Did you know that your jawbone starts thinning after tooth loss? Without roots to stimulate new bone growth with each bite down, it begins to degenerate, and can even become so frail that it can’t support your remaining teeth.
Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that are surgically embedded in your jaw and can help strengthen it to prevent facial collapse and preserve your oral health. However, if you smoke regularly, you might wonder if it’s possible to undergo the procedure successfully. Continue reading to learn more about it!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants include a support rod, usually made of lightweight, corrosion-resistant titanium, which can withstand the pressure of daily biting and chewing. Once it has been strategically placed in your jaw, it can take anywhere from three to six or more months to recover. This is how long it tends to take for the mouth to generate enough new bone to fuse with your implant and keep it firmly in place.
Once you’ve recovered sufficiently, your dentist provides a customized dental crown, bridge, or dentures, depending on how many teeth you’ve lost, that anchor to the post(s) positioned in your jaw to close the space in your smile.
How Does Smoking Affect Dental Implant Success?
If you regularly smoke cigarettes, vape, or chew tobacco, you may already know that your habit can potentially be harmful to your dental health. For instance, many patients who regularly use these products often develop stains, cavities, or gum disease that require professional treatment.
But smoking can also significantly affect dental implants because nicotine functions as a vasoconstrictor. This, in turn, restricts blood oxygen levels and flow, suppressing your immune system and preventing your body from delivering nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your gums after surgery. Unfortunately, that means you’re much more likely to develop an infection, such as peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure.
This unhealthy habit can also hinder your mouth’s ability to grow bone tissue quickly enough to successfully complete osseointegration, which can cause your new tooth to become destabilized or dislodged.
Can Smokers Get Dental Implants?
Some providers are still willing to perform the implant procedure for smokers. However, they might recommend that you quit for a few weeks prior to your surgery and abstain long enough for your jawbone and gums to recover afterwards. They might also prescribe antibiotics or take other precautions to help avoid common side effects caused by smoking.
If you smoke regularly and are wondering if you can still get dental implants, the best next step is to consult your dentist directly!
About the Practice
At Geller Dentistry, patients benefit from two providers dedicated to helping families in Los Angeles build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful version of their smiles. Dr. Geller, a prosthodontist, and Dr. Gloria, a general dentist, are a husband-and-wife team who collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including implant placement and restoration, conveniently under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (323) 467-1472.