Periodontal disease Implants

Periodontal (or gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It can range from simple gum inflammation to a more serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth.

Periodontitis, which means “inflammation around the tooth, ” is the advanced form of periodontal disease. If you suffer from periodontitis, you’re not alone. It affects half of Americans aged 30 or older—that’s approximately 64.7 million people.*
In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. Bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or eventually fall out. While bacterial infection is behind all forms of periodontal disease, there are a wide variety of factors that can influence the severity of the disease. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, certain medications and genetic susceptibility, to name a few.

Signs and symptoms of periodontitis may include swollen gums, bright red or purplish gums, gums that bleed easily, painful chewing, new spaces developing between your teeth, bad breath and bad taste in your mouth, and loose teeth. See your dental professional if you think you may have periodontitis.
*Source: American Academy of Periodontology

CAN DENTAL IMPLANTS HELP?

If you have missing or extremely loose teeth because of periodontal disease, dental implants could help restore your smile and your oral health.

The American Dental Association has called the development and use of dental implants one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years.* Not only are they customized based on size, color and fit to best replicate your natural teeth, they also work wonders below the surface of the gum.

Research shows that dental implants don’t lead to an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay or root canal problems. Plus, because implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body, they integrate with bone and provide a stimulus that keeps the jawbone from deteriorating.