Periodontist Long Island Helps Smokers Receive Highest Success Rate Possible
You look in the mirror and notice that your gums seem to sit lower than they did the week before. You’re not sure if this is normal aging so you decide to visit with your dentist. While there he informs you that your gums are receding from your teeth and you’ll need to see a Periodontist Long Island for an evaluation and treatment plan. What surprises you is his recommendation for that plan to include a smoking cessation plan.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology smoking after periodontal corrective surgery could “undue” your treatment within two years, leaving you right back where you started.
The study evaluated 10 smokers and 10 non-smokers over the course of two years after receiving cosmetic treatment to re-cover the tooth roots after recession. The results showed that residual gum recession around the area that received the surgery was higher with smokers when compared to non-smokers.
The recommendation to avoid smoking after dental treatment is nothing new. In fact many smokers can tell you prior to treatment whether or not this is one of those qualifying, “put aside your cigarette” moments. In spite of awareness to avoid smoking after treatment many patients continue to smoke, often lighting up right after leaving the dentist office. Periodontists warn however that periodontal surgery is a costly procedure, and not a procedure smokers should want to take their chances with.
When the gums have pulled away from the tooth more of the root is exposed leaving the tooth vulnerable to disease and decay. That tooth’s survival depends on correcting the cause of the current recession in the first place. If treatment is not done the tooth will eventually fall out.
Whether the recession is caused by bacteria or some other cause the Periodontist begins by treating the source of the recession. This is then followed by a procedure to recover the tooth root to help ensure the health of that tooth.
This is where smoking comes into play. The study showed that 50% of smokers lost between .5mm to 1mm over the course of 2 to 24 months. For this reason it is crucial to develop a stop smoking program prior to undergoing corrective surgery. After all, the reason for seeking treatment is to protect the health of your teeth. Why not do all you can from the start?
If you’ve noticed that your gums have begun to recede and you’d like a skilled opinion from a Periodontist Long Island contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He offers alternative treatments for your periodontal needs including laser therapy.
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