Gum disease is known for the way the infection inflames the gum tissue. But as this disease progresses, it hurts your teeth and jaw as well. It causes severe damage and is even known as the leading cause of tooth loss.
If patients have suffered severe harm to their smiles from this infection, can they replace lost teeth with dental implants? Though implant dentistry offers many restorative advantages for patients with missing teeth, not everyone can qualify for this treatment. Read on to learn about the eligibility for tooth replacement with dental implants after losing teeth due to gum disease.
How Does Gum Disease Lead to Tooth Loss?
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, presents with swelling and bleeding in the gum tissue. This occurs as bacteria infects this part of the mouth and irritates the gums. Without prompt treatment from a dentist, the infection will spread.
Advanced gum disease affects the root of the teeth as well as the jawbone. Bacteria can eat away at these areas, weakening and destroying them. These parts of the mouth cannot regenerate on their own.
Untreated gum disease may cause so much damage that the tooth will fall out of its socket. Even if your dentist gets rid of the infection, the damage from the disease will remain, including the missing teeth.
Will My Gums Support Implants After Periodontal Disease?
After tooth loss, dental patients will look forward to restoring the look and structure of their smile with tooth replacement solutions. Dental implants offer long-lasting and effective restorative treatment for these patients.
However, if the patient suffered major gum recession and structural damage to the jaw due to gum disease, they may not be able to sustain a dental implant. This treatment requires a dentist to surgically insert titanium post anchors into the jaw under the gumline.
If there is not enough healthy gum tissue or jawbone, the anchor will not fuse properly and will not support the prosthetic of the implant. Your dentist can assess dental damage after treating gum disease to determine your eligibility for this treatment. They can see your jawbone structure using x-ray imaging.
Can My Dentist Restore My Gum Health so I Can Receive Implants?
Even if you have suffered significant damage to your gums due to periodontal disease, dental implants are not completely out of the question. If your dentist eradicates the infection and sees that you have a great amount of damage to your gums, they may suggest further treatments to restore your gum health.
This may entail a gum graft to add tissue and stability to the gums. They may also perform a bone graft if the patient needs more structure in their jaw. Once the patient heals from these oral surgeries, the dentist can re-evaluate their oral health to see if they can support a dental implant. Schedule a consultation to learn if dental implants are the best way to restore your smile.