When patients look after their oral health and take good care of their dental implants, these hardy replacements can last for decades (or even a lifetime!). If you smoke, though, the effects of nicotine can cut that lifespan drastically short. Multiple studies trace how tobacco products impact dental implants, and just on average, smokers are more than twice as likely as non-smokers to experience treatment failure.
There are three main reasons why this is the case, and if you’re thinking about getting dental implants as a smoker, you should consider the risks and talk to your prosthodontist about your options.
#1. Nicotine Interferes with Recovery
Nicotine narrows blood vessels and impairs the immune system, making it difficult for your mouth to heal properly after implant surgery. When blood flow is poor, your oral tissue and bone will struggle to get the nutrients they need to repair themselves. An impaired immune system, meanwhile, increases your risk of infection.
#2. Cigarettes, E-Cigs, & Vape Harm Gum Tissue
Your gums are a very important part of your mouth’s structure. They basically help make sure your pearly whites stay in place. Unfortunately, tobacco products directly damage oral tissue like your gums due to the hot aerosols being smoked. This can cause your dental implants to come loose and makes your gums more vulnerable to bacteria that can cause further harm.
#3. Smoking Jeopardizes Osseointegration
Osseointegration is a natural process where bone material fuses with biocompatible substances. In the case of dental implants, for example, the jawbone is supposed to fuse with titanium implant posts that are surgically placed below the gumline. This mimics natural dental roots and is the main reason why dental implants are so secure and powerful.
Smoking jeopardizes this process by weakening the jawbone and slowing down the healing process. Without a solid foundation, a dental implant restoration will fail and can cause serious damage to surrounding bone and tissue.
What Your Prosthodontist May Recommend
Now, it’s not impossible for smokers to successfully receive dental implants. Your prosthodontist may be able to compensate for any existing gum or bone damage with a graft treatment and will be able to provide tips for taking care of your smile. You will likely be expected to stop smoking during your post-op recovery, however, and it’s strongly recommended that you quit smoking entirely to promote the longevity of your restoration.
All that is to say, if you smoke, you do have a higher risk of implant failure, making it important to talk to your prosthodontist. With some personalized treatment planning, you could still replace your missing teeth with dental implants.
About the Practice
At Island City Dental, our team of highly experienced general dentists and specialists will do everything they can to help promote the success of your dental implant treatment! We can perform the entire dental implant process in-office, so you can be confident you’ll receive top-notch care every step of the way. To contact our office and schedule your consultation, call 954-564-7121.