Dental implants replace the crown and roots of a missing tooth. They can prevent a wide range of dental complications associated with tooth loss. Additionally, dental implants restore oral functions and allow patients to enjoy a beautiful smile. It is important that patients do everything they can to promote the success of dental implant treatment.
Smoking is one habit that can have a negative impact on a patient’s dental implant recovery. The experienced dentists at Fort Bend Dental discuss the potential issues associated with dental implants and smoking, and offer suggestions to help our Missouri City, TX, and Richmond, TX, patients avoid those risks.
How Smoking Affects Dental Implant Recovery
Smokers are exposed to unhealthy chemicals, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, that negatively impact a person’s physical health and make it more difficult for the body to heal after a surgical procedure.
When patients smoke, the heart and lungs do not function at full capacity, which increases the risk of surgical complications. Smoking also decreases blood flow within the body, so surgical sites do not get all the oxygen and nutrients that are needed as the body recovers.
Dental implant patients who smoke are more likely to:
- Develop an infection after treatment
- Experience a prolonged dental implant recovery
- Suffer from dental implant failure
Smoking Guidelines Before and After Dental Implant Surgery
Despite the risks associated with dental implants and smoking, smokers may still be candidates for dental implant treatment at our practice, as long as they are willing to give up this harmful habit, at least temporarily.
When patients give up smoking for even 24 hours, their physical health and organ functions begin to improve. If a patient follows recommended guidelines regarding smoking and dental implant treatment, they can drastically reduce the risk of surgical complications and dental implant failure.
For optimal benefits, patients should quit smoking and cease the use of all other tobacco products at least two to three weeks prior to dental implant treatment. Once surgery is complete, patients should continue to avoid cigarettes for another two months so that the body has time to heal. Our dentists understand that smoking is a difficult habit to quit, but the longer patients can stay away from cigarettes, the more likely it is that they will have successful dental implant treatment.
Can I Smoke After I Have Recovered from Dental Implant Treatment?
Our dentists always recommend that our patients quit smoking cigarettes for good since it has such a positive effect on their physical and oral health. However, a patient can resume smoking once they have recovered from dental implant treatment.
Smokers should keep in mind that smoking increases the risk of oral health problems, including gum disease, which can lead to late-term dental implant failure. It is especially important that smokers practice good oral hygiene habits and schedule regular dental exams and cleanings so that they maintain good oral health.
Get In Touch
Dental implants are a strong and durable solution for missing teeth. If you would like to learn more about dental implant treatment and the recovery process, send us a message at your earliest convenience. You can also call us at (281) 499-3541 to schedule an appointment at our Missouri City or Richmond locations.
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