More than 34 million people in the U.S. smoke cigarettes, according to data from the CDC. If you are among that number and have suffered a degree of tooth loss, you might wonder how your habit may affect your candidacy for dental implants. The good news is that you are not automatically disqualified from getting them. The bad news is that your habit may have an adverse effect on your treatment’s outcome. This blog post delves deeper into the relationship between smoking and dental implants.
Candidacy for Dental Implants Is Determined Individually
When you visit your implant dentist for a consultation, they will use a range of factors to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Things like your oral health, your overall health, and your jawbone density will all be considered. Smoking and other habits that are not ideal for oral health are not absolute contraindications for treatment.
However, if your smoking habit has already damaged your oral tissues, it is possible that you are not eligible for dental implants at this time. For example, if you have developed gum disease, that will need to be addressed before your dentist will be able to plan for your dental implant procedure.
How Smoking Affects Dental Implants
In addition to possibly affecting your candidacy for dental implants, smoking could also affect your treatment’s outcome in a number of ways:
- Slower osseointegration. Osseointegration is the process through which the jawbone bonds with dental implants. Smoking can delay the body’s healing process and delay or even prevent osseointegration.
- Higher risk of infection. Smoking adversely affects the immune system, and it contributes to dry mouth. Both of these problems increase the risk that bacteria will gain a foothold in the tissue around your dental implants and lead to a serious infection.
- Increased risk of implant failure. A study from the University of Murcia found that among a group of more than 60 adults, 15.8% of dental implants in smokers failed, while a mere 1.4% of implants in nonsmokers faced a similar problem.
What Can You Do?
If you desire to get dental implants, one of the best things you can do is quit smoking altogether. However, if you choose not to do so, you should abstain from cigarettes for at least one week before your dental implant surgery and two weeks afterward.
Also, it is important to note that a higher risk of implant failure is correlated to the number of cigarettes smoked. Therefore, if you choose not to quit smoking, you may experience limited benefits if you cut back on how much you smoke.
Would you like to know more about how smoking may affect your prospects for tooth replacement? Your local implant dentist is ready to answer your questions and design a plan to help you once again enjoy a complete, healthy smile.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group in Branford is proud to have a talented team of dentists and specialists in our practice. We offer a broad range of services, including comprehensive dental implant treatment. If you would like to learn more about dental implants, we would be happy to talk with you. Contact us at 203-437-9112.