Neglecting to get the proper treatment before your implant procedure may cause further infection, resulting in an implant failure.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection in the gums that is caused by bacteria found in dental plaque. The disease is not aggressive in its beginning stages but instead grows discretely, affecting the surrounding tissues protecting your teeth. If not treated effectively, gum disease can cause tooth loss.
Signs that periodontal disease has infected your gums include:
- Swollen, red, and tender gums
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Bleeding
How Are Dental Implants Affected?
The reason why gum disease must be treated before implant placement is to prevent a faulty implant. Your dentist must be sure that your gums, along with your jaw, are strong and healthy enough for placement. If your gums are weak from disease when an implant is placed it’ll make the healing process slower or prevent it from healing altogether.
Gum disease will make your jawbone reject the titanium post inserted in the first step of treatment and eventually result in a loose implant left vulnerable to further infection.
Although prosthetic dental implants aren’t necessarily susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, the surrounding bone supporting the implant can be affected. This, unfortunately, is a consequence of bad dental hygiene practices that can lead to infections. Therefore, it’s very important to have a healthy mouth before pursuing dental implants.
Contact
If you have further questions about dental implants and gum disease, call Dr. Barksdale in Baton Rouge, LA. Our dedicated dentist and staff are willing to help you get the information you need. Here at Barksdale Family Dentistry, our priority is your health. Contact us today for an appointment or consultation!
