Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth because they restore the most chewing power, look just like the real thing, and are secured soundly in the jaw through the natural process of osseointegration. Unfortunately, a nicotine habit can significantly complicate the healing process after the necessary placement surgery. Since dentists consider each candidate on a case-by-case basis, here’s a brief guide to how you may still be able to receive dental implants if you use tobacco.
How Can Tobacco Use Interfere with Dental Implants?
The smoke produced by burning tobacco is rich with noxious chemicals that are toxic to your oral health, and chewing habits are infamous for destroying gum tissue and killing teeth. When your gums are exposed to these nasty chemicals, they harden in self-defense. Having to do this frequently will gradually exhaust them, which can lead to gum recession and implant failure. To make matters worse, nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which makes it harder for the gums to heal and fight infection.
Can I Receive Dental Implants if I Smoke?
Since tobacco use can significantly increase a patient’s risk of dental implant failure, it’s ideal to quit the habit completely a few months before receiving implants. However, it’s still possible to place a successful implant in a smoker. If you smoke, it’s important to explain this during your consultation so your dentist can factor this into your treatment plan. They will probably instruct you to abstain from smoking for a few weeks before your surgery until a few months afterward.
If you smoke, it’s especially important to strictly adhere to your dentist’s postoperative instructions to help ensure a thorough and complication-free healing process. This will include brushing and flossing daily while taking care to be gentle around the surgical area. You can also expect instructions to abstain from drinking through a straw, as the pressure changes this action causes in the mouth can dislodge blood clots, cause severe discomfort, and delay the healing process.
If you smoke, you may still be able to restore your smile with beautiful and functional dental implants. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out if implants can be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Josh Branco earned his dental degree at Boston University and completed his General Practice Residency at UNR School of Medicine. He is a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. His offices in Reno offer general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as implant services. If you’d like to book your dental implant consultation, contact his practice online.