You have missing teeth that you want replaced. With all the buzz about dental implantation, you’re considering this as a possible route to rebuild your smile. There’s one problem – you’re a smoker. How does that affect your chances of qualifying for dental implants and having a successful outcome? Continue reading to learn about the relationship between smoking and dental implants.
Oral Health Hazards Associated with Smoking
Smoking fills your mouth with harmful toxins. One of the side effects is extreme mouth dryness, which can leave you susceptible to increased bacteria growth. Under natural circumstances, the mouth produces around two pints of saliva per day. It helps to flush debris from your mouth, and it contains certain properties that aid in controlling bacteria populations. With decreased saliva production, you’re at a greater risk of experiencing the following problems:
- Gum disease – The condition is brought on when bacteria are allowed to accumulate and settle beneath the gum line to cause infection and inflammation of the soft tissue. Poor gum health can cause an implant to fail.
- Gum recession – Untreated gum disease can lead to gum recession. As the tissue decreases in size, there is less support available for the implant. This can cause it to become unstable and eventually fail.
Smoking and Post-Surgery Healing
Your body has internal mechanisms that contribute to its healing and the fusion (called osseointegration) of the implant to the underlying jawbone. Successful fusion is necessary for the longevity of your implant.
However, smoking can disrupt the natural recovery process. It can cause the blood clot that forms after surgery to dislodge, which can leave you open to a painful infection and slow down the fusion process.
Having an Upfront Conversation with Your Dentist
During the planning phase of the dental implant procedure, your dentist will perform a careful assessment. If you’re still smoking, it will likely be evident based on the condition of your mouth. Once it’s confirmed that you smoke, your dentist will advise against continuing to do so based on the potential harm it can cause. By having an open conversation, your dentist may be able to share resources for helping to manage your smoking habit.
By taking the time to address and hopefully eliminate the usage of tobacco, you can make improvements in your overall and oral health and move forward with having your smile rebuilt in the most reliable and effective manner possible – with dental implants!
About the Author
Dr. Ramandeep Badhan earned his dental degree from the New York University School of Dentistry. An avid learner, he would later complete an extensive postgraduate implant course with Neodent Implant Company. Additionally, Dr. Badhan has completed a Fixed Prosthodontics Mentorship for full mouth rehabilitation cases. He uses his vast expertise to place dental implants at Cambria Smiles to help his patients experience joyous lives, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.