For many people looking for a long-term way to fix missing teeth, dental implants are usually the best choice. However, a question we get all the time at ODL Dental Clinic is, can you have dental implants with gum disease? The quick answer is that while active gum disease is a risk for a new implant, it does not mean you can never have the treatment. Understanding how your gum health affects your dental work is the first step toward getting your smile back.
At ODL Dental Clinic, we believe everyone should feel good about their smile. If you are dealing with gum issues but want a fixed, natural-looking alternative to dentures, this guide explains everything you need to know about getting dental implants with gum disease.
To understand why healthy gums matter, you first need to know how an implant works. A dental implant is a small titanium post that acts like a root for a new tooth. For this post to stay in place, it has to bond with your jawbone. Healthy gums act like a shield around the implant, keeping bacteria away from the bone.
When you ask whether you can have dental implants with gum disease, the main worry is infection. Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, eats away at the bone and tissue that the implant needs to hold onto. If an implant is put into a mouth that still has an infection, it is very likely to fail. At ODL Dental Clinic, we want your new teeth to last a lifetime, so we never start surgery while an infection is active.
If you have gum disease right now, the answer is not yet. You cannot have dental implants put in while the disease is active and untreated. However, once the infection is cleared up and your mouth is healthy again, you can definitely move forward with the procedure.
The process at ODL Dental Clinic usually starts with a healing phase. We work with you to get your mouth from an infected state back to a healthy one. Once your gums are firm, pink, and have stopped bleeding, and we are sure your bone is strong enough, we can start planning your surgery. While you might be asking can you have dental implants with gum disease today, our goal is to make sure you can say yes very soon.
Trying to skip gum disease treatment is a bad idea because it can lead to something called peri-implantitis. This is basically gum disease that happens around an implant. It occurs when bacteria get around the metal post, causing swelling and bone loss. Unlike your real teeth, implants do not have nerves, so you might not even feel the infection until it is a serious problem.
At ODL Dental Clinic, we tell our patients that the question of whether you can have dental implants with gum disease is all about timing. If we put an implant into an unhealthy mouth, the bacteria will just move over to the new post. This makes the post come loose and can lead to the implant falling out completely.
Our team takes a full look at your oral health. We do not just look at the gap where your tooth used to be; we look at your whole mouth. If you are worried about whether you can have dental implants with gum disease, here is how we help.
The first step is usually a thorough deep cleaning. Our team at ODL Dental Clinic will remove the plaque and tartar that have built up under the gum line. This gets rid of the bacteria and lets your gums start to heal.
A side effect of having gum disease for a long time is that your jawbone can shrink. If the bone has become too thin, it might not be able to hold an implant. In these cases, we might suggest a bone graft to build the area back up and create a solid base for the titanium post.
We also help you with your daily cleaning routine. For implants to work, you have to be very good at brushing and flossing. At ODL Dental Clinic, we show you exactly how to use special brushes to keep your gums in great shape.
Once your gums are healthy again, the process is straightforward. It usually happens in a few stages:
Throughout this time, the team at ODL Dental Clinic will keep a close eye on your gums. We want to make sure the answer to can you have dental implants with gum disease stays a positive one by keeping infections away.
Choosing a clinic that knows how to handle gum issues is very important. At ODL Dental Clinic, we have a lot of experience with tricky cases. We understand how to get gums healthy and use the best tools to make sure your treatment goes well. We do not just fix teeth; we help you keep your whole mouth healthy for years to come.
We are always honest with our patients. We will not suggest a treatment unless we are sure it will work for you. When you come to see us to ask if you can have dental implants with gum disease, we will give you a clear plan and a path to a better smile.
Q: Can you have dental implants with gum disease if it is only a mild case?
A: Even mild cases, like gingivitis, need to be fixed first. If your gums are bleeding or red, it means there is an infection that could stop the implant from healing. At ODL Dental Clinic, we clear that up first to give you the best results.
Q: How long do I have to wait to get implants if I have gum disease?
A: It depends on the person. Some people only need a few weeks of cleaning, while others with more serious problems might need a few months. We will give you a proper timeline when you visit ODL Dental Clinic.
Q: What is the success rate for people who used to have gum disease?
A: As long as the disease is under control and you keep your teeth clean, the success rate is very high. It is almost the same as someone who never had gum issues. Regular checkups at ODL Dental Clinic are the key to keeping them that way.
Q: Can gum disease come back after I get implants?
A: Yes, it can. You can still get infections around your new implants. This is why coming to see us at ODL Dental Clinic for regular cleanings is so important for keeping your new teeth.
Do not let past gum problems stop you from getting the smile you want. While the question of whether you can have dental implants with gum disease needs a professional look, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
We have helped many people move past gum disease to get a full, working smile again. By fixing the health of your gums first, we make sure your dental implants are built to last.
If you want to find out if you can get started, or if you need more details on how we handle dental implants with gum disease, just give us a call. We are ready to help you change your smile. Book a chat at ODL Dental Clinic today and let us help you feel confident again.
