Dental Implants with Gum Disease:
Yes, It's Possible
Gum disease doesn't mean you can't have implants. It means the disease needs treating first. Once your gums are healthy, implant success rates are excellent.
93-97%
success rate after periodontal treatment
3-6 mo
typical treatment-to-implant timeline
From £28
per month with finance
The honest answer about gum disease and implants
If you've been told you have gum disease and you're wondering whether dental implants are still an option, the answer is yes, with the right preparation.
Active gum disease and implants don't mix. Placing an implant into infected tissue would be setting it up to fail. But once the disease is treated and your gums are stable, implants work just as well as they do for anyone else.
The process takes a bit longer because we treat the gum disease first, let everything heal, and then place the implants into healthy tissue. It's a sequential approach, not a compromise. If you also smoke, that's another factor we address as part of the plan.
The Path from Gum Disease to Implants
Treatment happens in phases. Here's what to expect.
Assessment and diagnosis
We assess the severity of your gum disease with a full examination, X-rays, and probing measurements. This tells us exactly what level of treatment is needed before implants can be considered.
Periodontal treatment
For mild to moderate cases, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) removes bacteria below the gum line. More advanced cases may need gum surgery to access deeper pockets. The goal is to eliminate active infection completely.
Healing and stabilisation
Your gums need time to heal and demonstrate stability. We monitor your progress with follow-up appointments. Good oral hygiene during this phase is critical for long-term success.
Implant planning
A 3D CBCT scan assesses your bone levels. If gum disease caused bone loss, we plan accordingly. All-on-4 techniques often work without separate grafting.
Implant placement
Implants are placed into healthy, disease-free tissue. The procedure is the same as for any other patient. With Vivo Bridge, permanent teeth can be fitted within 48 hours.
Ongoing maintenance
Regular hygiene appointments (typically every 3-4 months rather than 6) help prevent peri-implantitis. Good maintenance is especially important for patients with a history of gum disease.
Total estimated treatment time: 6-12 months from first visit to final teeth, depending on disease severity
93-97% implant success rate in patients with treated periodontal disease
A systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that implants placed after successful gum disease treatment have high success rates. The critical factor is eliminating active disease before implant placement, not whether you ever had gum disease.
Source: Journal of Clinical Periodontology
Concerns Specific to Gum Disease Patients
"I lost teeth because of gum disease. Won't the same thing happen to implants?"
This is a reasonable worry. If gum disease destroyed natural teeth, it's logical to wonder whether implants would face the same fate.
Implants can develop peri-implantitis, but it's preventable. The key differences: we treat the underlying disease before placing implants, we provide a tailored maintenance schedule (typically 3-4 monthly hygiene visits), and implants don't have the same vulnerabilities as natural teeth. With proper care, they last decades.
"I've been told I have significant bone loss"
Advanced gum disease erodes the bone that supports teeth. Some patients have been told by other dentists that they don't have enough bone for implants.
Bone loss is manageable. Techniques like All-on-4 use angled implants to work with available bone. Bone grafting can rebuild lost bone where needed. Even patients told 'no' elsewhere often qualify with us. A 3D scan gives us the definitive answer.
"How do I stop gum disease from affecting my implants?"
Patients with a history of gum disease are at higher risk of peri-implantitis if maintenance is neglected.
A structured maintenance programme is the answer. We schedule hygiene appointments every 3-4 months (rather than the standard 6). We teach you targeted cleaning techniques for around your implants. Patients who follow the programme have excellent long-term outcomes. If you also have diabetes, maintenance is especially important as both conditions affect gum health.
"The gum treatment itself sounds painful"
Deep cleaning and gum surgery sound intimidating. Many patients have avoided treating their gum disease because they're worried about the discomfort.
Modern periodontal treatment is far more comfortable than you'd expect. Deep cleaning is done under local anaesthesia. Sedation is available for patients who feel anxious. Most patients say the anticipation was worse than the reality.
UK's Top Rated Dentists
Dr Sunil Mangla
BDS (Liverpool), PG Cert Sed and Pain Management (Lon)
Dr. Yasser El-Ali
DDS (GBG Sweden) 2001, GDC Nr: 79231
Dr. Nasim Mechoui
BDS (Bristol), MSc Implant Dentistry (Rome)
Dr. James Bodonyi
M.B.M.S (Adel), M.A.
Dr Sunil Mangla
BDS (Liverpool), PG Cert Sed and Pain Management (Lon)
Dr. Yasser El-Ali
DDS (GBG Sweden) 2001, GDC Nr: 79231
Dr. Nasim Mechoui
BDS (Bristol), MSc Implant Dentistry (Rome)
Dr. James Bodonyi
M.B.M.S (Adel), M.A.
