What You Need to Know About Dental Implants and Cancer
According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Only heart disease outranks cancer in the U.S. Although cancer can cause death, it doesn’t always.
Individuals afflicted with cancer have and can beat it. Those individuals, many times, are in need of dental implants to replace missing teeth. We’ll knock down the notion that dental implants can cause cancer, and then discuss about getting dental implants after cancer treatment.
Can Dental Implants Cause Cancer?
Numerous studies have found that dental implants do not cause cancer. Often, oral squamous cell carcinoma is confused with peri-implantitis. This confusion has led many to speculate that dental implants cause cancer, when it does not.
Peri-implantitis is inflammation around the gums. It can happen after dental implants. Soft gum tissue becomes irritated. This leads to the body reabsorbing bone. Peri-implantitis isn’t common. There are also many ways to treat it. Treatment varies and depends on when your dentist discovers the condition. Regular checkups after dental implants no doubt will discover peri-implantitis before it becomes a major issue.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is commonly referred to as oral cancer. Oral cancer makes up less than 5% of all cancers in the United States. 95% of oral cancer afflicts those who smoke, drink alcohol, or do both.
Dental implants not only do not cause cancer they can also alleviate some of the issues that come with tooth loss. That makes dental implants a possible good thing for cancer patients.
Can Individuals with Cancer Get Dental Implants?
It depends on the type of cancer and where it’s found. Cancer patients must go through either radiation or chemotherapy. Some cancer patients must go through both radiation and chemotherapy.
If the radiation or chemotherapy affects bone density, the cancer patient may not qualify for dental implants. Bone density, and gum tissue health, are the two most important qualifications for dental implants.
For those cancer patients that get radiation therapy, there is the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Commonly called ONJ, osteonecrosis of the jaw occurs when the jaw bone becomes exposed and suffers from a lack of blood.
Cancer patients that develop osteonecrosis cannot get dental implants. Healthy jawbone is required for the implant post. If cancer patients wish to get mini-dental implants, a possible alternative, they must consult their oncologist as well as their dentist.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause the following:
- Dry mouth – Dry mouth makes it hard to eat, swallow, and speak. It can also lead to tooth decay.
- Tooth decay – Radiation treatment can cause major tooth decay problems.
- Sore throat and/or mouth – Radiation can cause inflammation and painful ulcers.
- Sore or bleeding gums – Radiation softens gums. That can lead to sores and bleeding. It’s a good idea to avoid toothpicks and to not brush too hard if you have sore or bleeding gums.
- Infections – Mouth infections can lead to more debilitating issues. Check for mouth sores on a daily basis whether you have gone through radiation or chemotherapy.
All afflictions listed above can be detrimental to a cancer patient receiving dental implants. In many cases, soft bone tissue requires a bone graft. Dental bone graft procedures often aren’t possible while a patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
It’s important that patients consult their oncologists first before considering implants.
Dental Implants After Cancer Treatment
While in remission, it’s possible for many patients to receive dental implants. All dental implants require strong bone and healthy gum tissue. No matter the type of post, titanium or ceramic, full dental implants must be drilled into strong bone. Healthy gum tissue is required during the healing process.
Steps cancer patients can take to get dental implants:
- Discuss with their oncologist – A patient’s cancer treatment supersedes procedures like dental implants. The best course of action is for patients to first discuss with their oncologist.
- Create a plan with their oncologist and dentist – Once an oncologist gives the go ahead for dental implants, the patient should then consult their dentist and create a plan.
- Decide on which clinic will perform the dental implant procedure – At this point, patients are likely to make the decision on which clinic will perform their dental implant procedure.
Dentists in Costa Rica are more than capable of consulting with a cancer patient’s oncologist and/or dentist to determine the best course of action for a dental implant procedure. Costa Rican dental clinics and dentists are as qualified, if not more so, than dental clinics in the United States. Check out our blog on Costa Rica Dental Clinics for more information about dentistry in Costa Rica.
Dental Implants & Cancer Patients: Benefits
Cancer patients benefit from dental implants the same way any person who gets implants benefit.
Benefits of dental implants in cancer patients:
- Appearance – Dental implants provide a set of teeth that are permanent, natural, and look great. Implants are the closest thing to real teeth that a person can get.
- Speech improvement – Because implants are placed directly into jawbone, there’s no chance of slippage. Slippage, which can occur with dentures, can affect speech patterns. Missing teeth can affect speech patterns as well.
- Comfort – Once healed dental implants are incredibly comfortable. Many dental implant patients might forget they have implants.
- Chewing – The crown placed on an implant acts like a real tooth. Mastication, the process of breaking down food in the mouth via chewing, becomes a breeze.
- Self-esteem – Smiling leads to improved self-esteem. For most people it’s much easier to smile when one has a full set of teeth.
Why Costa Rica is the Perfect Place for Cancer Patients to Get Dental Implants
There are two reasons people in the United States don’t get dental implants. The first is cost. The second is due to the oral health reality in the United States. First, let’s discuss cost.
The cost to receive an All on 4 dental implant procedure in the United States can be around $50,000. The cost for an All on 8 in the U.S. can run to $80,000. That costs too much for most individuals.
Second, the reason it costs too much is because most insurance companies won’t cover even 50% of a dental implant procedure. Insurance companies prefer to cover less costly alternatives to dental implants like dentures.
Dental tourism was created to address all dental procedure cost concerns. In Costa Rica, the average cost for an All on 4 is $25,000 or less. A single arch costs $11,000 or less while an All on 8 costs $35,000 or less.
How Care Overseas Can Help
Care Overseas was created to help U.S. and Canadian citizens find an alternative destination for their dental procedures. We believe that everyone has the right to affordable dental care. We provide dental tourism services from helping patients find the perfect dental clinic in Costa Rica to finding a place to stay while in our nation, and to even setting up tourist activities during their stay.
Head to Care Overseas now and get a quote for your dental procedure. You can also call us at 866-778-2766 and we will walk you through the process. Dental care shouldn’t be stressful. Let Care Overseas help!