The main requirement for getting dental implants in West Bend is having perfect oral health. Now, if you are someone who is struggling with gum disease, you may think that implants aren't for you.
Is this right?
Keep reading to learn more.
Dental implants are restorative treatments where a titanium post is inserted into the jaw to act as the root of a tooth. This metal post has to fuse with the bone and soft tissue in a process called osseointegration that can last as long as six months. Once this process is completed and the implant is securely anchored in your mouth, the dentist will top it off with a crown.
Having healthy bones and gums is paramount for the success of the implant. Unfortunately, if you have gum disease, then you can't get an implant until you've rebuilt the jawbone and gum tissue. The bone has to be thick and wide enough to support the implant and you also need to have enough gum tissue to surround it and hold it in place.
In the case of gum disease, the infection affects the gum tissues and eventually, the bone that surrounds the teeth. It starts as gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, where the gums get swollen and bleed easily. But, if left untreated, the infection can get under the gum line and affect the bone supporting the tooth, eventually leading to tooth loss.
If you're only dealing with the first stage of gum disease, you may be able to get an implant since it's treatable and reversible. Your dentist will clean the plaque buildup, but you will also have to follow a strict at-home oral hygiene routine to reverse this condition.
If the disease has advanced and affected both your gum tissue and bone, you will probably need a bone or soft tissue graft to rebuild your jawbone. Once you get enough gum and bone tissue, you can get an implant too.
If you've been told that you can't get a dental implant because you have gum disease, you've only been told part of the story. Yes, in theory, that is correct, but with modern dentistry, you can restore your oral health and get enough bone and gum mass to become a good candidate for dental implants.
At Oakbrook Dental, we will find the right solution for your dental problems and make sure you will enjoy long-lasting oral health.
If you are looking for implant dentistry in West Bend, get in touch with our team and schedule an initial implant consultation with us.
You can request your appointment online or you can call us at (262) 335-0822 from Monday to Friday.
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