Can You Have Implants if You Smoke?
The Dental Implant and full mouth implant replacement procedure are easily the best tooth replacement options when you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth. More than any other tooth-replacement option — A dental implant looks and feels just like a natural tooth. Where the roots of our natural teeth secure into the jaw, a dental implant acts as the root, by securing a small titanium screw into the bone.
With some remarkable advancements in the technologies used for the dental implant procedure, it has allowed more people than ever before to be able to have dental implants. Which is excellent news, especially for people who have struggled with periodontal disease or dentures for any period of time.
With that said, one factor that is still a problem for implant dentistry is smoking.
If your teeth make you self conscious, or making it hard to enjoy your favourite meals, it’s time to schedule a complimentary implant Assessment with Dr. Spyrakis.
DENTAL IMPLANTS AND SMOKING
If you are a smoker, then keep reading because we have had many smoker patients who have had successful implant placements. So this article is not about giving up smoking, but you do need to understand the risks.
The truth is, when you smoke, you increase the chances of dental implant failure. Smoking restricts the blood vessels, which limits the blood flow to the tissues around the implant.
When the blood flow is restricted, it also restricts all the oxygen and nourishment. The natural healing process is compromised, and the implanted area has a much harder time recovering from the trauma of the surgical procedure.
What The Research Says
A recent study in Spain followed the progress of 66 patients who received a total of 165 implants. After five years the implant failure rate for smokers was 15.8% and just 1.4% in nonsmokers.
Dr. Arturo Sanchez Perez, the researcher at the University of Murcia, said “People who smoke are at greater risk of infection following surgery and may heal more slowly. “When we place a dental implant in a smoker, it is more likely to fail.”
Smoking can also limit bone growth which can affect the osseointegration of the implant. Osseointegration is where the jawbone fuses with the titanium implant. The first weeks post-surgery is when osseointegration starts. However, if the bone fails to grow and tighten around the implant, it can result in implant failure.
What Are Your Options?
The chances of a dental implant failing increase if you are a smoker. For that reason, it’s in your best interests to permanently quit. However, if giving up is not an option, you will need to stop smoking during the dental implant procedure and for at least two weeks post-surgery. Better still, hold off for the entire healing process, that way you give enough time for the tissues and bones to heal.
If you are prepared to stop smoking for a minimum of 2-3 weeks, then dental implants are an option for you. If you are keen to investigate how dental implants would work out for you, you can schedule a free implant assessment with our resident dental implant expert, Dr. Theo Spyrakis.
Meet Dr. Theo Spyrakis, All On 4 Expert at Bexley Dental
Dr. Spyrakis is the dental implant dentist at Bexley Dental. He performs over 550 dental implant cases every year. This has made him one of Sydney’s most experienced dental implant and All on 4 dentists. You can be confident that Dr. Spyrakis will always perform the procedure to the highest standards. Implant dentistry isn’t just an aside service offered by Dr. Spyrakis, but a field of dentistry that he has dedicated his dental career to. This is one reason he is often approached by patients to fix failed dental implant procedures, which were carried out by other dentists. If you are interested in having dental implants or suspect you may have a failed dental implant, you can book a free dental implant assessment at our practice in Bexley. If you live in the St George area, including Rockdale, Hurstville or Kogarah, then certainly give us a call and arrange a free consultation with Dr. Spyrakis.
Interested In Learning More About Bexley Dental’s Approach To All On 4 Implants?
Simply pick up the phone and call us at (02) 9567 4151 today