Are Your Gums Strong Enough for Dental Implants?

If your gums hurt every time you chew food on your empty tooth sockets, you may wonder if it'll prevent or keep you from getting dental implants soon. Even if your gums are sore or infected, you can still undergo dental implant treatment in the future. However, a dentist will need to treat the underlying cause of your gum pain prior to placing implants in your jaw. Learn why your gums hurt and how you can still receive dental implants in them below.

How Does Tooth Loss Affect Your Gums?

When you lose teeth, the bone tissue beneath your gums recedes or shrinks. The gum tissue covering your receding bones may also decrease in height and thickness over time. Your gums may no longer have the support or structure they need to stay healthy in your mouth.

The things you chew during the day may aggravate your gums and make them feel sore. Some types of food can also be abrasive enough to scratch or tear the surfaces of your gums. If you don't do something to remedy the issues in your mouth, you may end up with gum disease.

Dental implants can help rebuild the bone in your jaw as well as the gum tissue covering it.

What Happens for You Now?

Before a dentist replaces your teeth with dental implants, they'll need to examine your jaw first. If you have significant bone loss in your jaw, a dentist may need to replenish it before they install implants in it. A dentist can increase the height of your jawbone with bone grafts and other methods.

A dentist will also examine your gums during the visit. If your gums show signs of infection, a dental provider will treat them with antibiotics before they perform your dental implant surgery. After the antibiotics clear up the infection in your gums, a dentist can begin phase one of your dental implant treatment. 

Dental implant treatment occurs in two phases. Phase one is the most difficult stage of the process. A dentist must ensure each implant adheres firmly inside your jawbone and gum tissue. To ensure each implant remains firmly planted in your jaw, a dentist may cover it with a small flap of gum tissue. The flap of tissue keeps germs out of the implant site as it heals. 

Your gums may be slightly sore during the healing phase. However, your gums should feel better after some time has passed since your treatment. A dentist will most likely ask you to consume soft foods you can swallow easily until your implant sites heal. If you experience any issues with your implants or gums, speak to a dentist immediately.

If you need dental implants but struggle with gum pain, reach out to a dentist for assistance today.

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