Sciota, Pennsylvania
Dental implants are all the hype in the dental world, celebrated by dentists far and wide for being the gold standard for restoring one missing tooth or an entire arch of missing teeth. Implants look and function just like natural teeth and, with strong oral hygiene practices, they have a lifelong success rate of almost 100 percent!
People with healthy gums and adequate jawbone mass make excellent candidates for dental implants. But if you’re a smoker, you can be sabotaging your chances of being a candidate for dental implants. Today, our Chestnuthill cosmetic dentists are sharing why you should stop smoking if you’re planning to take advantage of dental implants.
How is smoking harmful?
Tobacco products wreak havoc on gums and teeth. Smoking has long been known to be detrimental to human health. It slows blood flow, restricts blood vessels, slows the body’s healing process and will slow recovery from dental implants. Dental implants require oral surgery. During the implant placement, a titanium post is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Healing time is expected to take about six months before a crown — the tooth-like cap on the implanted post — can top the implant. During this healing period, the implant post will fuse to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Good blood flow is critical for healing.
Our Sciota implant dentists urge prospective implant patients to stop smoking, in particular, before and immediately after implant surgery because smoking slows the body’s healing process and will subsequently slow recovery. But all tobacco products should be avoided.
Is vaping a safer option?
No. The main ingredient in both cigarettes and vapes is nicotine, which is what restricts blood flow and slows healing. Our cosmetic dentists who specialize in dental implants in Sciota will advise patients to quit smoking or using other tobacco at least two to three months prior to receiving dental implants. Additionally, it is essential to remain smoke-free during the six-month healing period.
Dental Implants in Sciota, PA
Dental implants can completely transform a smile, taking years of age off your face and giving you your self-confidence back. If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, give us a call at Chestnuthill Dental at (570) 865-7929, or reach out to us online today.
