Receding gums usually occur as a result of long-term or severe gum disease. Gum disease must be treated before dental implants can be placed to ensure your healing after the procedure is successful. If you have receding gums or other signs of gum disease, consult with your implant dentist about your options. In most cases, treatment for the issues with your gums is all that is necessary to make you a good candidate for implants.
Gum Disease and Dental Implants
There are several issues that your implant dentist will want to address before proceeding with an implant procedure. These include:
- Insufficient strength in the jawbone
- The presence of gum disease
- Use of certain medications
In the case of gum disease, an implant procedure can usually proceed after treatment has proven successful. This can include anything from minor gingivitis to severe gum recession. It is necessary to have sufficient gum tissue to support your implants, just like it’s necessary for your natural teeth. Without sufficient support from the gums, your implants, just like your teeth, can become loose and even eventually fall out.
Treatment for Receding Gums
If you have receding gums and want to pursue an implant procedure, consult with your oral surgeon, dentist, or implant dentist. They will evaluate the condition of your gums and recommend an appropriate treatment. This could include gum grafting or, if your gum disease has led to erosion in your jawbone, bone grafts or a sinus lift.
Gum grafting involves removing tissue from another part of your body, usually the roof of your mouth, and using it to shore up the gums that have receded. If you have experienced bone loss in the jaw, your oral surgeon will draft bone tissue, also usually taken from another part of your body, to increase the jawbone mass in the area where your implants will be placed. These oral surgery procedures can help correct problems that could lead your implants to fail. Once your gums or jawbones are ready to receive the implants, you can proceed with your implant dentist.
Considering dental implants? Call our team today to schedule a consultation!