Does Smoking Affect Your Chances of Getting Dental Implants?

Dental implants are widely considered the best option by most dental professionals for replacing missing teeth. They offer incomparable stability and longevity, as well as being very natural-looking. The biocompatible steel posts are embedded into the jawbone, mimicking the tooth from root to crown. The posts eventually integrate naturally with the jaw, giving you the long-lasting support that a complete set of natural teeth offers. However, to be a good candidate for implants, your oral health needs to be in good condition. So, does smoking impact the chances of getting the gold standard of tooth replacements? Here’s what to know about smoking and dental implants.

How Smoking Impacts Your Oral Health

Years of research have revealed how smoking is not only detrimental to your overall well-being but your oral health too. These are some common ways it can negatively impact your mouth:

• Smoking affects the saliva glands and dries out the mouth, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause gum disease. Eventually, this can even cause the actual loss of gum tissue.
•  Smoking restricts the flow of blood in the gums, which reduces their ability to heal after being injured or undergoing surgery.

How Does Smoking Affect Dental Implants?

Due to how smoking affects your oral health, it can make it more difficult for a dental implant to be successful with patients who smoke. The habit can slow down the healing of the jawbone due to its adverse effects on the blood flow toward tissues and bones. Additionally, the increased chances of gum disease also put dental implants at risk. Lastly, research has found that smokers faced a greater risk of infection after the implant surgery.

So, Can You Still Get Dental Implants If You Smoke?

In general, you can still be a candidate for dental implants even if you smoke. It will depend on several factors, such as how often you smoke, how long you have smoked, and the condition of your current oral health. The chances of implant failure are stronger in patients who are chronic smokers. There are some dentists who refuse to perform the implant procedure on longtime smokers as their jawbone and gums are often in poor condition. Due to these issues, your dentist will give you a thorough exam at your consultation and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If your mouth is not ready for the procedure, they may even come up with a treatment plan with you to get your oral health on track for the restoration procedure in the future.

While smoking can greatly impact not only your oral health but your chances of getting dental implants, they are not entirely off the table. With the help of your dentist, a plan can be made to get you on track to a beautifully restored smile!

About the Author

Dr. David S. Rosenfeld is eager to help you return to a whole, healthy, and beautiful smile. He graduated from the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City. Additionally, he was awarded the status of Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantology for his advanced training in dental implants. With a customized plan, Dr. Rosenfeld can successfully restore your missing teeth. To schedule a consultation, contact him through his website or call (908) 668-7838. You can also text (908) 402-0949.