Smile Safety: 3 Reasons Not to Smoke with Dental Implants

If you’re seeking durable yet lifelike replacements for your missing teeth, you might benefit from dental implants. These restorations are the only ones directly embedded into your jawbone, allowing them to provide unique advantages over other options like dentures or dental bridges.

However, those who regularly smoke, vape, or chew tobacco might want to consider quitting before proceeding with dental implants. Although these artificial teeth typically have an incredibly high success rate of more than 95%, using tobacco products can result in their failure. Continue reading to learn three reasons why!

Reason #1: Nicotine is a Vasoconstrictor

Tobacco products contain nicotine, a highly addictive, poisonous chemical that can detract from your overall health. It’s a vasoconstrictor that narrows your blood vessels and limits their oxygen supply. This can alter your blood flow, which is particularly risky for patients with dental implants.

After your surgery, your mouth must form a blood clot over the site to protect it from potential infection. If your body cannot deliver a nutrient-rich blood supply to the wound, it can hinder your recovery.

Reason #2: Failed Osseointegration

One of the reasons that these artificial teeth are so strong is because they include a titanium pole that’s inserted into your jawbone. Once it’s placed, it fuses with your jaw over several months in a process known as osseointegration. As your jaw produces new bone growth, it wraps around and eventually merges with the metal rod.

According to a study published in 2017, smoking cigarettes or vaping leads to an increased rate of implant failure because it slows your body’s healing process. You might think that you can quit smoking for a short time and then resume after your restoration has healed. Unfortunately, this bad habit can result in their failure even 10 years after their initial placement.

Reason #3: Increased Gum Disease

Just like any other surgical procedure, getting dental implants comes with the risk of infection. Your mouth is full of bacteria that can enter the site, leaving it achingly inflamed. If germs penetrate your connective tissue, you could develop gum disease that leaves your prosthetics without a firm enough foundation.

Smoking only makes matters worse because it suppresses your immune system, so you’re less able to fight off unwanted microbes. Not only that, but it can cause dry mouth, which encourages unhealthy bacteria to flourish. That means you’re more likely to contract progressive periodontal problems that interfere with your overall oral well-being.

About the Practice

At Dental Expressions, you and your family benefit from a dedicated husband-and-wife dental duo who are passionate about improving your dental condition. With decades of combined experience, Drs. Heather and Robert Heil can handle everything from basic preventative care to more complex procedures like dental implants. They combine a caring, personalized approach with state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. If you’re interested in implants, you can request a consultation on the website or call (920) 788-6280.