I smoke and have gum disease can i have dental implants

Q. My two front teeth were crowned almost 29 years ago. Recently they are both giving me discomfort and incredibily loose. Not a good feeling. I a 59 years of age, I smoke and enjoy my white wine. I do have gum disease and a heart murmour. Is it possible to have implants?? OR what would you advise. I definitely do NOT want to have a plate. Many thanks.

A. If you have gum disease, this will be the reason the teeth are loose. It may not be possible to have the crowns replaced successfully.
The first thing that must be done is the resolution of the gum disease. You are putting yourself at huge risk from systemic problems, as well as the problems it causes with the teeth.
Bacteria that cause gum disease are extremeley potent and have been found in the blood system in higher prevelance in heart attack patients. You have a heart murmer so you are even more at risk. I cannot stress how important this is. The fact you smoke does also not bode well for your oral health. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the teeth and gums and can mask the severity of the gum disease. Also with a reduced blood supply, you have fewer white blood cells to combat the disease.
Gum disease also cause bone loss which is why your teeth are loose.
Success of implants relies on a good blood supply and good bone in the area of placement. You cannot have presence of gum disease either because the implants will fail. Any implant dentist that knows what they are doing would not place implants in your mouth.
Unless these issues are resolved unfortunately the only treatment option left is a denture.
I am sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.
If you do want to have implants then the gum disease needs to be resolved and you definately need to stop smoking. You may then be eligible for treatment
Kind regards
Dr Komal Suri

Dr Komal Suri
Smile Design Dental
www.smiledesigndental.co.uk
Tel: 01296 624163
33 High Street
Wendover Buckinghamshire
HP22 6DU

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Tags: gum disease, smoker

This post was published on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 6:57 amand is filed under Dr Suri's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. gums. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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