Dr Sunil Mangla
BDS (Liverpool), PG Cert Sed and Pain Management (Lon)
Dr. Yasser El-Ali
DDS (GBG Sweden) 2001, GDC Nr: 79231
Dr. Nasim Mechoui
BDS (Bristol), MSc Implant Dentistry (Rome)
Dr. James Bodonyi
M.B.M.S (Adel), M.A.
From Gum Disease to a New Smile
Hear from patients who overcame gum disease and received dental implants
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Gum Disease and Implants: Your Questions Answered
Can you get dental implants if you have gum disease?
Yes, but not while gum disease is active. The infection must be treated and stabilised first. Once your gums are healthy, implant success rates are comparable to patients who never had gum disease. The key is proper treatment sequencing.
How long after gum disease treatment can I get implants?
Typically 3-6 months after periodontal treatment, depending on the severity. Mild cases may only need a deep clean and a few weeks of healing. More advanced cases may require gum surgery followed by a longer stabilisation period. We monitor your progress and place implants only when conditions are right.
Will gum disease come back after I get implants?
Implants can develop peri-implantitis, which is similar to gum disease around natural teeth. However, with proper oral hygiene and regular maintenance visits, this risk is very manageable. We provide a personalised maintenance plan to protect your investment.
What if I've already lost teeth from gum disease?
Tooth loss from gum disease is one of the most common reasons patients come to us. The bone loss that accompanies gum disease can be addressed with techniques like All-on-4, which uses angled implants to maximise available bone.
Is the implant procedure different for gum disease patients?
The implant placement itself is the same. The difference is in the preparation: we ensure your gums are completely healthy before proceeding. Some patients also need bone grafting if gum disease has caused significant bone loss. Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific situation.
How much do implants cost for gum disease patients?
Implant costs are the same regardless of gum disease history. Single implants from £1,695, full arch from £6,995. You may have additional costs for periodontal treatment beforehand (deep cleaning, gum surgery). We provide a full cost breakdown at your consultation. 0% finance from £28/month. See our funding options.
What Our Patients Say
Real stories from real patients who transformed their smiles with Dental By Design
From the moment I walked into the practice and spoke to reception I was made to feel very relaxed and at ease. I arrived early and was able to go in and start the consultation almost immediately without having to wait. The consultation process was very easy to understand and done very professionally with my welfare and interests always the priority. Just waiting now until I can find out the final cost and my appointment date to start a new chapter in my life.
Response from Dental By Design
Thank you, Howard! We’re really glad you felt relaxed and looked after from the moment you arrived, and that the consultation was clear and professional. We’ll be in touch soon with your final cost and appointment date!
07/17/2026
Kindness from beginning to end. I wanted to know the best option for me as I am struggling to chew. I had scans & a 3D scan. I saw Dr Roy, who explained everything clearly & took time to make sure I understood the procedure. I now have to decide whether to go ahead.
07/15/2026
Wow what can I say , from the lovely girls who greet you , and the ambiance of the clinic,first impressions are everything , then you have the brilliant dentists , who put your mind at rest , changing life experience, their are a lot to choose from on the internet, but I just new and thank u all at dental by design x
Response from Dental By Design
Thank you so much, Graham. We are really grateful for your kind words. It is lovely to hear that you felt welcomed from the moment you arrived and that the team helped put your mind at ease. Dr Yasser and everyone at Dental by Design are so happy to know your experience felt life changing. Thank you for trusting us with your journey!
07/13/2026
Dr. Yasser was very relaxed and courteous, he explained clearly that my jaw bone was not suitable for the treatment that I wanted, because of his clarity and patience I completely understand. Top marks to him.
07/10/2026
From welcome to goodbye the whole experience in between was very professional in understanding my needs to the 3 D imaging of the jaw and various photos taken to achieve the best results for me. It did not feel pushy and the explanation of costs and ways to pay was excellent 👍🏼. Will recommend with 5 stars 🤩
07/09/2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I cannot recommend Dental by Design highly enough, especially Dr. Yasser. Around two and a half years ago, I had a very difficult root canal treatment that required 7–8 appointments. It was a challenging case, but Dr. Yasser never gave up. His patience, dedication, and attention to detail were truly exceptional, and he made sure the treatment was completed to the highest standard. I recently returned for a check-up after two and a half years, and I was delighted to hear that everything is still absolutely fine. That gave me complete confidence that I was in the best possible hands. Dr. Yasser is genuinely the best dentist I have ever met. His professionalism, expertise, and commitment to his patients are outstanding. A huge thank you to Dr. Yasser and the entire Dental by Design team for the excellent care and support. Highly recommended!
07/09/2026
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