Do Gums Grow Around Dental Implants or Crowns?

Dental implants are one of the ways to replace a missing or damaged tooth. They are designed to fit in with the rest of your teeth, giving your teeth a natural look and feel.

It involves fixing an artificial tooth to a metal post and then screwing it into the patient’s jaw. The gums then support the new tooth in the same way they support other natural teeth.

While the implants need a natural look and feel, it’s equally important that the gums supporting the dental implants and teeth are healthy and can support the new change.

You may be wondering if gums grow around dental implants and what the whole process is about. If that’s the case, read on to find the answer.

Importance of Healthy Gums

The mouth, like the intestine, houses billions of bacteria, and these bacteria battle for space within the mouth. When there’s a distortion in the balance of these species of bacteria, it leaves room for pathogens which in turn causes periodontal disease.

This periodontal disease may increase the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Therefore, having healthy gum is of utmost importance to avoid gum disease and for various other reasons.

Having a healthy gum can reduce the risk of bad breath. Good dental hygiene such as flossing, brushing, or swishing with a fluoride mouthwash or an antiseptic rinse will help support your teeth and gums.

On the other hand, the buildup of plaques between the teeth can affect the gums, allowing for the growth and proliferation of bacteria, which can lead to bad breath.

If you have healthy gum, it will look pink and firm. Some signs of unhealthy gums include swelling and redness, gum bleeding when your brush or floss, gums appear to pull away from the teeth, and gum having a darker shade of red.

Activities such as brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day promote healthy gums. Also, swishing with a mouthwash prevents the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the gums and teeth.

According to findings, healthy gums prevent the onset of periodontal disease, which may lead to oral cancer.

Furthermore, healthy gums keep your teeth (including dental implants and crowns) in place. It helps to boost your memory and generally keeps your whole body healthy.

Why Dental Implants?

You may need a dental implant if you have a missing or damaged tooth. Dental implants are one of the most efficient, effective, natural, and long-lasting options.
At the same time, there are many teeth replacement options, such as dental crowns, dental veneers, bridges, and dentures.

If you have a loose, damaged, sore, broken, or missing tooth, it’s best to visit a dentist to prevent the problem from becoming worse than it already is, and one of the solutions often suggested is dental implants.

Dental implants improve a person’s life by replacing missing or damaged teeth, thus restoring your confidence and self-esteem. It also increases one’s ability to chew and eat.

Besides, dental implant operations have a high success rate; therefore, it’s relatively safe, and there’s nothing to be afraid of.

To get a dental implant, you must have a jaw strong enough to support the implant and the metal screws that will hold the implants in place.

Hence, the need to have healthy gums. Many also opt for dental implants for purely cosmetic reasons. According to the University of Illinois Chicago, dental implants improve a person’s smile and bone and facial structure.

The Reaction of Gums to Dental Implants

As you start healing from getting a dental implant, the gums will slowly begin to grow around the implant, providing the needed support for the implant, just like it does for your natural teeth.

During the healing process, your dentist will monitor the gum growth closely to ensure the gums do not grow over the dental implant. Ideally, a healing abutment or crown is placed on the implant to get the best of the dental implant.

The full recovery and healing take several months, during which your dentist will monitor your gum’s reaction to the implant.

The healing process involves the osseointegration and fusion of the jaw bone to check the shape and size and, if necessary, adjust the emerging profile to suit the desired contour. You will have to wear the abutment or crown for about three months.

Once the mouth heals completely and your dentist is satisfied with the gum contour around the implant, the crown will be removed, and you can go about grinning and enjoying your new smile.

CONCLUSION: Do Gums Grow Around Dental Implants or Crowns?

The short answer is yes. Gums grow around dental implants or crowns. So, when you feel like getting a dental crown or implant but aren’t sure it will look natural, you can rest easy knowing that no one will see the difference.