Dental implants and gum recession aren’t a good combination. The ideal candidates for dental implants have healthy gums and sufficient bone density. Gum recession and bone resorption increase the risk of a dental implant failure. Gum recession is common among people with gum disease. However, even those without gum disease can still experience some gum recession due to excessive brushing, grinding or clenching their teeth or genetics.
Before you get dental implants, your dentist examines your mouth to see if you have any symptoms of gum disease, including gum recession. When you have gum recession, you will have to consider whether your dental implant will function. Talk to your dentist about dental implants and gum recession if you have concerns about your gum health.
Causes of Gum Recession
There are several causes of gum recession that could jeopardise your dental implants.
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Gum Disease
This is the primary cause of the gum recession. This condition causes an infection of the gum tissue from oral bacteria present in the mouth. Advanced gum disease can also cause gum recession and more serious dental problems.
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Tobacco Products
The sticky residue left on the teeth of tobacco users can make them prone to gum disease and gum recession as it is difficult to remove. Tobacco use has been linked to gum disease and gum recession. Try to kick the habit for good, to keep your teeth clean and stay healthy.
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Teeth Grinding or Bruxism
Grinding your teeth or bruxism exerts a lot of pressure on your gums, teeth, and jaw joint. Eventually, gum recession can develop if you don’t do anything about the condition, such as using a nightguard.
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Poor Oral Habits
It is more harmful than helpful to brush and floss so vigorously that your gums bleed. Excessive force when brushing can cause gum recession as well as other damage to the gum tissue.
On the other hand, when plaque isn’t cleaned, flossed, and rinsed with antibacterial mouthwash properly, it can turn into tartar, a hard substance formed between your teeth. If left untreated, it can cause gum recession. It’s necessary to find a healthy balance of diligence and gentleness in your oral care routine.
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Genetics
Many people still have gum disease despite brushing and flossing their teeth meticulously. Their genes might be responsible for the problem. Just like the rest of the body, the gums have specific characteristics that are inherited. A family history of gum recession increases your risk.
Dental Implants and Gum Recession: The Effects
Dental implants function similarly to natural tooth roots and are surgically inserted into the jawbone and gum tissue. When there is not enough gum tissue, there’s a risk of the implant failing. A person with extreme gum recession or bone loss may not be a good candidate for dental implants for this reason.
Treating Gum Recession Before a Dental Implant Procedure
The dentist can assess the cause of your gum recession and let you know how to address it before proceeding with an implant. If your gum recession is mild, it might be treatable, meaning there’s still a chance of dental implants working for you. Various treatments can be used to treat gum disease before you get dental implants, like flap surgery and soft tissue grafts.
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Deep Cleaning
Plaque can grow along the gum line and become too hard for toothbrushes to remove. The plaque irritates the sensitive tissues in the mouth, causing inflammation. You can only remove plaque with a deep-cleaning procedure at your dentist. Scaling and polishing the teeth is performed with an ultrasonic scaler, followed by a mouthwash for disinfection.
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Root Planing
A dentist who performs a scale and clean can recommend root planing to treat gum disease if it is advanced. A root planing smoothes the surfaces beneath the gum line and removes plaque and tartar. It also eliminates pockets where bacteria can accumulate.
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Gum Graft
An advanced recession may necessitate gum grafting. In cases of severe gum disease, a soft tissue graft may be needed to restore your gums enough to accommodate a dental implant and enhance the implant’s cosmetic appearance.
Usually, gum graft tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth, but it may also come from a donor tissue bank. This healthy tissue surrounds the tooth root and supports new tissue by providing a growth matrix.
In patients with receding gums who need a dental implant, gum grafts can be an effective and necessary treatment. Gum grafts protect bone mass and prevent gum recession. A successful graft can reduce the risk of implant failure and problems associated with unsupported dental implants. Following gum graft surgery, a dental implant procedure can usually be scheduled three weeks later.
How a Dental Implant Procedure Works After Gum Disease Treatment?
A dental implant procedure is generally conducted under local anaesthesia. We provide inhalation sedation for patients with dental anxiety, where nitrous oxide or IV sedation can help you relax during the procedure.
A minor incision in the freshly formed gum tissue will show the jawbone underneath. After drilling a hole in the bone, a dental implant, shaped like a tiny screw, is placed inside. The surgical site is sutured and packed with gauze to aid blood clot formation. It then takes six to twelve weeks for the implant to fuse to your jaw bone. After this time, you’ll return to the dentist to have your abutment and crown placed. At No Gaps Dental, we offer a same-day placement with CEREC dental crowns.
After you heal from your dental implant procedure, your dentist will advise on taking care of your oral hygiene and checking in on the progress of your dental implant and gum line.
How to Prevent Gum Recession After Dental Implant Procedure?
You can still experience gum recession after dental implants, even if the gums seem healthy. The gum recession can cause problems with dental implants and result in a variety of other health issues.
Follow all oral hygiene and treatment guidelines in addition to brushing and flossing regularly once you receive your dental implants. If you don’t take care of your teeth, gum disease and receding gums may cause your dental implants to fail. You can ensure that your smile lasts for years by using preventative measures, like practising good oral hygiene.
No Gaps Dental Can Restore Your Teeth and Gums
You are not ineligible for dental implants if gum recession is something you’re struggling with. But before you can have dental implants, you must first treat gum recession and gum disease to ensure that your gums and mouth are in good health.
Contact No Gaps Dental at (02) 8806 0227, and our dental professionals can help you learn more about dental implants and the right treatment options for gum recession and gum disease.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
