If you have just received a dental implant or planning to get one, you should quit smoking, as it increases the risk of dental implant failure. The majority of the past and current researches implicate smoking as one of the prominent risk factors affecting the success rate of dental implants. Also, most of the studies report that the failure rate of dental implants in smokers is high when compared to non-smokers. These findings cannot be ignored, as smoking has a strong influence on the complication rates of implants as well.
Smoking leads to dental implants failure
One of the most common questions many patients have about tooth implants is whether smoking affects dental implants. The short is Yes, especially, if you have undergone a bone graft procedure to secure your implants. People who smoke are at high risk of infection following surgery and may heal slowly.
The dental implants cost is affordable, and are manufactured devices that are inserted into the jawbone, where they function as anchors for a crown or bridge. For dental implants success, they must have enough bone support. Smoking after receiving dental implants can lead to bone loss, and it can cause the bone to deteriorate. Smoking during the healing phase can cause pockets of inflammation around the implants. When it is left untreated, it leads to peri-implantitis which leads to bone resorption and ultimately implant failure.
Moreover, smoking can reduce the blood flow and slows down the process of healing which can prevent the implants from fusing with the jawbone.
Cigarettes consist of toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks. Among all other chemicals present in a cigarette, Nicotine potentially posses the significant risk of healing and tissue health. Studies show that nicotine constricts blood vessels that make it more difficult for oxygen to reach areas where healing is needed.
If you are a smoker, here are a few suggestions to ensure that your dental implants are successful.
Quit smoking
It is easier said than done. But, you need to stop smoking as it is not good for your overall and oral health. When it comes to your health, what might be the better time than now to quit this habit? So, quit smoking today.
Stop smoking one or two weeks before and after the dental implants procedure
If you are a chain smoker, the thought of smoking can be anxiety, and it cannot be done in a single day. So can you commit to quitting for at least two or three weeks before and after the procedure? Yes, you can!
Cut the smoking habit in half
If you can’t think you can quit smoking, not even for a week, you can at least try to reduce. Even if you smoke half as much as you do right now, it can help improve the blood flow and increase the chances that your dental implants will be successful.