The Effects of Smoking on Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line, much like a tooth root, so that the dentist can mount replacement teeth or a bridge that may be needed in that area of the patient’s mouth. Depending on the number of teeth that will need to be replaced and the type of artificial teeth that will be used will affect the pricing for the dental implants. However, it is not uncommon for a single implant crown to cost upwards of $1000 or more. Therefore, protecting this type of investment would be worthwhile in the long run.

What Should be Avoided Following Dental Implants?

Immediately following surgery, many guidelines should be followed regarding what types of food can and cannot be eaten, when it is safe to brush, rinse, spit, and so on. However, there are more long-term care instructions that should be followed to ensure that your dental implants will last.

Smoking is one habit that can seriously affect the life of the dental implants and can cause a higher failure rate of osseointegration. If proper maintenance, in addition to smoking, is not followed, you can also experience the risk of periimplantitis.

What is Osseointegration?

Osseointegration refers to the direct structural and functional connection between the bone in your mouth and the dental implants that were placed. An implant is considered to be osseointegrated if there is no movement between the implant and the bone; this also allows the implant more stability.

Smoking increases a person’s risk of contracting periodontal disease and peri-implantitis. The dental implants will also become heavily stained, and there may be a delayed healing process after surgery if the patient continues to smoke.

What is Peri-Implantitis?

Peri-Implantitis is a long-term risk that is associated with smoking and dental implants. It is a disease that can cause inflammation of the gum and bone surrounding the implant which can lead to some loss of the supporting bone. While it is a risk with any dental implant surgery, the risk is increased if the patient is a smoker.  Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict which can then lead to bone loss.

If you have recently had dental implant surgery and would like to know more about the effects of smoking, you can contact our office today. If you have been considering dental implants, but still have questions concerning the process and cost involved, then you can also contact us today for a consultation to help determine the best course of treatment.