| ✅ Reviewed by Dr. Tom McCawley | 🕒 Reading time: three minutes |
Healthy gums are an important part of successful dental implant treatment. If you have gum disease or a history of periodontal disease, you may still be a candidate for dental implants, but your gums will need to be evaluated first.
Can You Get Dental Implants if You Have Gum Disease?
Yes, but active gum disease must be treated before dental implants are placed. Eliminating the infection creates a healthier environment for healing and supports the long-term success of the implant.
Following periodontal treatment, a comprehensive evaluation is performed to determine whether dental implants are an appropriate treatment option. Gum health, bone levels, oral hygiene, medical history, and other risk factors are all considered during treatment planning.
How Gum Disease Affects Dental Implant Success
Dental implants depend on healthy gum tissue and adequate jawbone support for long-term success. Untreated gum disease can compromise both, making it more difficult for an implant to heal properly and remain stable over time.
Periodontal disease may cause:
- Inflamed or bleeding gums
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Bone loss around the teeth
- Bacterial infection below the gumline
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
- Delayed healing and infection after dental procedures
When these conditions are present, periodontal treatment is needed before implant placement. Treating gum disease before implant placement helps create a healthier foundation for healing and long-term implant stability.
Can Dental Implants Get Gum Disease?
Dental implants develop gum disease in a similar way natural teeth do. Bacteria and inflammation can damage the gum and bone around an implant, leading to conditions known as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Once infected, this often progresses quicker than around natural teeth.
Signs of peri-implant disease may include bleeding around the implant, red or swollen gums, gum recession, persistent bad breath or a bad taste, drainage from the gums, discomfort when chewing, or a loose implant or restoration.
Prompt treatment can help stop the infection before additional bone loss occurs and may improve the chances of preserving the implant.
Preparing for Dental Implant Treatment
Before dental implants are placed, a comprehensive periodontal evaluation is performed to assess the health of the gums and supporting bone and determine whether any treatment is needed first.
The evaluation may include:
- A comprehensive gum examination
- Measurement of periodontal pocket depths
- Digital X-rays or 3D CBCT imaging
- Evaluation of bone levels and available bone support
- Assessment of gum recession
- Review of medical conditions and medications
- Assessment of smoking, vaping, and other risk factors
If gum disease is present, it is treated before implant placement to prevent infection of the new implant. When periodontal disease has caused significant bone or gum tissue loss, bone grafting or soft tissue grafting may also be recommended to help create a stable foundation for long-term implant success.
Specialized Periodontal Care for Dental Implant Patients
At McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics & Implants, we take a microbiological approach to treating periodontal disease. Advanced diagnostic techniques help identify the bacteria and other microorganisms responsible for the infection, allowing us to tailor treatment to each patient’s condition.
As pioneers in laser periodontal therapy, we combine decades of clinical experience with advanced technology to treat periodontal disease while preserving healthy tissue. Our minimally invasive laser techniques are designed to eliminate infection, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the regeneration of bone and other supporting tissues damaged by periodontal disease.
This comprehensive approach helps create the healthy gum and bone support needed for predictable, long-term dental implant success.
Gum Disease Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you have gum disease, missing teeth, or are considering dental implants, a comprehensive periodontal evaluation can help determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Whether you need periodontal therapy, regenerative treatment, or dental implants, we will create a personalized plan focused on restoring the health of your gums and supporting bone.
To schedule an appointment at our periodontal clinic in Ft. Lauderdale, call (954) 807-4829 or visit 800 East Broward Blvd #706 Fort Lauderdale, FL.
FAQ
Yes. Dental implants can develop gum disease in a similar way natural teeth do, the gum and bone around them can become infected causing bone loss. Regular periodontal maintenance and good oral hygiene help reduce the risk of peri-implant disease.
Yes. Many patients who have lost teeth due to periodontal disease can still receive dental implants after the infection has been treated and the gums and supporting bone are healthy enough to support an implant.
Yes. Patients with a history of gum disease often benefit from periodontal maintenance visits rather than routine dental cleanings. These appointments help keep the gums and supporting bone healthy while allowing any signs of inflammation or peri-implant disease to be identified and treated early.
