Implants are not an option for everyone. If you have gum disease, it must be treated before implant surgery can be performed. This is because gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can cause implant failure. So, it is important to have healthy gum tissue for successful dental implants.
Fortunately, most people considering implants will still qualify for the procedure even if they have periodontal disease, as long as that disease is being treated successfully.
Implants are not out of the question for patients with gum disease. The good news is, individuals who live with any stage of gum disease can almost always qualify for dental implants after undergoing certain treatments and procedures.
At the end of the day, if you're dealing with gum disease such as receding gums, it doesn't automatically keep you from getting dental implants. The caveat is, you'll need to address the gum disease and ensure your gums and jaws are in tip-top shape before embarking on the dental implant journey.
Patients must have good periodontal health and treat gum disease before dental implant treatment. Gum disease does not usually prevent patients from getting a dental implant, but patients with gum disease may require procedures such as a bone graft in the jaw before the implants can be placed.
The Structure of Your Jaw Bone
A dental implant relies on the bone structure in your jaw for support. If the bone structure is lacking, this can prevent you from getting a dental implant. Bone loss happens for various reasons, including osteoporosis and gum disease.
It's never too late for gum grafting as long as the patient has sufficient gum tissue to harvest for the graft. However, the success rate of the procedure may be lower in cases where the patient has advanced gum disease or other underlying health issues that can affect the healing process.
Your Gum Tissue is Healthy
Healthy gum tissue is absolutely essential to be a good dental implants candidate. If you brush and floss daily and see your dentist every six months for a check-up and teeth cleaning, your mouth is likely in very good shape for any sort of dental restoration.
Left untreated, gum recession can lead to other serious oral health problems, such as bone loss, tooth mobility or feeling "wiggly" or even tooth loss. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Practice Basic Oral Hygiene
Similarly, practicing basic oral hygiene can help strengthen your gums. Keep up a good habit of brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using a mouthwash that has fluoride as one of the main ingredients.
If a dental patient has been diagnosed with gum disease, then they must have their gum disease treated before they can be considered a candidate. If a gum graft is performed on unhealthy gums, then it is likely that the procedure will fail. Good gum health is essential to a successful gum grafting.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue; it isn't an infection of the teeth. Therefore, it is important to understand that removing your teeth will not actually treat or cure your gum disease. However, extractions can be an important part of your overall treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.
Preventing and treating gum disease
In most cases, your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to give your teeth a thorough clean and remove any hardened plaque (tartar). They'll also be able to show you how to clean your teeth effectively to help prevent plaque building up in the future.
Per CDC/AAP, severe periodontitis is defined as having 2 or more interproximal sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL) 6 mm or greater (not on the same tooth) and 1 or more interproximal sites with periodontal probing depth (PPD) 5 mm or greater.
GUM GRAFTS
If gum tissue has been lost your dentist may suggest soft tissue, or gum graft, surgery. This is where tissue is grafted from surrounding gums or the roof of your mouth and stitched to the gum tissue to cover the exposed root of your tooth.
Throughout your surgery, you can expect to feel no pain whatsoever, as the anesthesia will ensure you are thoroughly numb. However, once you are home and the effects have worn off, it is not uncommon to experience some soreness and discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the pain and avoid complications.
Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts placed into the jawbone to replace the lost tooth roots and support a restorative crown, bridge, or dentures. They are one of the best options for restoring missing teeth caused by an accident, gum disease, or other oral health issues.
Yes, we can typically create dentures that work for receding gums. Receding gums often result from gingivitis or periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease can lead to tooth loss without treatment. However, your dentist may recommend dentures if you've started to lose teeth.
If you have advanced periodontitis, you may need dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery, also called pocket reduction surgery. Your periodontist makes cuts in your gums to carefully fold back the tissue. This exposes the tooth roots for more effective scaling and root planing.
During a gum graft surgery, your periodontist will: Give you local anesthesia. This numbs your teeth and gums in that area. Many periodontists also offer sedation dentistry options for your comfort, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation.
If you use your own tissue, the most teeth you can typically graft at once would probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8 teeth. With alloderm, you could graft every single tooth in your mouth in one sitting!
A gum graft is an easy procedure. You will receive sedatives so you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the process. You may receive local anesthesia that keeps you awake while numbing your gums. Your dentist will then extract some tissue from your mouth.
Because it can be multiple months in between steps, the patient will be left with no tooth in the socket. To correct this, the dentist may recommend a temporary solution. A bridge can help the person maintain a full smile before the dentist can finish the implant process.
People who take certain medications, such as steroids or drugs that suppress the immune system, may not be suitable candidates, either. And people with certain habits, such as people who severely grind or clench their teeth, may put too much pressure on the implants, causing long-term damage.