I was a patient under Newcastle Dental Hospital for a year before being told recently by my own dentist that I have no option but to lose my wobbling two front teeth (with others to follow within a few years) due to gum recession and bone loss. I have had periodontal disease for years even though I have good oral hygiene (I do smoke though). What options would you suggest to a patient presenting with my problem? Many thanks!
If you are at the stage where your front teeth cannot be saved then your only option is to have them extracted.
In terms of replacing he missing teeth your options are:
1) removable plastics denture
2) metal based denture, relies on other teeth being healthy and would need option 1) for 3 months first
3) bridge off the adjacent teeth although that also depends on the adjacent teeth being healthy enough to take this
4) dental implants. This is an option but there are many implant dentists who won’t place implants in smokers due to the increase rate of complications.
It is a priority to save as many teeth as possible and packing in smoking is a big step towards this, speak to your GP about smoking cessation program’s and make sure you are getting the right periodontal treatment from your practice.
Dr Ian Dunn
PurelyPerio Clinic 334, PO Box 334, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 0AG Web: www.purelyperio.co.uk Tel: 01625 419700
