What you do after you have had a dental implant procedure can determine whether it is successful in the long run. There are certain bad habits that can affect your mouth and weaken the implant to the point where the procedure may fail. Smoking and vaping are habits that can have negative impacts on the site of the implant, and they can weaken your jaw. If it is at all possible, you should consider quitting smoking entirely or cutting back on it while your mouth is healing.
Does Smoking Cause Implant Failure?
Studies have shown that smoking can and does cause implant failure. The rate of implant failure among smokers is between 6.5% and 20%. This rate is higher than that which is experienced by the general non-smoking population. The rate of implant failure is higher the more cigarettes one smokes per day.
One of the major ways that smoking can affect you is by restricting the flow of blood in your body. You need as much blood as possible to flow to your gums to allow them to heal after an implant procedure. Smoking may weaken the bone, and you need the bone to be as strong as possible to support the implant. Because of the effects of smoke, the implant may not properly infuse into the bone.
Furthermore, infection is one of the leading reasons why dental implants may fail. Smoke from cigarettes or vaping may cause an infection in your mouth, which can result in implant failure.
Studies show that the riskiest time for a smoker is between when the implant is initially inserted and when the artificial tooth is connected. Here, the peri-implant tissue may be exposed and exposed to smoke.
How Can I Prevent Implant Failure?
Tending to your oral health is crucial to ensure that your implant procedure has the best possible chance of success. If you currently smoke, you should consider quitting as soon as possible. At the very minimum, you should cut back on your smoking and vaping right after your procedure. This will give the implant site more of an ability to heal. The healing process can take three to six months, and you should try to avoid smoking during this time. Even if you continue smoking, you should pay extra attention to your oral health to prevent implant failure. Make sure to follow all of the post-procedure instructions the surgeon gives you to enhance your oral health and increase your chances of success.
Contact a South Jersey Oral Surgeon at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons A South Jersey oral surgeon at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons can perform a comprehensive evaluation and help determine whether you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant. You can schedule an initial assessment with one of our surgeons by calling us today at 856-582-4222 or contacting us through our website. We have offices in Washington Township, Haddonfield, and Woolwich Township, New Jersey, and we serve clients in South Jersey.