San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Are you living with tooth loss? Then you probably have looked into ways to replace your missing teeth and restore your smile. If you have done any research on the subject, you already may know that dental implants are considered to be the best way to replace lost teeth. Whether you need a single dental implant to replace one tooth or have more significant tooth loss that may require something like implant-supported dentures or the “teeth in a day” system, restorative dentistry that involves implants is more stable, certain pre-existing conditions and behaviors may disqualify you from being a candidate. One of these behaviors? Smoking. The dental implant dentists in the Bay Area at Glen Park Dental want to educate you on why kicking the habit should be at the top of your to-do list if you want dental implants to replace your missing teeth.
Does smoking automatically disqualify me from getting dental implants?
No. However, it can preclude you from being a good candidate for implant dentistry. Whether you smoke or vape, you face a higher risk of complications, up to and including total implant failure. The insertion of the implant screw itself is a surgical procedure and, like any type of surgery, smoking hinders the post-surgery healing process. This is because of the nicotine in tobacco or e-cigarettes. Nicotine constricts blood flow, which is crucial to proper and rapid healing from any surgery.
Moreover, inhaling the smoke can burn the tissues in your mouth. This frequent burning eventually can thicken the outer layer of skin cells inside the mouth and damage salivary glands, making you more vulnerable to dry mouth and potentially harming your mouth’s natural ability to wash away potentially harmful bacteria. Smoking also weakens your immune system, raising your risk of infection following a surgical procedure of any kind.
We recommend that any patient who is considering a dental implant to quit smoking at least a couple of weeks before the implant procedure begins. Ideally, though, you should refrain from smoking two months prior to receiving an implant and allow yourself another two to three months to heal after the implant screw has been inserted into your jawbone. If you’re going to wait that long between cigarettes, why not just quit smoking altogether? You’ll be healthier and happier!
Dental implants in the Bay Area
Regain your chewing ability and restore your smile by letting Glen Park Dental provide you with dental implants. Remember, not every dentist is qualified to work with dental implants. The insertion of the implant screw itself is a surgical procedure, and only should be performed by an oral surgeon or a dentist with significant experience in implant dentistry. You can rest assured that our dentists have the knowledge and experience that you want for this type of procedure. If you’re ready to find out more, call our office today at (415) 585-1500. We welcome patients of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco.
