Periodontal disease — chronic inflammation of the gum and bone that supports your teeth — is the most common reason adults lose teeth. The good news: dental implants are the leading replacement option for periodontitis-caused tooth loss. The harder part: implants placed in patients with active periodontal disease have higher failure rates and higher peri-implantitis risk. The solution is a careful sequence: treat the gum disease first, then place implants. WeCare Antalya integrates periodontology and implantology in a single coordinated plan.
The Two-Phase Treatment
Phase 1 — Periodontal stabilisation (1-3 months)
Before any implant is placed, we treat any active gum disease. This phase happens partly at home (with your local hygienist or periodontist) and partly during your first WeCare visit.
- Deep scaling and root planing (full-mouth)
- Antibiotic therapy if active infection
- Photographic documentation and periodontal charting
- Oral hygiene re-education
We confirm stabilisation by repeating the periodontal chart and bone-level X-rays before scheduling implant surgery.
Phase 2 — Implant placement (1 trip, 4-7 days)
Once gum disease is controlled, we proceed with implants. Often this requires bone grafting because periodontitis destroys bone around the lost tooth. The grafting and implant placement can sometimes be combined in a single surgery (depending on case complexity), or staged with grafting first and implant placement 4-6 months later.
Why Brand Choice Matters After Periodontitis
Patients with a history of periodontal disease have a higher peri-implantitis risk than the general population. We select brands and surfaces that minimise this risk:
- Straumann SLActive® / Roxolid® — Our preferred choice for peri-implantitis-prone patients. The chemically modified surface accelerates osseointegration in compromised bone, reducing the time the implant is exposed.
- Nobel Biocare TiUltra — Excellent alternative; multi-zone surface designed for soft-tissue health at the implant neck.
- Tissue-level (vs bone-level) implants — Considered case-by-case for patients with thin gum biotype, where the implant collar sitting at gum level reduces inflammation risk.
We never use generic or budget implants in periodontitis patients. The success-rate data does not support it.
Bone Grafting After Periodontal Bone Loss
Most patients who have lost teeth to gum disease also lost surrounding bone. Implant placement in low-volume bone is mechanically unstable. Solutions:
- Socket preservation — Bone graft placed at extraction time to preserve volume for future implant.
- Ridge augmentation — Bone graft placed to widen or heighten the alveolar ridge before implant.
- Sinus lift — Bone graft into the upper-jaw sinus floor for upper-arch implants.
- Connective tissue graft — Soft-tissue graft for thin gum biotype, improves long-term implant stability.
WeCare performs all four in-house using your own bone (autograft) or premium synthetic substitutes (BioOss, Geistlich). Pre-treatment 3D CBCT scan tells us exactly what is needed before you travel.
All-on-4 / All-on-6 for Severe Periodontal Cases
When periodontitis has caused widespread tooth loss, full-arch reconstruction with All-on-4 or All-on-6 is often the most predictable solution:
- All-on-4 — 4 strategically angled implants per arch supporting a full bridge of 12-14 teeth. Ideal when bone is reasonable in the front of the jaw.
- All-on-6 — 6 implants per arch for additional stability. Recommended when bone density is reduced or bite force is heavy.
Both procedures combine extraction of remaining periodontally-compromised teeth with same-day implant placement and a same-day temporary bridge. The final permanent bridge follows 3-4 months later. The advantage for periodontitis patients: removing the diseased teeth and replacing them with implants in a single surgery breaks the inflammatory cycle.
Long-Term Maintenance for Periodontitis Patients
After implant placement in any periodontitis patient, lifelong maintenance matters more than the surgery itself. Our protocol:
- 3-month professional cleanings for the first year (vs 6 months for non-periodontitis)
- 4-month cleanings after year 1
- Annual peri-implantitis screening at WeCare (free for 5 years) or with your home dentist
- Daily Waterpik / oral irrigator use
- Soft-bristle electric toothbrush
- Antibacterial mouthwash for the first 3 months post-surgery
What to Send Us
WhatsApp +90 551 086 83 68 with:
- Recent panoramic X-ray (OPG)
- Periodontal charting from your home dentist or hygienist (if available)
- Photographs of your gums (close-up smile)
- List of teeth lost to gum disease (when, how)
- Any antibiotic history
- Current oral hygiene routine
Within 24 hours we reply with a written, personalised plan: stabilisation steps, bone grafting if needed, implant brand recommendations, and your individual quotation. We then arrange the 4-star hotel, Mercedes airport transfer, and clinic shuttle.
