Often the result of infection or inflammation of the gums and jawbone, periodontal disease is one of the biggest threats to dental health and is mainly seen in adults. While in its early stages, the condition is called gingivitis and sufferers may experience swollen, red and bleeding gums. If the disease is more serious, it is referred to as periodontitis, which may result in receding gums, bone loss, and loose or lost teeth.
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth that infects the tissue surrounding the teeth. When bacteria remains on the teeth for long enough, it forms a film referred to as plaque. This eventually hardens, turning into tartar (also called calculus). Tartar build-up can spread below the gumline, making the teeth much harder to clean properly. At this stage, only a dental health professional can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease from progressing.
So, how long can you keep your teeth with periodontal disease?
Gingivitis can start small, plus, plaque is hard to see, so the early stages of this disease can often be overlooked. However, as uncomfortable symptoms develop, patients may experience widening pockets between the teeth and gums, and the loss of bone underneath.
If your symptoms have left you wondering, will I lose my teeth if I have periodontal disease? The answer depends on the stage of the disease.
Every patient is different, however you should visit a dentist if you are experiencing any symptoms, as periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.
If caught and treated early, periodontal disease can often be managed, and patients can keep their natural teeth for many years. However, if the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, tooth loss may be inevitable.
How can I prevent periodontal disease and maintain oral health?
To help prevent periodontal disease, it is important to maintain good oral health. If you are wondering, will I lose my teeth if I have periodontal disease? The answer doesn’t have to be yes.
It is important to brush and floss every day to remove the bacteria that causes gum disease from building up. You should also quit smoking and/or vaping and see a dentist every year for a check-up—or more often if you have any symptoms.
It is important to seek dental treatment immediately if you are experiencing regular bad breath, bleeding gums or loose teeth. The earlier periodontal disease is caught, the easier it can be to treat.
Can I get implants with periodontal disease and what are the requirements?
Periodontal disease can not only impact your oral health, but also your overall wellbeing. Many sufferers want to restore their oral health, but don’t know how to without damaging their teeth further.
So, can I get implants with periodontal disease?
Single implants
If you have periodontal disease, it is still possible to receive single implants. However, getting treatment for it is crucial before getting implants to ensure the surgery is successful. Getting treatment first is necessary as gum disease can spread and degenerate the bone the implant is screwed into, causing more damage and potentially putting your new implants at risk of falling out.
All On 4
In the case of the All On 4 treatment, the periodontal disease is completely eliminated through the process of teeth extraction. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that accumulates in the periodontal ligament between a tooth and its socket. Without the tooth, there is no presence of periodontal disease. Extraction for All On 4 is only considered when the teeth are severely damaged and considered ‘too far gone’.
Peri-implantitis
It is also important to note that although periodontal disease is eliminated with the removal of teeth, there is also a risk of developing ‘peri-implantitis’, a condition which occurs in the tissue surrounding implants characterised by inflammation in the peri-implant connective tissue, and the progressive loss of supporting bone.
Peri-implantitis occurs when the implants which replace the teeth are neglected. This risk applies to both individuals who previously had periodontal disease, and those who did not have it prior, but fail to care for their implants. This is why proper aftercare and maintaining good ongoing oral hygiene is crucial for any patient receiving single implants or All On 4 implants.
What are the treatments of periodontal disease?
Once your dentist has diagnosed you with periodontal disease, the initial goal will be to thoroughly clean the pockets around your teeth to prevent further damage to your gums and jawbone.
If your condition isn’t advanced, treatment may involve less invasive procedures including:
- Scaling—this process removes tartar and bacteria from the surface of your teeth.
- Root planing—by smoothing the root surfaces, this helps to prevent further build-up of tartar and bacteria. This also helps your gums attach to your teeth again.
- Antibiotics—topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. This can include using antibiotic mouth rinses, antibiotic gel, or oral antibiotics.
If you have advanced periodontal disease, other treatment options may be required, such as:
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- Flap surgery—also known as pocket reduction surgery.
- Soft tissue grafts—you may need some of the damaged gum tissue reinforced with tissue taken from the roof of your mouth or a donor. This helps reduce further tissue loss, covering exposed roots and restoring the appearance of your teeth.
- Bone grafting—a dental bone graft helps restore volume and density to areas of your jaw where bone loss has occurred, enhancing its structure and strength.’
- Guided tissue regeneration—answering the question, can bone regenerate after periodontal disease, a special material is placed between the teeth to prevent tissue gum and promote bone regeneration instead.
- Tissue-stimulating proteins—applying a special gel containing the proteins found in tooth enamel can stimulate the growth of healthy tissue and bone.
What is the process for getting implants and what should I expect?
Implants act as an effective replacement for natural teeth. Surgically secured to the jawbone, these tooth roots are designed to replace the whole structure of terminal or missing teeth.
At Advanced Dental Artistry, our dental implants are custom-made to suit your mouth and create a uniform smile. Using only the highest-quality materials and technology, our cosmetic dentists examine your face and jawbone structure to craft the ideal implant, unique to you. The result is teeth that look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
After a thorough and honest consultation with one of our friendly and experienced cosmetic dentists, you will have a clear understanding of the procedure, cost, and aftercare.
If you decide to go ahead, the procedure itself is done with local anaesthesia and will be discussed in depth during a consultation. During healing, the implant will gradually become attached to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration.
It will take some time to recover fully from the procedure, however, once the healing process is complete, you will be able to eat as usual and should not be experiencing any more discomfort.
While recovery may take time, it is well worth the wait. At Advanced Dental Artistry, the teeth we craft not only look great, but also keep the structure of your jawbone from decreasing further, instead helping to stimulate bone growth.
How can Advanced Dental Artistry help?
At Advanced Dental Artistry, our team of experienced cosmetic dentists have a passion for oral health and crafting smiles that our patients love. If you have experienced loose teeth or tooth loss from periodontal disease symptoms, we can help restore your smile with our high-quality dental implants.
We also offer unique full mouth reconstruction and All-On-4 implant services, allowing us to cater to a greater range of conditions and individuals. If you’d like to hear more about how our team can help restore your oral health and smile, book a consultation today at our cosmetic dentistry Perth clinic.