Ask an Expert: Gum problem before implant

Gum Diseases

Gum problem before implant
08/13/2008

Question:

I had my #7 tooth pulled and had the bone marrow stuff put in to get ready for the implant. I had my stiches removed only to be put in for another 2 weeks, and my dentist is saying im not healing. they removed the stiches and told me to just leave that area alone and that I need to heal or something else is going to have to happen, my gum line is reseeding and I have a what feels like a gash (a slit) in my gum and im very concerned, what do I do???

Answer:

The tissue needs to mature enough before a secondary surgery. This will take probably 6-8 weeks. Your doctor may decide to do a soft tissue grafting before a second bone graft surgery and implant surgery. Thus, there are ways to solve the problem but it will take longer than what was originally presented to you.

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Response by:

Binnaz Leblebicioglu, DDS, MS, PhD
Associate Professor of Periodontology
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University