Back in the middle of the 20th century, about 40 percent of American adults smoked, unaware of the dangers this seemingly cool habit poses. Nowadays, nearly everyone around globe is aware of how damaging smoking can be, yet you find yourself continuing to reach for a cigarette regularly. Still, despite this unpleasant habit, you know you deserve to enjoy a complete, strong smile again with dental implants. But can you get implants if you smoke? Does this habit disqualify you? What danger does smoking pose to dental implants anyway? Get the answers to these questions here!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Before addressing smoking specifically, understanding the requirements for dental implants can help explain why it’s widely discouraged. To qualify for the gold standard of tooth replacement, you must:
- Be generally healthy (e.g., no poorly managed diabetes, etc.)
- Have a healthy mouth (e.g., no gum disease or cavities on remaining teeth)
- Have enough jawbone tissue to bond to and support the implants
Should you not meet all these criteria, moving forward with dental implants would likely end in failure. The good news is that your dentist can help you get in a better position for these replacement teeth. Whether it’s making lifestyle changes, receiving treatment, or getting a bone graft, dental implants may still be possible for you and your smile.
Why Is Smoking Risky for Dental Implants?
In addition to being unhealthy for your lungs and heart, smoking poses a huge threat to your oral health because it greatly encourages bacterial growth in the mouth. In fact, smokers have twice the risk of contracting gum disease than non-smokers. This infection not only is the leading cause of tooth loss and jawbone deterioration but can also prevent implants from successfully integrating with the jawbone.
In other words, if you continue to smoke as you proceed with implants, you may not end up with the results you want.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
Although you should seriously consider quitting this unhealthy habit for good before implants, it is an addictive behavior, and quitting isn’t easy or brief. You may not wish to wait until you have quit smoking to have a complete smile again.
Despite the heightened risk of failure this habit brings, it is possible to receive dental implants even as a smoker. At minimum, however, you need to refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours after your surgical placement procedure. Not only do you want to avoid welcoming bacteria in your mouth during this vulnerable time, but also the sucking motion of smoking can take off the necessary blood clot too soon, causing a painful complication as you heal.
Even though you may still be allowed to get dental implants if you smoke, you need to ask yourself if smoking merits the additional risk to your overall health and to your prosthetic teeth. Would you be willing to potentially compromise your newfound confidence, your restored ability to eat, and your well-being for a cigarette? Quitting can present a challenge but having a healthy smile you can count on is certainly worth the sacrifice.
About the Practice
At Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys, Dr. Amanda Cobb, our general dentist, and Dr. Dan Mazor, our periodontist, work together to make each patient’s smile goals a reality. When it comes to dental implants, Dr. Mazor can perform the surgical procedure in-house, which means you don’t have to go to a separate specialist’s office. If you’d like to schedule a dental implants consultation, you can reach out to our Big Pine Key office by calling 305-680-1553 or clicking here.