A single loose tooth can feel like the end of a bright smile, and active gum disease often stands in the way of restoring it right away. The short answer is no, an implant cannot be placed safely until the infection is under control, because the same gum tissue and bone holding a natural tooth in place must also support an implant.
At Advanced Periodontics of N.J., Dr. Matei and Dr. Peto treat gum disease first, then move forward with dental implants once a patient’s mouth is healthy enough to support one. Every case looks different, so our team builds a plan around each patient’s stage of gum disease and overall oral health before any implant is discussed.
Why Active Gum Disease Affects Implant Candidacy
Gum disease begins when bacteria build up along the gumline and cause inflammation. Early signs often include red or swollen gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Left untreated, this chronic gum disease can spread below the gum and start breaking down the bone holding teeth in place. An implant depends on that same bone to fuse properly through a process called osseointegration. When the bone is already weakened by infection, the implant has a harder time bonding, which raises the chance it may loosen or fail over time.
Long-term research backs this up. A 20-year study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found an overall dental implant survival rate of 93 percent, and patients with a history of gum disease who stayed consistent with maintenance visits kept implants at rates similar to patients who never had gum disease. The bigger risk factor was not a history of gum disease itself, but skipping regular follow-up care after treatment. This is one reason our team treats the infection completely before any implant is placed, rather than working around it.
Treating Gum Disease Before Implant Placement
Treatment usually starts with figuring out how far the gum disease has progressed, because early gum inflammation responds differently than a deep infection around the roots.
Non-Surgical Options
Many patients start with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, which removes bacteria and buildup from below the gumline. This step alone can resolve early gum disease and set the stage for future implant work. For patients with more advanced infection, additional care may be needed before the gums are ready, and our team monitors healing closely before moving forward with any implant plan.
Laser and Surgical Treatment
For deeper infection, our office offers LANAP, a laser-based treatment that targets diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum around each tooth. When bone loss has already occurred, guided tissue regeneration can help rebuild the structure an implant may eventually need. Combining these treatments gives the gum tissue and bone time to heal before any implant is placed, which supports a more stable result later on.
Why Patients Trust Advanced Periodontics of N.J. With Implant Care
Dr. Matei brings a background spanning biomaterials research, implantology, and periodontics, and our team draws on that experience with every patient who needs both gum disease treatment and implants. Our office brings together training and experience that supports patients at every stage of gum and implant care, including:
- Advanced implant training: Dr. Matei studied implantology in Switzerland as an ITI Scholar.
- Teaching background: Dr. Matei has served as faculty at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
- LANAP certification: Dr. Matei earned LANAP certification in 2024, a laser option for treating gum disease.
- Collaborative care: Dr. Peto works alongside Dr. Matei to support patients through every stage of treatment.
This mix of advanced training and hands-on care helps patients move from gum disease treatment to a stable, long-lasting implant with fewer surprises along the way.
Contact Advanced Periodontics of N.J. to Begin Gum and Implant Care
Active gum disease does not have to be the end of your plan for dental implants. With the right treatment first, many patients go on to enjoy stable, long-lasting results, and our team is ready to walk you through each step, from an initial evaluation to gum disease treatment to the implant itself.
Dr. Matei and Dr. Peto work together to give each patient a plan built around their own gum health, bone structure, and goals for their smile. Whether you need a deep cleaning, LANAP, or a more involved plan before an implant is possible, our office is prepared to help. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and find out what your next step should be.
