Gum Disease and Dental Implants: Can You Still Get Implants?
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According to University of Melbourne researchers, one in ten people with missing teeth can’t get a dental implant. Reduced chances of success include insufficient healthy jawbone, uncontrolled diabetes, addiction to smoking, and taking certain medications. Periodontal disease can also provoke implant failure, but luckily, this condition is treatable. We’ll discuss the risks involved and how you can contribute to the success of the procedure if you want to have dental implants with gum disease.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, is an oral infection that affects the gum tissue and jawbone, which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. It is caused by a plaque buildup around the gumline. If not regularly removed, bacteria can bring about bad breath, inflammation, bleeding, and tenderness of gums, promote receding gum line, and even cause pus between teeth. A patient can feel their teeth are loose, since the healthy jawbone deteriorates, too.
Gum disease is manageable with corresponding treatment focused on reducing the infection and rebuilding some extent of tissue and jawbone. The early stage of gum disease—gingivitis—is reversible if detected in time.
How Gum Disease Affects Dental Implants
Statistics show that 42% of adults aged 30 and older have gum disease, and dental implants may not be successful if your oral health is compromised. To make dental implants stable, you first need to treat the disease. Gum infection can cause significant damage if neglected: an implant can fail to integrate with the jawbone correctly and fall out when you lack healthy bone and tissues to support it. Periodontitis weakens gum tissue and jawbone, making gum disease and implants incompatible before you get an all-encompassing periodontics treatment.
Can You Get Dental Implants With Gum Disease?
A safe implant procedure requires strong gum tissue and a thick jawbone to stabilize the titanium post and final restoration. Unfortunately, gum disease can negatively affect the procedure’s success: a dental implant can fail if you don’t take care of your oral health first. Thus, we at VIP Dental Care don’t recommend getting dental implants with gum disease. Once the infection is successfully treated and the oral health is stabilized, patients can become suitable candidates for dental implants.
Treating Gum Disease Before Implants
Advanced dental procedures enable people with periodontitis to stop the disease and get implants. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition and may require preliminary X-rays to check the state of your teeth and jawbone. It may involve:
- Professional teeth cleaning. You may need to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned by a certified hygienist to get under the gums and alleviate the disease manifestations.
- Antibiotics. A doctor can prescribe you medications if the disease has spread too far.
- Tooth extraction. You might need to have damaged teeth removed if the infection has seriously impacted their condition.
- Gum surgery. Gum contouring may be required to restore gum tissue damaged by periodontitis. Surgical reconstruction makes the gum edge even, and the smile balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
Even if your dental situation is complex, specialists in our Cosmetic & Implant Dental Office in Forest Hills, NY can offer a matching solution. Years of expertise and high professionalism empower our doctors to handle the most intricate issues with well-grounded treatment plans and meticulous attention to individual details.
Risks of Placing Implants With Active Gum Disease
The ongoing gum disease is associated with numerous risks because of severe damage to the gum tissues and the bone supporting teeth. Gum disease and dental implants are compatible only when the gums are stabilized, which means the absence of active infection, serious gum recession, bleeding, swelling, pus, or tenderness in the gums. Otherwise, you risk facing:
- poor healing;
- implant loosening over time;
- peri-implantitis (inflammation in the connective tissues surrounding the implant and consequent loss of supporting jawbone);
- early implant failure;
- late complications.
Active gum infection creates a favorable environment for bacteria and undermines the immune system, making it vital to initially treat the gums for successful osseointegration.
How to Improve Success Rate
Timely prevention of gum disease encourages your gums to heal and fight bacterial infection. Here’s what you can do to prevent gum disease and contribute to a smooth post-surgery recovery:
- Stick to a daily brushing and flossing routine.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities and fortify tooth enamel.
- Schedule regular dental appointments (at least twice a year).
- Consume more foods that prevent tooth decay.
- Replace your old toothbrush every 1–3 months.
- Use interdental brushes for more thorough cleaning of tough areas between your teeth.
- Quit smoking and vaping to avert peri-implantitis.
- Get in-office teeth cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar from your teeth.
- In the late stages of gum disease, you might need bone grafts.
These actionable measures contribute to better oral health and create a solid foundation for a dental implant. The success rate largely depends on the professional expertise of an oral surgeon, your following post-operative instructions, and addressing any underlying dental issues before implant placement.
Conclusion
Practicing diligent oral hygiene habits and visiting your dentist for a thorough dental exam helps you spot gum disease sooner and prevent negative outcomes. It’s not advisable to get a dental implant with periodontitis—it’s vital to reverse the infection to avoid the risk of potential implant failure. The disease can cause receding gums, bleeding, inflammation, or tenderness, which can lead to poor healing, late complications, and implant loosening. The sooner you seek high-quality dental care and treat the condition, the earlier you can alleviate the bothersome symptoms and get a smile makeover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dental implants fail more often with periodontitis?
Yes. According to the American Association of Endodontists, dental implants are 10 times more lost because of periodontal disease. Other studies also prove that patients who suffer from gum disease are more prone to implant failure, making it crucial to treat it at the early stages.
How long after gum treatment can I get implants?
You’d better wait around 3 to 6 months to let your gums heal after the treatment if you want dental implants. Stabilized gums are a must for a smooth post-op recovery and fewer risks of negative issues.
Is gum disease a contraindication for implants?
Yes, but this limitation is temporary. Gum disease is associated with high implant failure rates, but having it fully treated opens the way for successful implant placement.
What is peri-implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is a disease occurring in tissues surrounding dental implants, accompanied by inflammation in the connective tissue and progressive loss of supporting jawbone. The risk factors include diabetes, smoking, and a lack of regular maintenance care around the implant.
Additional Resources
- Explore a recent study to learn the preventive strategies and management of peri-implant disease.
- Read about implant treatment in periodontitis-susceptible patients to understand the success rates.
- Examine the survival and success of implants for patients with periodontitis more precisely in this expert narrative review.
- A 20‐year prospective study on clinical outcomes of dental implants in patients with a medical history of periodontitis can help you understand what the overall implant survival rate depends on.
