If you’ve been told you need to make an appointment in our Pasadena office, but you also smoke cigarettes, you might be wondering if your habit will affect this dental procedure. After all, anytime you go to the doctor you’re used to hearing that you need to quit. Well, while the doctors at Lytle, Tate & Stamper don’t want to lecture you, they do need you to know that smoking can increase your risk of dental implant failure.
Smoking May Cause Your Dental Implants to Fail
You probably already know that one of the reasons we recommend that so many of our Pasadena patients who are missing teeth get dental implants is because they are built to be permanent. When properly cared for, dental implants have upwards of a 90% success rate of lasting a lifetime. However, the nicotine in smoke, as well as in chewing tobacco, reduces blood flow and can make it harder, not to mention slower, for your body to heal, including from oral surgeries. Because of this, if you smoke or chew tobacco, it’s more possible that your dental implants won’t fuse with your jawbone tissue. If this fusion doesn’t occur, your dental implants can fall out, or become so loose that they need to be removed.
What Should Pasadena Dental Implants Patients Do if They Smoke?
Smoking doesn’t necessarily exclude you from getting dental implants. After all, they are still the best tooth replacement system on the market. But, if you’ve been told you need to get dental implants and you’re a smoker, here are some suggestions to better ensure that your dental implants are successful:
- Quit Smoking Now.
We know this is easier said than done. But, you’ve likely been hearing from several sources that you need to quit smoking. What better time to quit than now, when you can improve your overall health while also improving your oral health, restoring your beautiful smile.
- Quit Smoking for 1 Week Before and After Your Dental Implants Procedure.
We know the thought of quitting smoking can be anxiety causing for those with a smoking habit. Can you commit to quitting for two weeks – the week before and the week after your surgery? If you think you can handle this smoking cessation alternative, talk to the doctors at Lytle, Tate & Stamper for some support.
- Cut Your Smoking Habit in Half.
If you don’t think you can quit smoking, not even for a few weeks, do you think you can at least cut back? Even if you smoke half as much as you do right now, you can improve the blood flow in your mouth and increase the chances that your dental implants will be successful.
Getting More Information About Dental Implants
If you’re looking to restore your smile to its former beauty with dental implants, we understand that you likely have a lot of questions about the procedure, the risks and the likelihood of failure. That’s why we’re here. 3
If you have any questions about the dental implants process, schedule an appointment in our Pasadena office so that you can have all of your questions answered. You can make an appointment today by calling (818) 240-1805.
