Can you get new teeth after periodontitis?

Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, affects nearly half of adults over the age of 30 in the United States. It occurs when bacteria build up under the gums and cause inflammation. As the disease progresses, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria, but also starts to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. Without treatment, periodontitis can cause tooth loss. So can you get new teeth after losing them to periodontitis? Let’s take a closer look.

Table of Contents

What happens in periodontitis?

In periodontitis, the infection and inflammation in the gum pockets causes the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth surface. This allows even more plaque to build up. As the disease advances, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, this can lead to tooth loss if the inflammation and bone loss is severe enough that the tooth becomes loose.

Some key things to know:

Periodontitis can cause gums to recede, exposing the tooth roots.
Infected gum pockets form, allowing more plaque buildup.
Inflammation and bone loss gets worse over time.

Loose teeth may eventually need to be extracted.

So in summary, the infection and inflammation of periodontitis is what ultimately causes tooth loss in severe cases.

What teeth are usually lost to periodontitis?

The teeth most commonly lost to advanced periodontal disease are:

Lower front teeth – The lower front teeth have a single root and less bone supporting them, putting them at higher risk.
Premolars and molars – The back teeth have more surfaces for plaque to stick to, so they tend to be more susceptible to decay.
Teeth with existing dental work – Crowns, bridges, braces, and implants can trap plaque and make periodontitis worse around those teeth.

Upper front teeth are least affected since they have more bone supporting them. But any tooth can potentially be lost if the gum destruction and bone loss is severe enough.

Can you get new teeth to replace those lost to gum disease?

The good news is that it is almost always possible to replace teeth lost to periodontal disease with artificial substitutes that look and function similarly to natural teeth. The main options are:

Dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jawbone. An implant-supported crown is then attached to the implant. The result looks and feels just like a real tooth. Dental implants have a high success rate and are the closest thing to replacing a natural tooth. However, sufficient healthy bone must remain in the jaw to support the implant.

Bridges

A dental bridge spans the space left by a missing tooth and is anchored to the surrounding teeth. Bridges can replace single or multiple missing teeth in a row. However, the adjacent teeth must be healthy to support the bridge.

Partial or full dentures

Removable dentures are prosthetic teeth mounted in a gum-colored plastic base. Partial dentures can replace single or multiple missing teeth. Full dentures are used when all teeth are missing. Dentures rely on the underlying gums and bone for support, so they may not be ideal if significant bone loss has occurred.

Bone/tissue grafting

For patients with advanced bone loss, bone or tissue grafting can help regenerate bone at the implant site prior to placement. This helps ensure the implant is well-supported and successful.

Can dental implants be placed immediately after tooth extraction?

It is sometimes possible to place dental implants immediately after tooth extraction, in a procedure known as immediate implant placement. The main advantages are:

Reduces treatment time – No need to wait for complete healing between extractions and implant placement
Preserves bone – An implant helps prevent bone loss that normally occurs after losing a tooth

More predictable results – Placing an implant immediately into the fresh extraction socket gives the best positioning

However, there are some important caveats to consider:

Only possible if enough healthy bone remains around the extraction site

Gum tissue flap surgery may be required to see the bone clearly and place the implant properly
Higher risk of implant failure compared to placing later (5-10% immediate failure rate vs 1-2% for delayed)

For these reasons, immediate implant placement may not be recommended for all patients, such as those with severe periodontal disease and bone loss. But it can be a good option for some individuals and reduce treatment time.

What is the dental implant procedure like?

The steps involved in getting a dental implant to replace a tooth lost to gum disease include:

Extracting the damaged tooth – If the tooth can’t be saved via root canal, grafting, etc., it will need to be extracted.
Grafting bone (if needed) – Bone grafting can help regenerate lost bone.

Placing the implant – A titanium implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone in the empty tooth socket.
Waiting 3-6 months for osteointegration – The implant fuses to the jawbone during this healing period.
Placing an abutment – The abutment connects the implanted titanium post to the visible crown.

Creating and placing the crown – A custom crown is modeled and placed on the abutment to complete the restoration.

The entire process may take 6-12 months with proper healing time factored in. Proper oral care is vital during recovery to prevent infection and support healing.

What is the cost of getting implant teeth to replace those lost to gum disease?

The average cost per tooth for a dental implant in the U.S. ranges from $3,000-$4,500. This can add up quickly if multiple teeth need to be replaced. Some key factors affecting the total cost include:

Number of teeth being replaced – Each implant will cost the base rate of $3,000-$4,500.
Need for other procedures – Additional procedures like bone grafts, grafting membranes, or gum grafts will add to the total cost.
Type of implant crown – More expensive crown materials like porcelain can increase the price.

Location and condition of the jawbone – Complicated cases may cost more.
Geographic location – Prices tend to be higher in metro areas and large cities.

Dental insurance often only covers a portion of implant costs, up to an annual maximum. But many dentists offer payment plans to break the total cost into more affordable monthly payments.

How long do dental implants last?

With proper care and regular dental checkups, dental implants can last for many years. The latest research shows:

Sucess rates remain high over long periods – Implants have 5-year success rates of 92-97% and 10-year rates of 80-90%.
Lasts decades with good care – Studies following implants for 25+ years show 60-85% survive over 20+ years.

Main reason for failure is gum disease – Emphasizes the importance of ongoing hygiene and professional cleanings.

Factors that shorten dental implant lifespan include:

Poor oral hygiene leading to peri-implantitis (gum infection around an implant)

Smoking or uncontrolled diabetes impairing healing
Missing regular dental visits for cleaning and checkup

With diligent oral care and monitoring, there’s a good chance your implants could last 30 years or longer!

Conclusion

Losing teeth to advanced gum disease used to mean living with gaps in your smile or uncomfortable dentures. But today dental implants offer an excellent permanent solution for replacing teeth lost to periodontitis. Though expensive initially, implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth while lasting many years with proper care. Thanks to modern implant dentistry, you can regain your confident smile after periodontal tooth loss.