Can You Get Dental Implants with Gum Disease?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small screw-like metal posts that replace teeth in restorative dentistry. Dental implants feature a biocompatible metal called titanium that makes them ideal for replacing tooth roots. A crown is then placed over the tooth implant to complete the procedure.
Why Do People Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants have become popular for many patients seeking to replace their lost teeth. Even though they require an invasive procedure to get them, they are worth it. Many of the benefits include:
- They are permanent – the implants are embedded into your jawbone and eventually fuse with your jawbone offering amazing stability and security. You won’t have to worry about your dental implants coming loose while talking or eating, as would be the case with dentures.
- They can replace multiple missing teeth – since tooth implants do not work independently, they are versatile in replacing teeth. If you want to replace more than one tooth, you can get dentures or dental bridges over the implants instead of a dental crown.
- Long-lasting – dental implants are perhaps the most durable dental restorations for replacing teeth. With proper care, your implants can last a lifetime without retreatment.
- They restore your jawbone’s health – the titanium material integrates perfectly with natural bone tissue to overcome the bone loss.
- They look like natural teeth – dental implants are the only dental restorations for replacing lost teeth with roots and crowns. The crown will be created to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth.
- They are sturdy – while no oral appliance can rival natural teeth’s strength, dental implants come close. They can withstand wear and tear.
If you have questions about dental implants or are looking for a dentist that provides dental implants near you, contact We Care Dental.
Can You Get Dental Implants with Gum Disease?
Gum disease is among the most common oral problems we treat at We Care Dental in Phoenix, AZ. It refers to an infection of the periodontium, typically affecting the gums first. Without treatment, the infection spreads and advances in severity, resulting in a complex and complicated oral issue called periodontitis.
Gum disease has been linked to various dental issues in dentistry, including the following:
- Premature tooth loss
- Exposed tooth roots
- Dental cavities
- Receding gums
- Jaw and gum pain
- Shaky and weak teeth
- Compromised bone health, leading to a weak jawbone
- Spaces between teeth as teeth begin to shift
- Halitosis – a persistent bad odor in your mouth
- Mouth sores that do not heal
Such oral complications can make it impossible for your mouth to function optimally. Getting dental implants entails an intricate surgical procedure. The treatment dictates a healthy jawbone and gums to be successful. Therefore, many patients suffering from gum disease may not be ideal candidates to undergo implantation surgeries to replace lost teeth.
How to Get Dental Implants with Gum Disease
When you have gum disease, your gums are reddened, swollen, tender, sore, and bleeding. That can be enough to disqualify you from undergoing an implantation procedure. Besides that, the infection in your gum tissue causes your body to dissolve the bone tissue. Since the jawbone is the target location for placing a dental implant, you would not be able to get them until your gum disease is treated. The two major procedures necessary to get dental implants when you have gum disease are:
- Gum grafting surgery – to restore damaged gum tissue. The dentist extracts gum grafts from your mouth to repair the receded portion of your gums.
- Bone grafting surgery – to rebuild lost and damaged bone tissue. The surgery entails obtaining a bone graft from other bones in your body or a different source. The grafts will prompt your body to start generating new healthy bone tissue around the socket of the lost tooth.
After the two surgical procedures, your gums should be healthy enough to withstand a dental implant. However, the timeline for getting your implants will be longer than normal. The reason is that you need about three to four months to heal after gum and bone surgery. The healing period is necessary to ensure your jawbone develops its new bone tissue instead of relying on bone grafts. After this period, you can reach out to a surgical dentist for implantation surgery.