Severe bone loss in gum disease

[Kay286]

I’m so upset right now, I visited the dentist today
as I started to notice one of my front teeth has a slight increasing gap, and inflamed gums.
I’ve had a huge phobia of dentist all my life after a traumatic experience age 16, admittedly my fault that I try a visit as little as possible.
however I moved in 2020 to a country where dental care is pretty high priority (no one has wonky or bad or yellow teeth - everyone perfect smiles) so I’ve pushed myself to try and be more regular.
2020 I had a 6mm pocket in my front tooth was given a special mouthwash and antibiotics.
i attended reg for cleaning since (apart front when closed for covid)
anyway basically I went today as my front gum is still inflamed and I felt I’d noticed a gap …
my pockets are now 8-10mm with severe bone loss :( he numbed me and did a deep clean and said there was deep infection and pus - so probably been there 3 years ?
its my fault of course for a lot of my life I have not looked after my teeth but I was shocked they have worsened significantly.
what’s options do I have here I really don’t want to lose my teeth I’m fairly young :( are implants possible ?
has anyone lost front teeth and what did you do ?
My dentist wasn’t exactly blunt but implied it’s very likely I’ll lose these teeth.

I would suggest you ask to be referred to a periodontist as they specialise in gum issues.

@notagain2020 yes I asked about gum grafting but he said as it’s straight down ?! Not suitable , he said he can refer me to Ortho to see if a brace will move back the gap and see if would reduce pocket but risk it may make tooth looser

I think for implants you need enough bone there so a bone graft might be needed. You should go to a periodontist for a second opinion.

A periodontist can do a bone graft, I would try and get referred.
It isn't a cheap option but it will give you more time with your teeth before the inevitable happens.

Implants won't be possible with bone loss, you're looking at dentures.

@cryinglaughing ok thanks I’ll ask for a referral , are implants a complete no then it’s not dependent on amount of bone loss ? Money isn’t an issue …. Dreading thought of a denture and not sure how long I could have left with these teeth :(
my mum has had dentures since she was 20 … she won’t speak about it what happened or if it’s genetic… I know I definitely wasn’t imparted much wisdom on looking after my teeth and have avoided most of my life.

@Kay286 I was told that bone erosion means the jaw cannot adequately support implant posts. Also, being foreign bodies in the mouth, they attract plaque/bacteria and are impossible to clean, so the periodontal disease will be active around the posts.

During Covid, I was in an area where we weren't to travel out of, so registered with a local dentist to maintain my hygienist routine. This new dentist was adamant I could have implants, despite having bone grafts in 2011. Thankfully, my regular dentist had already explained it wouldn't be an option, so I wasn't sucked into their very expensive lies.

Sadly, I now have partial dentures but kept hold of my teeth a good 10 years longer with the bone graft.

@cryinglaughing ok thank you for the information really hope I keep onto them a while yet - so annoyed with myself but it’s done.

can I ask how are the partial dentures ? The rest of my my teeth arE ok not perfect it’s the front top two with bone loss :( which obviously the most noticeable…. I hate my smile anyway never show my teeth for photos

@Kay286 I have 5 teeth on my denture and you honestly can't tell, it may help that it is the lower jaw though.
I was upset about having it done, I have religiously attended the dentist all my life 😫

Dentist was fab. Did the impressions and when the denture was made, removed all teeth in one go and I left wearing the denture. He promised me I wouldn't leave his surgery looking like I had missing teeth and he was right.
They were a bit sore due to inflammation but once that settled, I have had no problems.

The bone graft cost me £2700 in 2011, the denture work cost 900, just to give you an idea.

@cryinglaughing thank you , gives me some reassurance xx

I'm a dental nurse and we've done lots of bone grafts on patients who wanted implants but their gums weren't all that great!
We also placed a lot of perio chips. Not sure if that is something that has been offered to you.

@PinkButtercups so were they then able to go on and have successful implants ?
No the first referral is to an orthodontist to see if a brace will move the tooth back into position …. Altho he said a risk it could make it loose !

I had a bone graft then had an implant right at the front. It's been there for about 20 years now. Perhaps go and see an implant specialist.