Can I have dental implants even though I’m suffering from gingivitis?

A. Hi Thanks for your question. If you have gingivitis and this has caused bone loss with in turn has caused teeth to become loose and require extraction then immediate dental implants may not be the best option. The bone loss under the gums is caused by periodontal disease which as well as causing problems for your teeth the bacteria is also medically linked to other conditions such as increased risk of heart diesase, stroke. You really need to have this infection treated and this is normally done as a series of intensive appointments with a dental hygienist along with ensuring your homecare is excellent to ensure that the levels of bacteria are low. Once this gum disease is under control and treated then you may be suitable for dental implants, but an assessment would need to be carried out to see how much bone is available. It\’s important to remember that the dental implants need to be cared for in a similar way to your natural teeth to ensure their long term success. Regards George Glover BDS MSc