Short-term evaluation of dental implants in a diabetic population: an in vivo study

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of implant supported tooth replacement in diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved placement of implants (UNITI implants, Equinox Medical Technologies, Zeist, Holland, diameter of 3.7 mm and length 13 mm) in five diabetic patients (three females and two males) of age ranging from 35-65 years with acceptable metabolic control of plasma glucose. All patients included in the study were indicated for single tooth maxillary central incisor replacement, with the adjacent teeth intact. The survival of the restored implants was assessed for a period of three months by measurement of crestal bone heights, bleeding on probing and micro flora predominance. Paired t-test was done to find out the difference in the microbial colonization, bleeding on probing and crestal bone loss. P values of less than 0.05 were taken to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Results indicated that there was a significant reduction in bleeding on probing and colonization at the end of three months and the bone loss was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study explores the hypothesis that patients with diabetes are appropriate candidates for implants and justifies the continued evaluation of the impact of diabetes on implant success and complications.