Are Dental Implants a Realistic Treatment for Gum Disease?
Gum disease may start out as a minor issue but it can turn into a painful and frustrating problem. There are actually two different types of gum disease. The first is gingivitis, which you can think of as the beginnings of a more serious type of gum disease, called periodontitis. However, either type – gingivitis or periodontitis – can result in side effects that affect your daily life.
One of the most serious side effects of periodontitis is tooth loss. if you’ve gotten to that stage of gum disease and have lost teeth or know that you’re about to, then it may be time to seriously consider dental implants. The good news is that if you’ve looked into this option in the past, you’ll be glad to know that the process has become easier, less painful, and more affordable. Read on to learn more and then call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment for a consultation.
Dental implant basics
The simplest way to explain dental implants is that they’re synthetic teeth roots that your dentist will surgically implant in your jaw. In most cases, the root itself is made from titanium. This is the same material that’s typically used to substitute for bone in knee surgeries and hip surgeries. After the titanium root has been implanted, a replacement tooth is attached to the root. We can either attach it permanently or attach one that’s removeable. That’s up to you and we can go over the reasons you’d want one over the other.
What to do if you need several teeth replaced
Some patients are missing just one tooth, others are missing three or four, or they may be missing all their teeth. If you’re looking to replace numerous teeth then a bridge may be necessary. Essentially, a permanent bridge is a set of replacement teeth. If you have lost all or most of your teeth, then a full bridge or a full set of dentures may be the best option.
If you do get a full bridge or full dentures, there are several ways we can permanently secure them in your mouth by using a few implants. This may or may not be best for you, depending on a variety of factors. The best way to find the right way to move forward is to contact California Dental Group and set up an appointment.
Are you a good candidate for dental implants?
Every case is different and the solution for each case is different too. However, there are a few situations that are often best served by getting dental implants. While gum disease can lead to tooth loss, implants often aren’t the best way to treat those lost teeth. Why? Because in order for implants to be effective, you must have enough bone in your jaw and your gums may be healthy.
If you come to us soon enough, we can treat your gum disease before bone is lost and can get your gums into great shape. If you come to us a little later and implants are no longer an option then we’ll review your other choices. Call us today at (800) 407-0161 to get started.
