Looking for dental implants to replace missing teeth? They’re a fantastic option with a high success rate. However, achieving that success involves more than just finding a skilled dentist and the best dental implants in Parkersburg. Ensuring your overall oral health, particularly your gums, is equally important.
If you have gum disease, you might wonder if dental implants are still an option for you. Let’s dive into what you need to know and the steps you should take to ensure your oral health is ready for implants.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common condition that affects the gums and bones supporting your teeth. It can range from mild inflammation (gingivitis) to severe damage (periodontitis), leading to tooth loss if left untreated.
Symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Healthy gums are essential for the success of dental implants because they help anchor the implant securely in place.
Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Gum Disease?
The good news is that having gum disease doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting dental implants. However, active gum disease must be treated before you can proceed with implant surgery. Here’s what you need to know:
Treating Gum Disease First
Before you can think about implants, you need to get your gum disease under control. This usually involves professional cleaning, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), and possibly antibiotics. Your dentist or periodontist will help create a treatment plan tailored to your needs to restore your gum health. Here is more information about some of the steps commonly involved:
- Professional Cleaning: Regular cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that contribute to gum disease.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This deep-cleaning procedure helps remove bacteria from below the gum line and smooths the tooth root to prevent future buildup.
- Antibiotic Therapy: Sometimes, antibiotics are prescribed to help eliminate infection and reduce inflammation.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Once the initial treatment is complete, regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor your gum health and prevent recurrence.
Assessing Bone Density
Gum disease can cause bone loss, which might affect the stability of your dental implants. Your dentist will check your bone density with X-rays or CT scans to see if you have enough bone to support an implant. If there is not enough bone, a bone graft might be necessary to rebuild the bone structure. Here’s what you should know about this procedure:
- Bone Grafting: This procedure involves transplanting bone tissue to areas where bone is deficient. It helps create a stable foundation for dental implants. The graft can be taken from another part of your body or a donor, or it can be synthetic.
- Healing Time: After a bone graft, a healing period of several months is typically required before placing the implant to ensure the bone integrates properly.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Once your gum disease is treated, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial to prevent it from coming back. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings are essential to keep your gums healthy and support your implants.
- Daily Oral Care: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth and below the gumline.
- Regular Dental Visits: Schedule professional cleanings and check-ups every six months or as recommended by your dentist.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Avoid smoking and maintain a balanced diet to support your overall oral health.
Ready to Get the Best Dental Implants in Parkersburg?
Having gum disease doesn’t mean you can’t get dental implants. It does, however, mean that you need to manage and treat the gum disease first.
Here at Richard Newhart DDS, we specialize in comprehensive gum disease treatment and dental implant procedures. If you’re considering dental implants and have concerns about gum disease, schedule a consultation with us today. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that ensures the best possible outcome. Contact us!