Dental implants are one of the best, long-term solutions to tooth loss available. When you have dental implants, the replacement tooth is implanted directly into your jawbone, where it fuses to become a permanent part of your smile. While dental implants are long-lasting, there are some situations that can cause them to fail, and smoking is one of the biggest problems.
New Research Examines Smoking and Dental Implants
Researchers from Spain’s University of Murcia have recently looked at the effects of smoking on dental implant success. This study examined 66 patients who received a total of 165 patients. Five years after their implant procedure, researchers followed up. It was found that smokers had an implant failure rate of 15.8%, while nonsmokers had an implant failure rate of only 1.4%
This information has supported the fact that people who smoke are at a greater risk of developing an infection after surgery. The healing process also occurs more slowly, so when an implant is placed in the mouth of a smoker, the chances of success are considerably less likely.
Consider Whether You Area a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
If you have suffered from tooth loss, you may be interested in dental implants as a way to improve the look and function of your mouth. To be a good candidate, you’ll need to be healthy, have healthy gums, and have enough bone to adequately support the implant. You’ll also need to be committed to having good oral hygiene and to visit your dentist regularly.
Your dentist will do a thorough evaluation of your mouth in order to determine the health of your gums to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are a smoker, make sure your dentist knows about this. He may recommend a different treatment option or offer tips on how to help you quit smoking before dental implants can be pursued.
Please contact us if you have any questions about dental implants.
