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Dental implants are a popular solution for missing teeth that offer benefits such as durability, stability, and a natural appearance. But did you know that smoking can significantly impact the success of your dental implants?
In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between smoking and dental implants, as well as why you should consider quitting if you want the best possible outcome.
How Cigarette Smoking Affects Your Oral Health
Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful to your gums and teeth.
Continuous exposure to tobacco smoke suppresses your salivary glands and reduces salivary flow, which leads to poor oral hygiene. It significantly increases the risk of oral health issues like:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay and tooth loss
- Oral cancer
- Dry socket
- Bad breath
Key Takeaway
Smoking poses a significant risk to the success of dental implants. This includes slower recovery, increased risk of infection, peri-implantitis, bone loss, and implant failure. Quitting smoking is highly recommended to contribute to the success of your dental implants and improve overall oral health.
How Does Smoking Affect Dental Implants?
Smoking has been proven to have a direct impact on dental implant failure rates.
1. Slower Recovery
The chemicals in cigarettes can cause vasoconstriction, a narrowing of blood vessels that reduces blood flow and delays tissue healing. This means that smokers may take longer to recover from the procedure and experience more discomfort.
2. Increased Risk of Infection
Smoking weakens your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight infections. This can cause complications during the healing process and increase the risk of infection around the implant site. This can lead to implant failure and the need for additional procedures.
3. Increased Risk of Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a form of periodontal disease that affects the gum tissue surrounding dental implants. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of developing peri-implantitis, which can lead to implant failure and even bone loss.
4. Bone Loss
Dental implants require healthy bone tissue for support. According to a study, smoking has been found to accelerate the rate of bone loss around dental implants by 0.16mm per year. While this may appear to be a small amount, over time, it can lead to the gradual loosening or failure of implants.
In cases of severe bone loss, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary to provide a stable base for dental implantation. Bone grafts around an implant are a more invasive and costly procedure.
5. Increased Risk of Implant Failure
Due to the harmful effects of smoking on healing and immune response, smokers have a higher risk of implant failure compared to non-smokers. One study found that smokers were 140% more likely than nonsmokers to experience implant failure.
Read our blog, Signs of Dental Implant Failure: What You Need To Know, to learn more.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking for Implant Patients
Quitting smoking reduces the risk factors mentioned above and improves the chances of dental implant success. By stopping smoking before your dental implant procedure, you can:
- Accelerate the healing process
- Decrease the risk of infection and peri-implantitis
- Increase the long-term success of your implants
- Improve your overall oral health
- Reduced risk of gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss
Taking Steps to Quit Smoking
If you’re a smoker considering dental implants, quitting smoking should be a top priority. Here are some actionable steps and resources to help you quit.
- Set a quit date and create a plan to hold yourself accountable.
- Seek support from family, friends, or a support group.
- Consult with a healthcare professional to explore medication and nicotine replacement options.
- Make use of available resources, such as helplines and smartphone apps, for advice and encouragement.
Quitting smoking is not only beneficial for your dental implants but also has a positive impact on your overall physical and mental well-being.
Your Oral Surgeon Deer Park, IL
Smoking poses serious risks to dental implants, including infection, bone loss, and implant failure. Quitting smoking greatly increases the chances of successful implants and improves overall oral and general health.
Are you ready to enhance your smile with dental implants? Oral Facial & Implant Specialists are here to support you on this journey. Our experienced oral surgeons, Dr. Thompson, and Dr. Martin will restore your smile with durable, natural-looking implants to boost your confidence. We provide comprehensive care to help ensure your dental implants are a success.
Contact Oral Facial & Implant Specialists today to book your free dental implant consultation! For dental implants in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or complete the online booking form.
Dental Implant FAQ
Smoking with dental implants can lead to a higher risk of implant failure due to delayed healing, decreased bone density, and increased risk of infection. For the best chance at success for your dental implant procedure, quit smoking beforehand.
It is advised to quit smoking altogether for the best results. After the procedure, it is best to avoid smoking for at least four to six months to allow for proper healing and reduce the risk of complications. It is advised to quit smoking altogether for the best results.
It is recommended to avoid nicotine in any form, including patches, after dental implant surgery. Nicotine can delay healing and increase the risk of complications and implant failure. Consult your oral surgeon for personalized recommendations on quitting smoking before and after your procedure.
If you are searching for ‘dental implants near me,’ contact Oral Facial & Implant Specialists.
