Replace 10-Year Old Implants?
I have two implants, located on either side of my two front teeth, that are 10 years old and I’m curious when or if I will need to replace them. I have some gum recession around both of them now, although one implant had gum recession almost immediately after the procedure was complete and continued to recede even after a gum graft. Aside from the receding gums, my implants appear to be healthy and secure but I am worried about bone loss due to the gum loss. I am wondering if another gum graft would help slow down any pending bone loss or if complete replacement of the implants is the only course of action.
1 Comments on Replace 10-Year Old Implants?
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Carlos Boudet, DDS DICOI
1/31/2013
The gum recession that you have experienced is due to bone loss around the implant.
Sometimes implants are placed in very narrow bone and the implant itself cuts of the blood supply to the outer cortical bone, causing the bone to dissappear. The gums follow the level of the dissappearing bone and you get recession.
A gum graft will not help the recession if you are loosing bone.
I suggest that you consult with an experienced implant surgeon that can examine you and get the necessary information to make a recommendation about the treatment that is best for you
Good luck!
