San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Dental implants are cutting edge. They can replace a single missing tooth, multiple lost teeth, or even be used as anchors for specially designed dentures. Either way you look at it, dental implants are secure, natural-looking, and are the closest thing to real teeth as you’ll ever get if you suffer from tooth loss. If getting dental implants is something that you’re considering, here’s what not do!
Don’t smoke!
Now that we cut right down to the chase, cosmetic dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental want to share why you shouldn’t smoke if you want dental implants.
It’s old news that smoking is bad for your health, and your teeth and gums. But, people still do it. Why? Because it’s addictive. If you’re considering dental implants, plan on kicking the habit before your procedure, and don’t pick it back up again.
Here’s why:
Nicotine, an addictive additive in cigarettes, restricts blood vessels, and blood flow. This can pose a significant problem if you’re planning on getting dental implants or are undergoing any type of surgery. The success of any surgery, even for dental implants, relies heavily on the healing process. If you can’t heal or heal too slow, it could complicate the results. In the case of dental implants, smoking could actually result in total implant failure.
A lot of people don’t realize that getting a dental implant involves surgery, oral surgery that is. The implant post itself is surgically placed into the jaw bone at the site of the missing tooth. It then takes a period of about six months for the bone to fuse to the implant, making the post stable enough to complete the procedure. After the healing process, your dental implant dentists in the Bay Area will have a custom crown made that permanently attaches to the implant post. But, if you smoke, you run the risk of a delayed healing process, or implant failure, which would mean a waste of your time and money. Plus, no tooth to fill that gap in your smile.
Not only does smoking affect your chance of getting a dental implant, but it isn’t good for your oral health in many other ways. Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, and deal with tooth loss, compared to nonsmokers. Smoking causes bad breath and leaves stains on your teeth. And, it’s not just smoking cigarettes that poses a danger, so does vaping or JUULing. It’s really just best to quit, whether or not you are thinking about getting dental implants.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants or find out if dental implants are right for you, just call (415) 585-1500 to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, we can conduct an oral health assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Any questions that you may have about the procedure are welcomed during this visit. We look forward to meeting with you!
Glen Park Dental is here to serve patients living in the areas of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco in the Bay Area.
