Can Someone With Periodontal Disease Get Dental Implants?

Periodontal disease is a gum infection that is caused by poor oral hygiene. Plaque builds up on the teeth, leading to tartar. When left untreated, it can result in damage to the jaw, receding gums, and even tooth loss. There are many symptoms related to gum disease. At My Dentist in Plano, Dr. Darren K. Dickson provides comprehensive dental exams to detect gum disease. During this visit in Plano, TX, he can determine if you’re a candidate for dental procedures, such as dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They help to improve the appearance of a smile and to restore oral health. Dr. Dickson examines patients to determine whether they are a candidate for dental implants. These screw-like posts are surgically placed directly into the jawbone to look like healthy and natural-looking teeth. After a healing period, known as osseointegration, the implant itself becomes a base for an artificial tooth or a crown. Osseointegration is when the bone starts to grow into and fuse with the implant. After the healing process is complete, a crown is placed atop the implant to finish the process.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a gum infection that is broken up into four stages:

Gingivitis: This stage of periodontal disease is the only one reversible because it hasn’t attacked the bones yet. Bleeding gums is one of the first symptoms experienced. Most gingivitis symptoms are painless, though. An efficient oral hygiene routine, along with regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings, can help to treat and reverse gingivitis.
Slight periodontal disease: Slight periodontal disease is the second stage of gum disease. This stage is not reversible but is manageable. Once you reach stage two, the gum infection has spread to the bone and has begun to destroy the bone. The bacteria have also become more aggressive, which can lead to bone loss. A scaling and root planing treatment can be used to deep clean the teeth and gums, which removes deposits of bacteria that are deep inside your gums.
Moderate periodontal disease: This third stage of periodontal disease has more probing depths, which means more bacteria have attacked bone and the bloodstream.
Advanced periodontal disease: This is the final stage of periodontal disease and the most severe. It is when the infection has evolved into disease-causing bacteria, which leads to red, tender, or swollen gums that ooze pus; severe tooth sensitivity; loose teeth; severe bad breath; and, of course, bone loss. This stage requires periodontal surgery to deep clean the bacteria-filled pockets. When left untreated, it can lead to gaps or spacing of the teeth.

Common signs of gum disease

Gum disease is considered a silent disease because it has symptoms that don’t always appear until it’s more advanced. Some common symptoms of gum disease include:

Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Loose or separating teeth
Receding gums
Severe bad breath
Mouth sores
Changes in your bite<

Treating periodontal disease quickly is vital to your oral health. It also determines whether or not you will be eligible for dental implants in the future.

Can you get teeth implants with gum disease?

To be a candidate for dental implants from Dr. Dickson in Plano, TX, you will have:

One or more missing teeth
A strong enough jawbone that can withstand the surgery
No interest in wearing dentures
A speech problem that can be improved with dental implants

For those with periodontal disease or even tooth decay, Dr. Dickson can resolve these issues before any procedure, such as dental implants, can be performed safely. Deep dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, or periodontal surgery can be used to resolve periodontal disease in patients.

Restore your smile with dental implants

At My Dentist in Plano, Dr. Darren K. Dickson offers his patients in Plano, TX a variety of procedures to restore their smiles, such as dental implants. This procedure allows patients to restore their oral health and to replace missing teeth in a natural-looking way. To learn if you’re a candidate for dental implants after a dental exam, call our professional team to schedule an appointment today.