The question of whether a person with gum disease can receive dentures does not have a simple yes or no answer. Gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth. The presence of an active infection creates an unstable environment, making the successful placement and long-term function of any prosthetic device difficult. Therefore, receiving dentures is conditional upon the complete management and stabilization of the underlying gum health issues.
The Essential Pre-Requisite: Treating Gum Disease
Active gum disease must be thoroughly addressed and controlled before a dentist can safely proceed with fitting a denture. Untreated infection prevents proper healing of soft tissues and accelerates the destruction of the jawbone needed for support. The initial step is a comprehensive dental examination to diagnose the severity, differentiating between gingivitis and the more advanced periodontitis.
If the disease is mild to moderate, non-surgical treatment begins with scaling and root planing, often called deep cleaning. This procedure removes accumulated plaque and calculus (tartar) from above and below the gumline, smoothing root surfaces to deter future bacterial attachment. In more severe cases of periodontitis that have caused significant bone loss, the remaining teeth may be too compromised and require extraction.
Once extractions are performed, the dental team must ensure the underlying soft tissues and bone are completely free of infection and have healed sufficiently. A periodontist may be involved to manage the infection, sometimes requiring surgical intervention or localized antibiotics. Allowing the gums to stabilize and heal post-treatment is a mandatory waiting period. This healing phase is critical because active infection would impair the tissue’s ability to adapt to the pressure of a denture, leading to pain and complications.
Denture Options After Treatment
After the oral environment is deemed healthy and stable, the patient can explore various options for tooth replacement. The most common solution is a conventional full or partial denture, which rests directly on the healed gum ridge and relies on suction and the jawbone’s shape for retention. Patients with a history of severe periodontitis often face a challenge because the disease causes significant loss of the alveolar bone.
When bone atrophy is extensive, a traditional denture may lack stability and retention, leading to movement, discomfort, and difficulty speaking or eating. The pressure from a conventional denture resting on the gum tissue does not stimulate the underlying bone, which allows bone resorption to continue over time. This continuous bone loss means a traditional denture will require periodic adjustments (relining) and eventual replacement to maintain a proper fit.
Implant-supported dentures, sometimes called overdentures, are frequently the recommended option for patients who have suffered substantial bone loss. These prosthetics snap onto dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone, offering greater stability and retention than conventional dentures. The implants act like artificial tooth roots, providing mechanical stimulation to the jawbone and helping to mitigate progressive bone loss. While immediate dentures can be placed immediately after extractions, they require numerous adjustments as the gums shrink, making conventional or implant-supported options the standard for long-term stability.
Preventing Disease Recurrence and Ensuring Long-Term Fit
Patients who have overcome gum disease must remain vigilant about oral hygiene to prevent infection recurrence. Even without natural teeth, the underlying gum tissue and jawbone are susceptible to inflammation if the denture is not meticulously cleaned. The denture can harbor bacteria and yeast, which, if left unchecked, can lead to denture stomatitis, a common fungal infection of the tissue beneath the appliance.
Daily care involves removing the denture and brushing all surfaces with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser, avoiding regular toothpaste. Gently brushing the gums, tongue, and palate stimulates the tissue and removes debris before reinserting the appliance. Dentures should be removed overnight and soaked in a cleaning solution or water to rest the soft tissues and prevent warping.
Regular check-ups remain necessary, even with full dentures, to monitor the health of the underlying soft tissue and bone structure. Due to accelerated bone resorption after tooth loss, the denture’s fit will inevitably change over time. The dental professional will assess the fit and may recommend periodic relining, a procedure that adds material to the denture base to accommodate changes in the gum ridge. This ensures a snug fit and prevents irritation or further bone loss caused by a loose appliance.