Dental implants do a great job of filling in the gaps from missing teeth—they look natural and let you chew and talk like normal. But if you’ve got gum disease, you’re probably asking yourself if implants are even on the table. Good news: you can still get dental implants, even with gum disease. But there are a few things you’ll need to sort out first.
Gum disease (that’s periodontal disease) messes with your gums and the bone underneath. Both are pretty important if you wish for your new teeth to stay put. Gum disease starts as gingivitis—just some swollen, red gums. If you ignore it, it can turn into periodontitis, which becomes severe and can break down your jawbone. And that’s a problem if you’re hoping to anchor an implant in there.
For implants to work, you need a solid, healthy jawbone. If gum disease has already caused bone loss, the implant won’t be able to “perform” the way it should. Your dentist will need to treat the gum disease first—no shortcuts here.
What happens if you want implants but have gum disease?
- Step one: clear up the infection. This usually means a deep cleaning, maybe some root planing, and, if things are bad enough, gum surgery. Once your gums are healthy, your dentist might suggest a bone graft to rebuild any bone you’ve lost.
You have to be patient—getting rid of gum disease and fixing your jawbone takes time. Your dentist will make sure every bit of infection is gone before moving forward.
Now, if you’re still in the early stages, just dealing with gingivitis, things are a little easier. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning and better brushing and flossing at home. Once your gums are back in shape, your dentist will check if your bone is strong enough for dental implants. If not, you might still need a bone graft.
Bone grafting sounds intense, but it’s just rebuilding the jawbone with either your own bone or donor material. It takes a few months to heal, and your dentist will keep a close eye on you the whole way. Once everything looks good, you’re on to the next step—getting the implants.
Even with gum disease in the picture, dental implants aren’t out of reach. Your dentist can develop a plan that fits your situation. Just make sure you’re following their advice, maintaining your oral hygiene, and showing up for regular checkups. Sometimes, they’ll use special implant systems that work better for people with weaker bone, which can make a big difference.
Bottom Line
You need a dentist who knows what they’re doing, especially when it comes to tricky cases like this. At Newton Dental Studio, our team has the experience and know-how to help you get your smile back—even if gum disease has been giving you trouble. Give us a call and see what your options are.
