A Pimple Outside the Gums: Bridge Retreatment Implant Case Due to Bone Loss

Hello!

I’m the director of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

Everyone,

Have you ever had a pimple-like bump on your gums?

It may sometimes burst, and when you press it, it may feel soft.

Many people think, "A pimple on the gums? Maybe I’m just tired," and let it go,

but in fact, this is very likely a sign of "a sinus tract" and inflammation at the root of the tooth.

What is a sinus tract?

It is a passage formed when inflammation develops at the root tip of a tooth and the bone dissolves, allowing pus to drain out.

Put simply,

it is an emergency passage created by the body to expel pus outward.

Main causes of sinus tracts Pimple on the gums / bone loss

1. Re-infection after root canal treatment
2. Alveolar bone loss
3. Inflammation at the root tip of a tooth
4. Inflammation from old bridges or prosthetics

In particular, if a tooth has already had root canal treatment, or has a crown or bridge, there may be inflammation progressing inside even if it looks fine from the outside.

Today, I’d like to introduce a patient who visited us with this kind of symptom.

They came in with a symptom that had swollen up like a pimple outside the gum. It had been swollen and painful for a few days, and then a pimple(?) appeared. Pimple on the gums / bone loss

As a result of a detailed diagnosis, the condition was as follows.

1. Upper left molar bridge status

2. Root canal treatment had already been done, and one tooth had already been extracted

3. All possible tooth-saving treatments had already been completed, so no further conservative treatment was possible

4. All molars except the lower right were in a bridge state

5. The lower front teeth were an implant bridge

The patient had undergone multiple root canal treatments and prosthetic treatments over time, but in the end, as the bone dissolved, the condition reached a point where it could no longer be preserved.

Since all treatments that could save the teeth had already been completed, there was no choice but extraction.

In fact, in this patient’s case, the most ideal treatment would be comprehensive retreatment considering the overall dental condition.

Because, The upper left and right sides are also in bridge form, and both sides are in poor condition.

The lower teeth also have several connected bridges, and because the molars are not supporting the biting force, even the front teeth are being affected.

However, considering the patient’s financial, time, and physical circumstances, it is often realistically difficult to treat all the teeth at once.

So we set priorities together with the patient and began treatment. Treatment plan Pimple on the gums / bone loss Extract 4 upper left molar teeth Perform scaling and treat gum inflammation Place 4 implants and connect the teeth Perform bone grafting

Treatment sequence Pimple on the gums / bone loss The upper left molars were extracted, 4 implants were placed, and bone grafting was performed as well.

In some cases, the tooth is removed and we wait, while in others, the tooth is extracted and implants are placed right away. Why is that?

I explained it in detail in the post below.

https://blog.naver.com/implant_master/223910557668

On the day after surgery, we disinfected the area and checked the recovery progress.

Pain usually continues through the day of surgery and until the following day, and if you take the prescribed medication properly, there should be no major issue.

After about 3 months, when the implant has firmly integrated with the bone, we prepare to take impressions.

And after about 7–10 days, the implant teeth are completed. You can start by eating softer foods and gradually adapt. Since you had been eating for a while without molars, please avoid overstraining them and chew on both sides.

Then, after 2 weeks, we check whether there were any discomforts with the temporarily attached teeth, and after sufficient adaptation, we review the condition and bond them permanently.

We’ll see you at the next regular checkup.

Go to make a reservation call
02-481-4278

Important points in this case Pimple on the gums / bone loss

1. A pimple on the gums is a sign of tooth inflammation.

Please never just ignore it; you must visit a dental clinic.

2. The more crowned teeth you have, the more essential regular care becomes. Teeth with crowns or teeth connected by bridges may look fine on the outside, but inflammation can be progressing inside.

It is most important to detect problems before they occur.

3. You need to look at the whole picture, not individual teeth.

If you have many crowned teeth or several bridges, fixing only one area can easily lead to problems elsewhere again.

Because the upper and lower teeth interlock and receive force, treatment planning should be approached with a "forest, not just the trees" perspective.

Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic provides an overall treatment plan suited to each patient’s situation.

Thank you.

▼Check the clinic location▼ A Pimple Outside the Gums: Bridge Retreatment Implant Case Due to Bone Loss 2025. 6.23- 10.15

| This post was written directly by Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Advertising Act. The provided information is recommended for reference only, and for symptom assessment and accurate management methods, please visit a medical institution and receive guidance from medical staff. All procedures and surgeries performed at the dental clinic may carry possible risks (inflammation, bleeding, swelling, etc.) depending on the individual. Please make decisions after sufficient consultation with medical staff in advance. The treatment cases in this post were photographed with the consent of actual patients who completed treatment at our clinic, and the before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions. |