Dental implants are arguably one of the best ways to prevent gum disease resulting from loss of teeth. However, one needs to have healthy gums for this procedure to be successful and minimize risks. To find your chances of dental implants causing gum disease, you need to understand the relationship between these two. Gum disease is also called periodontitis and is a serious infection of the gums.
This disease comes as a result of bacterial build-up around the gum line. In most cases, this leads to teeth loss of even more chronic illnesses such as a coronary artery, heart attack, and stroke. Dental implants can prevent bone loss increase stability and durability after losing teeth. However, it’s best to note that you can develop gum disease even after a dental implant, with some gum diseases causing the implant to fail.
Most dental implant procedures go without any hitches. However, some factors increase the chances of developing gum disease. These include:
Infection and Poor Healing
Dental Implants, like any other surgical procedure, come with numerous risks. Nevertheless, dental surgeons observe sterile and aseptic techniques to minimize any chances of infection during the procedure. After the procedure, you might experience some side effects, including swelling, mild pain, and discomfort. Any other symptoms may require you to visit your dentist. Infections that present themselves after dental implant procedures are often a result of poor oral hygiene or not observing proper post-surgery instructions. In some cases, infection or poor healing may result from an underlying problem that may have gone unnoticed before the procedure. Nevertheless, poor healing and infections can easily be treated and handled before developing into gum disease, especially when identified on time.
Failure to Observe the Doctor’ Instructions
As stated before, one of the leading causes of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. After getting dental implants, it’s advisable to observe all the instructions from the doctor with regard to oral health. Failure to keep your doctor’s instructions can cause implant failure, infection, and poor healing. If left unattended, these problems could evolve into gum disease.
Post-surgery instructions are often simple, with you being required to keep the site clean and minimize physical activities. In some cases, you need a dietary plan and take your medication as recommended.
Underlying Medical Condition
An underlying medical condition can affect your healing process and provide grounds for the development of gum disease. Conditions such as diabetes and cancer can easily delay the healing process. Smoking, drinking, and medication can also affect healing after an implant, exposing you to various bacteria within the mouth. Before scheduling a dental implant procedure, it’s best to disclose to your surgeon all pre-existing conditions. This way, they can effectively manage the healing process and prevent potential failures.
Micro-movement of the Implant
Dental implants are supposed to remain immobile for weeks after being installed. This way, osseointegration can occur. Any movement before this process is completed could result in the failure of the implant. This process takes eight to twelve weeks for the dental implant to grow into the bone and soft tissue to grow around the implant. Interfering with this process can lead to excruciating pain, forcing you to undergo another procedure to correct the problem. To prevent this problem, it is best to observe your dietary recommendations.
The Real Cause of Gum Disease
As seen above, the real cause of gum disease is poor oral health. To reduce the chances of contracting gum disease, it is advisable to brush your teeth properly and observe other oral hygiene practices. Skipping a few days without brushing your teeth opens a window for bacteria to attack. It’s best to note that dental implants alone cannot cause gum disease. However, dental implants present a risk of peri-implantitis. This disease affects your overall health, providing an opportunity for gum disease and other teeth-related problems to take root. Aside from causing infection and poor recovery, this disease can cause the implant to fail.
Getting implants doesn’t necessarily exempt you from gum disease. It’s advisable to maintain your oral health and schedule regular dental checks. Regular dental visits can help identify and prevent gum disease before it progresses.
