Most patients will undergo some pre-work before the implant surgery. Some patients may have a tooth extracted, some may need to have a bone graft to increase the amount of bone, and some patients may need to gain control of active periodontitis.

Periodontitis, also known as gum disease or gingivitis, is a bacterial infection of the gingival tissues or gum tissues. Gum disease is a commonly seen issue in adults, particularly those who have lost teeth. We do not want an active infection at the implantation site because it can decrease the rate of healing, and healing is key to integrating the implant into the bone.

There are steps that we can take to assist the patient in recovering from an active infection. The first step is to remove the source of infection.

Prophylaxis, also known as dental cleaning, is an important dental treatment. Done by a professional, it can halt the progression of periodontal, or gum disease and gingivitis, along with proper home hygiene. Gum disease is a result of plaque and tartar that has been left on and in between your teeth. Plaque is a blend of food and saliva, making it a prime environment for bacteria to thrive.

For some patients, a simple dental cleaning can remove the source, and the patient will have an instant restoration of their health. In other cases, our hygienist will need to perform a deeper cleaning.

A deep cleaning goes under the gum line, where bacteria have settled, and infection is raging. Our hygienist will use a specialized tool known as an ultrasonic scaler; this will remove bacteria by blasting a directed stream of water.

The hygienist will then use a hand scaler to ensure that all plaque was removed. Once the gum pockets are clean, we will then smooth the roots through a process known as root planing. This will make it more difficult for bacteria to settle and spark a healing response from your gums.