Dental Implants and Gum Disease – How Are They Interconnected?
Gum disease and dental implants are interconnected, and one often impacts the other. Gum disease leads to tooth loss in advanced stages, and dental implants are often used to replace lost teeth. However, gums need to be healthy to place dental implants, and gum disease can develop even when implants are put in if they aren’t cared for properly. Understanding the connection between gum disease and dental implants can help you pursue dental treatment before tooth loss or discuss the possibility of treating gum disease so that you can receive dental implants to replace a lost tooth.
The Risks of Gum Disease
Known as periodontal disease, gum disease is a severe infection of the gum tissue. Plaque builds up on your teeth at the gum line, and acid from sugary beverages and food breaks down your teeth and causes tooth decay. If plaque is not removed from teeth, it can turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. Tartar irritates the gums, causing inflammation and resulting in gingivitis.
Over 28.8% of Australian adults developed gum disease in 2020. For optimal dental health, your gums must be healthy. Healthy gums shield your tooth root from bacteria, so if you discover that your gums are receding or bleed when you brush your teeth, you may require gum disease treatment. Your dentist can examine your teeth to see the state of your mouth and recommend dental treatments.
In most cases, gum disease can be easily treated if caught in its early stages. Your dentist can recommend some dental treatments for built-up plaque and tartar, including deep cleaning. Dental hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day for two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste to prevent decay, flossing every day, not smoking, and visiting your dentist regularly can help prevent gum disease.
For more severe cases of gum disease, the infection can cause an abscess to form and eventually lead to deterioration of the connective tissues and bone. If the soft and hard tissue damage is too extensive, the tooth root dies, and the tooth must be removed. If your dentist determines that you need dental implants for tooth loss, then any remaining gum disease must be treated as soon as possible.
Why Does Gum Disease Need to be Treated First Before Dental Implants?
For a dental implant, you need healthy gums and jawbone. Your gum tissue and jawbone may not be strong enough to support the implant, even if you’ve treated the disease. A dentist that offers free consultation can determine the condition of your jaw.
Jawbone needs to be of a certain depth and density for implant placement during surgery.
The implant should be fully covered by gum tissue.
Your dentist can examine your jawbone to determine if a bone graft is necessary, an operation that increases the amount of bone in the jaw to provide a stable base for dental implants.
As soon as you’ve recovered from the procedure and have had time to heal, you will likely be a better candidate for a dental implant.
How Dental Implants Treat the Effects of Gum Disease?
Dental implants are a reliable dental restoration procedure that includes implanting a screw-shaped titanium implant in the maxilla or mandible in your jaw, followed by the placement of a dental crown on the implant, resulting in a bond between the bone and the implant.
Dental implants can stop bone resorption when tooth loss occurs by stimulating bone tissue renewal as it fuses with the implant. Dental implants can also prevent other issues caused by tooth loss, such as tooth misalignment, facial sagging, and premature aging.
Why Do You Need to Take Care of Your Dental Implants?
Just as natural teeth require oral hygiene, dental implants require a similar regimen. Although dental implants are easier to take care of than dentures and other treatments, dental care for dental implants is no less rigorous.
Besides following your regular dental hygiene habits, make sure to schedule regular cleanings to remove plaque buildup and tartar around your teeth and gums. If you do not take care of your dental implants well, plaque can develop again.
It can start to irritate the gums around an implant crown, which can result in peri-implantitis, an advanced form of gum disease. This may lead to bone loss, which can cause the dental implant to loosen.
Get High-Quality Dental Care at Dentistry on Solent
Understanding the interconnected nature of gum disease and dental implants can help you make informed decisions about your oral health and dental treatments to restore your smile.
Keeping your mouth clean enables you to avoid gum disease and not have to go through dental implant treatment. If you have severe gum disease and lose a tooth, getting dental implants can be an excellent choice to restore the look and function of your smile. Your dentist can explain the options for gum disease treatment before undergoing dental implant surgery.
If you have a missing tooth, dental implants are a permanent restoration that supports your oral health so you can live your life free of discomfort.
Dentistry on Solent offers high-quality dental services in Baulkham Hills so that you can receive comprehensive dental care. Our Dentist Bella Vista is dedicated to patient comfort and care, ensuring you have a pleasant experience at our practice. Call us on (02) 9158 6137 to schedule your free consultation for implants.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
