Can Dental Implants Cause Gum Disease?

Gum health is incredibly important for getting dental implants and also for maintaining them for life. One of the top reasons a dental implant will fail is from gum disease. With this said, you might wonder if dental implants cause gum disease. At Kuzma Advanced Dentistry in Wilmington, NC, we want to help our patients understand what causes gum disease and what gum disease means for dental implants if it does occur.

To answer your question: No, dental implants do not cause gum disease. The cause of gum disease is actually poor oral hygiene. For instance, if you don’t brush and floss even after you get dental implants, bacteria can build up along your gum line and cause gum disease. You must continue to visit the dentist regularly after getting dental implants to keep your oral hygiene in tip-top shape. You should also continue practicing regular brushing and flossing habits.

The disease that a dental implant can cause is called perio-implantitis. Perio-implantitis is an infection that causes inflammation in the gums and bone surrounding a dental implant. The inflammation causes premature disintegration which can cause the implants to become loose and fall out. Although peri-implantitis has similar symptoms as gum disease, it’s important to not confuse two.

Unlike gum disease, peri-implantitis can’t resolve itself with just good oral hygiene and simple dental procedures. So what causes peri-implantitis? Although nobody is safe from getting peri-implantitis, smoking, having gum disease or diabetes can increase your risk. If you notice bone loss around your new implant, bleeding gums, pus, pain, redness, or implant is moving, please contact us as soon as possible. We will need to treat your peri-implantitis to save your dental implant from falling out.

If you have gum disease and you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you will need to treat your gum disease first. Having healthy gums and sufficient bone in your jaw is essential for healthy dental implants. We may need to treat your gum disease and provide you with a bone graft to make you eligible for dental implants first. Our implant dentists in Wilmington, NC can help you bring your mouth back to health so you can get the dental implants.

Our dentists are ready to help you replace your missing teeth with the best tooth replacement on the market. You don’t have to worry about dental implants causing gum disease or developing peri-implantitis. We will provide you with all information you need to keep your gums and mouth healthy following your dental implants procedure. Find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants today by scheduling a consultation. (910) 392-6060 or email Kuzma Advanced Dentistry.