What Happens if You Smoke with Dental Implants?
To be a candidate for dental implant surgery, patients should be in generally good health and not have any conditions that may affect their ability to heal properly. What many people may not realize is that smoking can also complicate the healing process. More specifically, smoking can make good oral hygiene difficult to maintain, increase the risk of infection, slow the healing process, and even weaken bone structure. That’s why refraining from smoking before and especially after undergoing dental implant surgery is crucial for long-term success.
Research has shown that smokers are at a higher risk of dental implant failure compared to those who do not smoke. One study, in particular, looked at 66 implant patients over the course of five years. The failure rate of those who smoked was 15.8%, while the rate for those who refrained from smoking was only 1.4%. This goes to show that if you have dental implants, it’s in your best interest to quit smoking to ensure the investment you make in your teeth and oral health is worth it.
Our dentists prioritize patient safety above all else, which is why they encourage patients to cease smoking prior to their dental implant surgery. By doing so, they says they’re being proactive in protecting their long-term health and lowering their risk of possible complications.
For more information and helpful tips on how to quit smoking, please visit TobaccoFreeLife.org