You’ve been told you have gum disease. Maybe your gums bleed when you brush. Maybe they feel tender or look a little red. And now you’re wondering: wait, can I get a dental implant if I have gum disease?
The short answer is yes, you can still get a dental implant if you have gum disease. But there’s a catch. You need to control the gum disease first. Here’s why that matters and how Dr. Gardner approaches it.
What Gum Disease Actually Means for Implants
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It starts with bacteria building up along the gumline. Left untreated, that bacteria can cause inflammation, gum recession, and eventually bone loss.
Dental implants need healthy bone to fuse with. And they need healthy gums to seal around them. If you place an implant in a mouth with active gum disease, you’re setting it up for failure. The infection can spread to the implant site. The bone might not heal properly. And the implant could loosen or fail altogether.
But gum disease doesn’t mean you can’t have an implant. It just means you need to treat the disease before you place the implant.
Dr. Gardner’s Approach: Treat First, Then Place
This is where Dr. Gardner’s comprehensive approach comes into play. He doesn’t just look at the gap and say, “Let’s put an implant there.” He looks at your whole mouth:
- Your gums
- Your bone.
- Your bite
- Your overall health.
If gum disease is present, the first step is periodontal therapy. That might mean a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. It might mean more targeted treatments to control the infection. It also means working with you on your home care routine so the problem doesn’t come back.
Only once your gums are healthy and stable does Dr. Gardner move forward with implant planning. This approach isn’t just safer. It’s smarter. It gives your implant the best possible chance of long-term success.
What Patients Need to Do
Gum disease doesn’t go away on its own. And it doesn’t stay managed without effort. If you want an implant, you need to commit to good oral hygiene. That means:
- Brushing twice a day.
- Flossing daily.
- Using any tools Dr. Gardner recommends, like a water flosser or special brushes for cleaning around implants.
- Coming in for regular checkups and cleanings so your dentist in Gouverneur, NY, can monitor your gum health.
Some patients worry that having had gum disease means they’re not a good candidate for implants. That’s not true. It just means you need to be more diligent. Many patients also find that getting an implant gives them the motivation they need to finally get their gum health on track.
What About Bone Loss?
Gum disease often leads to bone loss around your natural teeth. And implants need enough bone to hold them in place.
If the bone has thinned out too much, Dr. Gardner may recommend a bone graft before implant placement. This builds up the bone, so your implant has a solid foundation.
Not everyone needs a graft. It depends on how much bone you’ve lost and where the implant needs to go. Dr. Gardner uses digital imaging to measure your bone precisely and plan your treatment accordingly.
Restore Your Smile Today
Having gum disease doesn’t automatically disqualify you from dental implants. But it does mean you need a dentist who takes the time to get your mouth healthy first. Rushing into implant placement without addressing gum disease is a recipe for disappointment.
Dr. Gardner’s approach is simple. Healthy gums first. Implant second. Long-term success for both.
If you’ve been told you need an implant but you’re worried about your gum health, let’s talk. Dr. Gardner will examine your mouth, explain your options, and create a plan that works for your specific situation. Call Dr. Gardner’s Gouverneur office at (315) 203-1772 or request an evaluation online. We’re here to help.