Gum disease can have a devastating effect on a person’s oral health if left untreated, and for anyone considering tooth replacement methods, having gum disease could prove a stumbling block to successful treatment.
For an implant dentist to be able to successfully perform tooth replacement there are a number of factors he or she has to consider. A patient’s oral and general health will be taken into consideration during an examination to determine candidacy for implant treatment.
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and so sufferers may not necessarily be excluded as a candidate for dental implants. In fact, many people who undergo dental implant treatment do so having lost teeth to periodontal problems in the past.
However, for those who experience on-going issues with gum disease, or if gum disease is prevalent during the implant dentist’s initial examination, then this may unfortunately count against the patient.
This is not to say that the patient cannot have dental implant treatment; moreso, that for successful implementation of dental implants, the cause of the gum disease will have to be treated first.
Gum disease is an inflammation or infection of the gum tissue, and often manifests first as bleeding gums during brushing. As the disease progresses, it can cause periodontitis, a condition which attacks the tissues that support the teeth and hold them fast. Left untreated, periodontitis can lead to teeth be coming loose and falling out, and in severe cases can erode and decay the jawbone – an important player in successful dental implant treatment.
For dental implants to be successful, the implant dentist requires to place a small titanium support into the patient’s gum tissue and jaw bone. Over time, the titanium bonds with the jaw bone to provide strength and support to the implant, but this is made more difficult if the quality or quantity of available bone mass in the patient’s jaw is compromised.
For anyone considering dental implants but are worried that gum disease may preclude them from treatment, a consultation with our experienced and dedicated implant dentists, serving East Meadow NY and the surrounding areas, is the first step towards determining suitability as a candidate for treatment.