failed dental implants

the bottom line

Dental implants are especially likely to fail in people who have unhealthy gums. Because smoking is bad for the health of your gums, it increases the risk that a dental implant won't work.

definitionIf you ever lose a tooth -- perhaps in an accident -- your dentist may recommend that you get a dental implant to replace it. A dental implant is a very modern, high-tech way to replace a missing tooth. When you get an implant, the dentist places a metal post into the bone under the gums. After the bone heals, a replacement tooth is attached to the post. Unlike other kinds of replacement teeth, implants look and feel like the real thing.

the bottom line
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