THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE IMPLANT-PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION IN SMOKER PATIENTS – PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation (both the surgical step of inserting dental implants and also the stage of creating the implant-supported prosthetic restorations) in smokers patients poses particular problems not only for the medical team but also for the patients (and here we refer in particular to the average number of cigarettes smoked daily). Purpose. In this paper we have attempted to present a multitude of factors both theoretical and practical, which can intervene in the implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of heavy smoker patients. Material and method. The study was conducted between April 2018 and November 2018 by applying a questionnaire with 6 questions. The 31 subjects enrolled in the study were aged between 29 to 67years old, specialists and/or primary doctors of general dentistry, dental prosthodontics or dental surgery. Results and discussions. Centralized results have been processed to provide a clearer picture of the current attitude towards heavy smokers for oral rehabilitation with the implant-supported restorations. Conclusions. The insertion of dental implants and subsequent creation of implant-supported restorations are not an interdiction for heavy smokers (up to 60 cigarettes a day) but requires the involvement of both the medical team and especially the patients in the follow-up care period to increase long-term success of dental implants and prosthetic restorations made thereon.

Keywords

• heavy smoker patients
• dental implants
• implant-supported prosthetic restorations