Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?
In recent years, implant dentistry has made great strides in replacing lost teeth. Today, dental implants are successfully used to replace teeth throughout the United States. These biocompatible and long-lasting replacement teeth support oral structures and restore oral function. While implants provide many benefits to patients, some health conditions such as periodontal (gum) disease can reduce the likelihood of an implant’s success. Our periodontist offers insight.
How Gum Disease Affects Dental Implants
Gum disease is especially problematic for implant dentistry because aggressive forms of periodontal disease will affect soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Advanced gum disease erodes bone and gums and implants require the support of both hard and soft structures to support a prosthetic crown, bridge, or denture. If a patient has lost bone mass or gingival tissue to periodontal disease, they will likely need advanced periodontal therapy to manage the infection. Patients may also require grafting procedures to reconstruct lost tissue in the mouth. For instance, a gum graft is a procedure where soft oral tissue is taken from the inside of the cheek or the roof of the mouth and surgically placed over areas where gum recession is severe. It is best for patients to be free of gingival infection and have good oral health before receiving implants to increase the likelihood of their success.
While poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease, health conditions and medications will also inflame and irritate the gums. Diabetes commonly coincides with periodontal disease because patients’ saliva production is diminished thus causing dry mouth. In addition to conditions like diabetes, allergy medication and antidepressants affect gum health as well. A patient who desires to receive dental implants with medical conditions or medications that contribute to gum disease may require periodontal treatment such as deep prophylaxis to improve gum health prior to the implantation process.
Improving Oral Health with Periodontal Treatment
Seeing a specialist to improve oral health is a wise choice before undergoing surgery for dental implants. Using the latest technology and innovative techniques, our periodontist can help patients achieve healthier gums to support their new teeth.
Call our office today at 214-949-1836 to schedule a consultation with our caring team.
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