The answer is yes; however, it's essential to understand that tobacco use can significantly impact the success or failure of dental implants. Here's what you should know.
Why Smoking Negatively Impacts Dental Implants
Smoking reduces your blood flow and weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for dental implants to successfully integrate with your bone (osseointegration). This increases the risk of potential implant failure.
A weakened immune system also increases your susceptibility to infections. A dental infection can be the downfall of a tooth implant, causing it to fail.
You may also experience a slower recovery process due to smoking or tobacco use.
What Should Smokers Do If They're Considering Dental Implants?
Consult your dentist to confirm your candidacy for dental implants and discuss your smoking habits. You might want to consider quitting tobacco use, which improves your oral health and overall well-being.
Please follow any post-surgical protocols provided by our dentist. This will aid in a successful recovery and enjoyment of your dental implants for many years to come.
If you're interested in learning more about dental implants in Knoxville, TN, please contact our team at (865) 722-0239 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Holt.