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When your tooth acts up and you’re a diabetic
Scenario: You’re enjoying your favourite filter coffee and – ouch! – a bolt of lightning in your gum.
You go to see Partha Dental and your dentist says, “Looks like we may need to do a root canal.” But you are diabetic, and now your brain starts to wonder: is it safe? Will my blood sugar ruin the whole thing?
Don’t fret, dear reader this blog is your guide to root canal for the diabetic patient. First, we’ll cover if a root canal is safe for diabetic patients; then we will walk through the RCT procedure for diabetic patients; and, we’d like to give some good root canal tips for diabetic patients, and finish with a bit of fun to illuminate the drama of dentistry.
Root Canal for Diabetic Patients — Is it safe?
In short: yes, root canal treatment is generally considered to be safe for diabetic patients with some parameters. But “safe” is not a “blank cheque” type of statement; there are risks!!
The science underlying this
when poorly controlled, lowers the immune function, reduces blood flow to the tissues, and delays healing.
When thinking of dental disease and root canals, if your diabetic who’ll have to face :
- Slower healing of the tissues at the root.
- Slightly increased risk of residual or recurrent infection if any bacteria remain.
- A possibly lower success rate or later onset of success in diabetic vs. non-diabetic patients.
BUT when a patient keeps their blood sugar under control and the dentist takes additional precautions, the chances for successful treatment becomes much higher.
Research suggests that diabetes is a variable that might affect healing, but it does not mean that root canal treatment is unsafe. It means that the dentist will manage your tooth with a little more TLC (Tender Loving Caution).
Yes, people with diabetes can safely undergo a root canal procedure as long as we are prudent and maintain close monitoring.
Root Canal Advice for Diabetic Patients — Your 7 “Do’s & Don’ts”
Here’s a fun, collection of advice to make your root canal experience go smoother:
1. High Diabetes Control (aim for good A1c levels).
2. Have an appropriate snack before your appointment.
3. Notify your dentist of all medications.
4. Take antibiotics as prescribed.
5. Request a morning appointment (this can help with the stability of the sugar levels).
6. Stay hydrated (as dry mouth is common with diabetics).
7. Know the signs of healing and follow up accordingly.
Also, do not skip regular dental visits. Preventing problems by cleaning teeth and treating cavities early will lessen you chance of big dental dramas.
Is Root Canal Safe for Diabetic Patients – Common anxiety.
Let’s tackle some common concerns and myths about root canal for diabetic patients.
“Will my sugar spike, or crash, during the procedure?”
No if you are vigilant. Eat on time, take your medications, and let the dentist know your sugar level that day.
“What if my tooth doesn’t heal properly?”
Healing and regeneration can be slower in diabetics (especially poorly controlled). This doesn’t mean it is a failure, simply just a matter of waiting and following up on a regular basis.
“Do I need antibiotics because of my diabetes all the time?”
The answer is no, the dentist will place an antibiotic if they think there is a risk of infection or if they feel the tooth will heal slowly or is compromised. If the dentist doesn’t feel that is the case then usually cleaning the tooth and sealing it will be fine.
“Is the anesthesia dangerous?”
Most diabetic people tolerate local anesthesia perfectly well. The dentist will always use what is appropriate based on your medical history, lifestyle and other factors.
“Should I bypass the root canal and extract the tooth?”
Extraction may seem easier in some ways, but keeping the tooth you were born with is definitely the best option when it comes to your teeth and longevity of health. A root canal will keep your normal chewing function, cosmetic look and maintain your jaw relationship – win-win-win.
Book your FREE consultationRCT Procedure for Diabetic Patients – Step by Step
Here is how Partha Dental handles the RCT procedure for diabetic patients:
1. Consult & Medical Assessment
You provide your HbA1c report and list of medications. The dentist gives you thumbs-up…or lets you know that you should better control your sugar level first.
2. Sugar Check & Snack
Your sugar level is checked prior to any procedures.
If you need or want a snack, you can very briefly have a light snack to help prevent you from having low sugar issues during the procedure.
3. Anesthesia with care approach
We administer local anesthesia treatment that is the safest possible for your health status.
4. Isolation & access
After putting you to sleep, we would isolate the area and access through the tooth structure to the pulp chamber while cleaning out the infected area.
5. Cleaning & disinfecting of the canal
Once we have the infected area exposed, we would disinfect the area thoroughly as to not leave any signs of infection in the root canal system.
6. Medication
If necessary, we may put some antibiotics in the root canals until your next appointment.
7. Sealing & obtaining
Once we have disinfected the teeth, the canals would be filled with filling material, and again, sealing them appropriately.
8. Crowning
Once we have sealed the canal, we will place a crown cap on the top of the tooth to protect and restore the use of the tooth.
9. Follow-ups
You will be given an appointment to follow up for the overall healing and success of the root canal treatment.
At Partha Dental, we understand the complexities of your individual diabetic care. We take the worry out by checking your blood sugar before your appointment, confirming your anesthesia is suited for you and your body , and confirming that you have post-op Instructions and appointments tailored to your needs and aftercare.
Call us now– 04041420000 to book an appointment today, and let’s get you smiling without the ouch!
FAQs
A: No, we have many diabetic patients with controlled sugar levels who do not have a root canal failure.
A: There isn’t a particular range, however your dentist would like your fasting sugar and HbA1c levels to be within a safe range to be able to start your treatment without any risk.
A: In most cases the answer is no. As your natural teeth are better for your jaw, chewing and smile. Try to save the tooth whenever possible! Extraction should be the last option.
A: Healing may take a little longer than the average patient possibly a few months but usually it is without complication when your sugar is stable.
A: Yes, usually it can. If you are having a persistent issue with a root-filled tooth, a treatment of re-doing the root canal or a small surgical procedure can help.
Dental Questions? We’re here to help!
Disclaimer:
The prices mentioned in this blog are indicative and may vary based on the severity of the condition, technology used, and materials suggested by the Dentist. They are accurate as of the date of publishing and subject to change as per clinic policy. Third-party or AI-generated estimates may not reflect actual clinic pricing. For accurate costs, please visit your nearest Partha Dental clinic.
