Habitual Health: Can I Get Dental Implants if I Smoke?

Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Not only could you develop anxiety worrying whether others will judge the changes in your appearance, but it’s also harder to engage in once-basic tasks like eating and speaking.

Your periodontist can rebuild your grin with dental implants, but many patients wonder whether their smoking habit will interfere with their results. Continue reading to learn why getting these restorations is the ideal time to consider quitting your tobacco habit!

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that include a titanium rod that’s surgically embedded into your jawbone. This material is biocompatible and eventually fuses with your jaw in a process called osseointegration, allowing your new tooth to function as sturdy standalone structure in your mouth.

Every time you bite down or chew, your body generates new bone growth in your jaw, eventually fully encompassing the metal pole of your implant. Once you’ve healed, your periodontist can provide a lifelike dental crown (or other appropriate prosthetic) to close the space in your smile. This is made from resilient ceramic that can be customized to match the shape, shade, and size of your natural teeth for seamless results.

How Does Smoking Impact Dental Implants?

Before proceeding with implants, you must consult with your periodontist to ensure you’re a good candidate. They’ll need to examine your mouth to ensure no pre-existing issues, like cavities or gum disease, interfere with the results.

If you regularly smoke cigarettes or vapes or chew tobacco, you might not be a good candidate. These products contain nicotine, which is a vasoconstrictor that hinders your blood oxygen levels and flow. That means your body can’t deliver nutrients to your teeth and gums that are essential for recovery. It suppresses your immune system at the same time, greatly increasing the likelihood of developing gum disease. If bacteria penetrate the tissues around your restoration, it could fail.

Can I Resume Smoking After Dental Implants are Placed?

Some patients getting dental implants falsely believe that their new teeth are safe if they resume smoking long after they’ve recovered from their surgery. Unfortunately, this toxic habit is known to affect your restorations years after their initial placement. One study comparing these prosthetics over a 20-year period found that twice as many instances of failure occurred in the mouths of individuals who smoke than non-smokers.

If you want to keep your dental health in peak condition, it’s best to quit smoking for good!

Meet the Author

Dr. Jonathan Ross is a Board-Certified periodontist committed to helping people improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He earned his dental degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and then pursued his periodontal education from the Medical University of South Carolina. Now, he offers several services to improve your gum health and rebuild your grin, including dental implants. He has the specialty training and state-of-the-art technology required to perform the surgery and provide a lifelike restoration in the office to streamline your experience. You can request an appointment on the website or call (440) 461-6008.