Chain smoking causes man to lose tooth implant after 3 days

Unable to shake his chronic habit in the days after the operation, the patient maintained his daily consumption of two packs of cigarettes, noted the local media.

He lost his prosthetic tooth, just three days after surgery.

According to Dentist Lin Meng-ru, smoking increases one's chances of becoming afflicted with periodontal disease and significantly affects the rate at which a person recovers dental health.

The patient sought medical help for his condition and doctors determined his chain-smoking was to blame.

Lin said there is a direct relationship between smoking and the likelihood of developing gum disease, and smokers tend to get the short end of the stick, with more aggravated symptoms.

In smokers, plaque spreads and grows below the gum line with more proliferation and eventually mineralizes and forms calculus, more commonly known as tartar, explained Lin.

He added that regardless of invasive or noninvasive dental therapy, having a cigarette habit will hinder the healing process.

Because nicotine decreases the gum's regenerative capability which in turn decreases blood supply to the oral cavity, smokers with periodontal disease usually get mild bleeding and don't get it diagnosed, said Lin.

Lin advised smokers to kick the habit and maintain adequate oral hygiene.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email