Dental implants are an effective restorative dentistry procedure designed to help individuals replace one or more missing teeth. Implants are anchored to the jawbone, ultimately serving as an artificial tooth root. A customized crown is then affixed to the top and color-matched to blend in with the surrounding teeth. Dental implants can be a great solution for patients looking to restore both form and function to their teeth.
Before a dentist will fit you with a dental implant they will review your candidacy for this procedure. One important requirement is that individuals should not be smokers. This is an essential prerequisite because there have been studies conducted that illustrate the connection of tobacco use with dental implant failure. Researchers have found that, for smokers who consume 30-40 cigarettes per day, there is a high implant failure rate. Smokers who consume more than 14 cigarettes per day also show a greater amount of marginal bone loss than those who consume less. Other studies have shown that smoking can delay the healing process and increase the possible risk of infection. Therefore, our dentists feel confident in saying: yes, smoking can affect dental implants.
If you are a current smoker, our dentists recommend quitting at least one month prior to the initial procedure date, and a plan should be in place to ensure you do not resume the habit. This can help to improve the chances that your dental implant procedure will be successful for many years to come.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants, please contact our office today.