Clear Choice won’t give me implants and neither will another oral surgeon I went to. Both of them said my gums are in horrible shape. They told me I need to stop smoking which I refuse and get something done about my gums. I don’t want anyone to tell me that I have to stop smoking to get anything done. It’s not happening. The estimate in getting everything resolved with my gums is almost a year. I think that is crazy. Am I supposed to walk around with most of my teeth missing until 2017? Will your doctor see me and give me implants? – Luke
Luke – Dr. LaVacca will be happy to review your diagnostic studies, conduct an oral examination, and provide a third opinion. We can’t promise you that he will provide you with dental implants, though.
Clear Choice and the oral surgeon you saw correctly advised you that your medical health and oral health must be good for you to receive implants. Keep in mind that while it is possible to place dental implants while you continue to smoke and with poor gum health, it is not advisable. Your dental implants won’t last. They won’t even heal properly.
If you insist on receiving implants, someone who doesn’t care about your oral health may provide them for you. But you can almost count on infection, implant failure, and more oral health issues than ever.
If you schedule an appointment with Dr. LaVacca, he will recommend your options for replacing your teeth with or without implants. Even basic restorative treatment will require that your gums are in good condition. That’s a problem that does need to be addressed. Dr. LaVacca will recommend treatment and give you an estimate on how long it will take to treat your gums and get them healthy again.
This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.
