You’ve been wanting to replace your missing teeth with dental implants in Claremore. Unfortunately, you’re also a smoker. Does this mean that your implant is more likely to fail? According to a recent study in Spain, yes. Let’s look more closely at the results of that study, and what it means if you decide to get a dental implant in the future.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts that are surgically placed below the gum line, directly in the jawbone. They perfectly mimic the structure of a natural tooth root. Once they have been inserted, your jawbone actually grows around the implant until it basically becomes a part of you. This process normally takes a few months. Afterwards, your implant dentist in Claremore can attach a restoration, like a crown, on top of the implant to make it indistinguishable from a regular tooth, both to you and anyone else!
Does Smoking Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
A Spanish study followed patients who received implants and tracked their progress over 5 years. The study found that the implant failure rate was 1.4 percent in nonsmokers, and a whopping 15.8 percent in those who smoked. This is because people who smoke are generally slower healers, and have an increased risk of infection following a surgical procedure. Therefore, it’s recommended that if you want to receive a dental implant, you quit smoking beforehand.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants might be right for you if you:
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
- Have adequate healthy jawbone tissue or can undergo a bone graft
- Have healthy gums to support the implant
- Are in good general and oral health
How Can You Take Care of Your Implants?
Implants are designed to last for decades, if not for the rest of your life. Here are some ways to make sure they don’t give you any trouble:
- Brush twice a day and floss once a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and a brush with soft bristles that will be gentle on your implant crown.
- Quit smoking, as that can weaken your gums and lead to implant failure.
- Don’t chew on ice or hard candy because they can break not only the implant crown, but your natural teeth too.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup to make sure your implant and the rest of your teeth are in good shape.
Dental implants are a great solution to tooth loss, as long as you take care of them by making sure you are in good health.
About the Author
Dr. Ali Torabi achieved his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma. He has undergone extensive training in multiple areas, including the placement of dental implants. If you would like to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, contact Dr. Torabi on his website or by calling (918)-342-4444.
