Dental implants Fitzroy could be your choice for a strong and permanent tooth replacement. Implants have a natural feel and look, which is why many patients opt for them. One point that is raised quite often by smokers is whether implants are safe for them. The question is absolutely justified because smoking negatively affects the oral cavity if you take into account all its aspects.
Smoking and implant healing – How are they related?
An implant needs to be properly fused to healthy bone and gums. The jawbone must be free of infection and must heal around the implant; thus, the gum tissue has to be infection-free as well. Smoking causes a decrease in blood supply to the oral cavity. When the blood supply is low, tissues cannot heal quickly, and thus, the failure of the implant will have a greater chance of occurring. It is also mentioned somewhere that the smoking habit dries the mouth. The occurrence of bacteria that cause the gumming of the mouth is quite common in dry mouths.
Bone bonding will be affected by nicotine
Indeed. Nicotine hampers the development of new bone cells. The side where your jawbone and the implant will meet has to be united through a process called osseointegration. This process gets weaker whenever nicotine enters the body. Consequently, the implant loses grip and gets loose early.
Higher Risk of Gum Infection
Infection of the gums is very common in smokers, and it becomes worse with the issue of implants. Infected gums swell, bleed, and become detached from the implant, which leads to instability of the implant. This is why proper maintenance of the gums is necessary prior to the treatment and after.
Delayed healing time
Healing in smokers might take longer than in non-smoking individuals. In case the healing is not done quickly, it can be that the implant has moved or has not been properly attached, thus a failure of the implant becomes more likely. This prolonged healing can also lead to many dental visits.
Higher Possibility of Peri-implantitis
The chance of getting peri-implantitis in smokers is higher. It is a serious infection around the implant affecting the gum and the bone. If untreated, this would allow the loose implant. An excellent standard of oral hygiene and follow-ups keeps this from happening.
Why Good Gum Health Matters
Healthy gums will support your implant. However, bleeding and painful gums may indicate you are not ready for treatment. Your dentist, therefore, checks gum health very early. Implant placement can only be done after the completion of the gum disease treatment.
Importance of Follow-Up
Smokers are required to have more follow-up visits. During these visits, their healing, gum condition, and stability of the implant are checked by the dentist. The purpose of the visits is to protect your investment in the implant.
Can Smokers Get Implants Safely?
Yes, but the chance of success is decreased. If you quit smoking for a time prescribed by your dentist, the success rate of your implant will increase. Even if you just cut down, you’ll improve your healing.
What Would Increase Your Chances of Implant Success?
Follow these key steps:
- Brush at least twice every day
- Use antibacterial mouthwash
- Stop or minimise smoking during the healing period
- Make your follow-up appointments
Follow all of your dentist’s recommendations.
When Should You Delay Having Implants?
You may hold off if:
- The gums have an ongoing infection
- There’s active gum disease
- The jawbone is deficient
- There’s heavy smoking that is not likely to reduce
These disorders must be handled well in advance so that implants may be seen as risk-free.
A local Dentist Fitzroy, will develop for you a plan most suited to your needs and prepare your mouth for a successful implant.
Implants for smokers exist, but the patient faces the most significant obstacles compared to a non-smoker. The Dental Implants Fitzroy will give you strong and natural-looking teeth, but at the same time, you must take care of the state of your gums and bones. ProSmiles Dentist Collingwood will set you on the right track regarding all that concerns implant safety.
Comments are closed.