Dental Implants and the Dangers of Smoking
Missing teeth can pose a number of aesthetic problems and dental health issues. Tooth gaps ruin the overall appearance of a smile, potentially leading to self-consciousness when smiling, laughing, or yawning, even around people you have known for years. In addition, missing teeth can make it difficult to eat certain foods, result in bone loss and gum recession, and cause speech impediments.
One of the best options out there to address the various aesthetic and health problems associated with missing teeth is dental implants. The team at our restorative and cosmetic dentistry center would like to go over some of the basics about dental implants and why smoking cigarettes or cigars when you are having dental implants placed is a bad decision.
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue in a tooth gap. When in place, the dental implants are able to support various dental restorations, including dentures, dental bridges, and individual dental crowns.
With regard to smoking, it's already a well-known fact that cigarettes and cigars are bad for your overall health, and they are also bad for dental health as well. Below are some reasons why this is the case.
Smoking Affects Healing and Recovery Time
When you smoke, it has a negative affect on your body's ability to recover after surgery. In order to ensure the fastest possible healing time with few complications, it's imperative that you do not smoke before oral surgery or afterwards.
Smoking Can Cause Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a serious complication that can severely impact the effectiveness of your dental implants treatment. This condition refers to the inflammation of tissue around the dental implant, which creates a mucosal pocket around the implant. This pocket prevents proper fusion of the dental implant and living structures of the mouth, increasing the chance of implant failure.
Smoking Leads to Increased Chance of Infection
Related to the previous two points, smoking can make your body more susceptible to serious infections or may weaken your body's ability to fight off infection. Both can seriously affect your overall healing experience.
Smoking Can Affect Your Response to Medication
Sometimes the benefits of antibiotics and other medications are hampered due to the affects of smoking cigarettes. This can up the chance of infection and other impediments to proper healing.
What Smokers Should Do with Regard to Dental Implants
Given all of the negative effects that cigarettes can have on your ability to heal, it is important that you quit smoking in the weeks leading up to your oral surgery and that you continue to refrain from smoking during the recovery period. It's ideal if you can quit entirely. If you need assistance with this, you can speak with us as well as your general practitioner for practical advice.
Learn More About Implant Dentistry
For more information about implant dentistry and how it can be of great benefit to you and your needs, be sure to contact our Brooklyn Heights cosmetic dentistry center today. We look forward to your visit and helping you achieve the very best dental health possible.
