Are you looking to replace your missing teeth? After considering your options, dental implants might’ve stood out to you. They offer benefits other prosthetics can’t offer, but you will first have to become a good candidate for this treatment. Smoking is one factor that can affect your eligibility, but can you still get them if you have this habit? Here’s what you should know.
How Can Smoking Impact Dental Implants?
Dental implants can restore up to 90% of your original bite without any slippage. That’s because a titanium post is inserted and fused to your jawbone. It uses the structure as a foundation for its strength and reliability. This process, also called osseointegration, can take upwards of six months to fully complete.
Smoking during this time can pose a threat to your results. This habit dries your mouth and burns your oral tissues. They’ll become thicker and possibly block or damage your salivary glands. When you can’t produce adequate amounts of saliva, bacteria will be able to linger around the implant site, increasing your risk of gum disease or failure.
The blood vessels in your mouth narrow as well. This can slow healing as the area won’t be able to get the oxygen, immune cells, and nutrients it needs to recover properly. In fact, your results might be wobbly.
Are Dental Implants Out of the Question as a Smoker?
While smoking can impact dental implants, that doesn’t mean you can never get them. There have been successful cases, but it’s important to partner with your dentist to learn how to improve your odds.
The best thing you can do is to quit the habit entirely. This will stop the complications above so you don’t need to worry about them. If this doesn’t sound feasible, then temporarily stopping may be an option. It’s best to do it a week before your procedure and wait three months afterward. That said, it just depends on what your provider says.
In the end, dental implants are an investment in your smile, so you should do your best to ensure they stay strong for decades. By partnering with your dentist, you can learn about your eligibility as a smoker. They will work with you to come up with a plan that works for you.
About the Author
Dr. Asra Javeed earned her dental degree from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. She is proud to help patients in Virginia Beach restore their missing teeth with reliable solutions like dental implants. By partnering with local implant specialists, you can trust you’re in expert care every step of the way. If you wonder how your smoking habits affect your eligibility, schedule an appointment or call our office at 757-498-6420.