Dental implants are durable, can last a lifetime, and, perhaps best of all, they look and function just like natural teeth. But if you have gum disease, you might be worried if it’ll make it harder for you to restore your teeth.
The answer? Yes, you can get dental implants with gum disease, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. Gum disease, particularly in its advanced stages, can weaken the gums and jawbone, which are essential for a stable dental implant. Before implants are an option, the gum disease must be treated to create a healthier foundation.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition affecting the gums and sometimes the underlying bone. It starts off as gingivitis, causing red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss.
At this early stage, gum disease is still reversible with good oral hygiene and regular dental care. But if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease that damages the bones supporting your teeth.
The Long-Term Effects of Gum Disease
While gingivitis may be annoying, it’s periodontitis that really causes trouble when it comes to dental implants. As periodontitis worsens, it leads to bone deterioration and gum recession, which eventually result in loose teeth or even tooth loss. And here’s the problem for implant candidates: implants rely on healthy bone to anchor securely. So if the bone is compromised, the foundation for a stable implant may no longer exist.
How Gum Disease Impacts Dental Implants
Implants Need a Strong Foundation
Dental implants are anchored directly into the jawbone, meaning they depend on both the bone and gums to hold them firmly in place. In a healthy mouth, the bone tissue is dense and robust enough to keep the implant secure. But with gum disease, particularly advanced periodontitis, this bone support is weakened. The risk? Your implant may not integrate well, or worse, it could fail altogether.
Inflammation and Healing Complications
If gum disease is active, ongoing inflammation can disrupt the healing process. An inflamed mouth isn’t an ideal setting for a new implant because it heightens the chance of infections post-surgery. Infection can create even more issues down the road, possibly requiring implant removal. To ensure implants have the best chance of success, addressing gum disease first is key.
Can You Still Get Implants with Gum Disease?
The short answer is: possibly, but it depends on the severity of the gum disease and your overall health. Assessing the gum disease severity is often the first step. Your dentist will evaluate whether the gum disease is manageable and how it’s affected your bone health. They might use tools like X-rays to assess bone levels or conduct periodontal probing to measure gum pocket depths.
Treating Gum Disease First
Depending on the stage of gum disease, it may have to be addressed first before you can move on to a dental implant procedure.
| Stage of Gum Disease | Description | Treatment | Purpose for Implant Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Gums | No disease; gums are pink, firm, and attached to teeth. | Regular oral hygiene and dental cleanings. | Ensures optimal gum and bone health for implant stability. |
| Gingivitis | Early gum disease; gums are red, swollen, and may bleed during brushing or flossing. | Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), improved oral hygiene habits. | Removes plaque and bacteria, promoting healthier gums for implant placement. |
| Mild Periodontitis | Moderate gum infection; deeper gum pockets, minor bone loss around teeth. | Deep cleaning, antimicrobial treatments, potential use of antibiotics. | Reduces infection and prepares tissue for potential implant placement. |
| Moderate Periodontitis | Advanced gum disease; significant gum recession and bone loss, deeper pockets around teeth. | Periodontal surgery (flap surgery), bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration. | Restores lost bone and prepares jaw for a stable implant base. |
| Severe Periodontitis | Extensive gum and bone loss; loose teeth, receding gums, high risk of tooth loss. | Tooth extraction, extensive bone grafting, possible sinus lift for upper jaw. | Rebuilds bone structure to support future implant stability. |
| Stage of Gum Disease | Description | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Gums | No disease; gums are pink, firm, and attached to teeth. | Regular oral hygiene and dental cleanings. |
| Gingivitis | Early gum disease; gums are red, swollen, and may bleed during brushing or flossing. | Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), improved oral hygiene habits. |
| Mild Periodontitis | Moderate gum infection; deeper gum pockets, minor bone loss around teeth. | Deep cleaning, antimicrobial treatments, potential use of antibiotics. |
| Moderate Periodontitis | Advanced gum disease; significant gum recession and bone loss, deeper pockets around teeth. | Periodontal surgery (flap surgery), bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration. |
| Severe Periodontitis | Extensive gum and bone loss; loose teeth, receding gums, high risk of tooth loss. | Tooth extraction, extensive bone grafting, possible sinus lift for upper jaw. |
To maximise implant success, treating the gum disease before implantation is crucial. Scaling and root planing, a deep-cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline, is often the first line of defence. Antibiotics or other medications might be used alongside this procedure to reduce bacteria levels and calm inflammation. In more advanced cases, surgical procedures might be required to restore gum and bone health.
Surgical Treatments for Severe Cases
If scaling and root planing alone isn’t enough, surgical options can help. Flap surgery, for example, involves lifting the gums to get a closer look at the roots and bone. This allows for deeper cleaning and possible bone regeneration procedures, like bone grafting and sinus lifts, if the bone has deteriorated significantly.
Bone grafting places new bone material where the bone has been lost, giving the jaw a more solid structure to support an implant in the future.
Alternatives to Implants for Patients with Advanced Gum Disease
While dental implants may be the ideal choice for many, they might not be an option for everyone, especially in cases where bone or gum health is beyond repair.
Removable Dentures and Bridges
For patients with extensive bone and gum loss, traditional removable dentures or bridges may be better options. While these aren’t permanent solutions, they provide functional and aesthetic results without needing to anchor into the jawbone.
Consider Implants After Bone Regeneration
If you’re set on implants, some restorative procedures, like bone grafting, can create a better foundation. Bone grafting involves placing bone material in areas with bone loss, often preparing the jawbone for a future implant. While this process may take several months of healing before an implant is even considered, it’s worth it for those committed to achieving the best possible outcome.
Prepare Your Teeth For Implants With EL Lim Dental Surgery
Klinik Pergigian E. L. Lim Dental Surgery
Getting dental implants with gum disease is possible, but it requires some extra steps to ensure a healthy, strong foundation. Treating gum disease first is crucial to help your gums and jawbone become implant-ready, and your dentist can guide you through personalised treatments for the best outcome. If you’re curious about whether dental implants are right for you, consult with a dental professional who can assess your gum health and lay out the best treatment options tailored to your needs.
