide the most chewing power out of any tooth replacement, making it easy to maintain a hygienic smile and a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Overall, dental implants can help support your heart health, even if you have a heart condition. With proper treatment planning, you should be able to receive the best tooth replacement modern dentistry has to offer. Just remember to be honest about your medical history and keep your PCP and cardiologist in the loop!
About the Practice
Dr. Angela Courtney and Dr. Christy Cox are highly experienced implant dentists in Columbus. They’re able to complete the entire dental implant treatment process in-office, and will be with you every step of the way. If you have a heart condition and are interested in dental implants, give Dr. Courtney and Dr. Cox a call at 614-451-7393.