If you have lost teeth or anticipate the need for a tooth extraction, then you likely qualify for dental implant placement. Dental implants are the standard of care for tooth replacement, promoting long-term, natural-looking results. Several factors must be considered when determining your eligibility for safe and successful dental implant placement. One of the most important is the state of your gums. Simply put, gum health is tied directly to the long-term health of your dental implants.
Why You Need Healthy Gums for Healthy Implants
Your dental implants must be firmly anchored to your jawbone to provide the stability you need for biting and chewing. A healthy volume of bone allows the implants and the jaw to fuse, ensuring implant strength and longevity. While specialized implant types, such as zygomatic implants, can work with lower bone density, in some cases, the loss of bone can cause implants to fail.
Gum disease is the single most common cause of jawbone degradation. When left untreated, gum disease can cause surrounding bone to atrophy. When gum disease is localized near the site of a dental implant, the condition is called peri-implantitis. Over time, this condition can directly contribute to implant failure.
In short, keeping your gums healthy and free of gum disease is the best way to ensure your dental implants last as long as possible.
Prepare for Long-Term Dental Implant Success
You can promote long-term implant success by meeting with a board-certified periodontist like Dr. Clagett and incorporating the right oral health regimen. Contact our practice for a consultation to learn more about getting dental implants in Louisville, KY. Reach out to the team at Derby City Dental Specialists at your convenience.
