The simple answer is no. You need healthy, strong gums to get a dental implant. Like we mentioned before, gum disease weakens and dissolves this tissue and bone. So even after you've treated the disease, your gum tissue and jawbone may not be strong enough to support an implant.
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.
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.
It can be difficult to get dental implants because you may not have enough bone left in your jaw to hold the implant. So, the question remains, can you get dental implants with bone loss? Yes, you can. Most of the time, however, bone will need to be replaced before you can receive any dental work.
You might be wondering, can I get dental implants with gum disease? You cannot get dental implants if you are currently suffering from gum disease. However, in most cases, once the gum disease has been treated, you will be able to move forward with dental implants.
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.
BONE GRAFTING
An excellent choice for a bone graft is your own bone. This will most likely come from your chin or ramus (the back part of your lower jaw). If your dentist is unable to get enough bone from these areas, bone may have to be obtained from your hip or shin bone (tibia) instead.
While the bones around the teeth will weaken when teeth are lost, the cheekbones will remain strong. This means dental implants can still be used even if you've experienced severe bone loss. Your dental implants can be anchored to the zygomatic bone instead.
Bone loss around dental implants is generally measured by monitoring changes in marginal bone level using radiographs. After the first year of implantation, an implant should have <0.2 mm annual loss of marginal bone level to satisfy the criteria of success.
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.
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.
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.
Gum graft surgery is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment option for gum recession. Typically, a periodontist (gum specialist) performs this procedure. During this surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue.
In most cases, dental bone loss can be stopped. And with expert periodontal care, you can actually regenerate bone and reverse bone loss.
If you have severe gum disease known as periodontitis, you may have lost some of the bone that holds your teeth in place. Your dentist or a gum disease specialist (periodontist) may suggest a bone graft. Bone grafts can help grow new bone to replace the bone destroyed by periodontitis.
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.
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.
Not everyone considering dental implants requires bone grafting. Instead, the procedure is often recommended under the following circumstances: Development defects. History of advanced gum disease.
If there is not enough gum tissue present, this can increase the risks of implant failure. In fact, severe gum recession and/or bone loss can prevent a person from being a candidate for dental implants.
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.
Does gum graft surgery hurt? You'll be numb during your gum graft surgery, so you won't feel anything during the procedure. You'll probably have mild soreness after your procedure, but your periodontist will give you medications and post-surgical instructions to help minimize your discomfort.
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.
It should be noted that the success of dental implants is around 97%, which is high. But it does mean that there is a chance that it will fail or be rejected 3% of the time.