Many people believe dentures are the only option for replacing a missing tooth or full set of teeth, but there are alternatives. One of these alternatives is dental implants, which are surgically inserted into a patient’s mouth, giving him or her teeth that are both fully functional and aesthetically pleasing. Implants are meant to be permanent; however, they can fail under certain conditions, especially if the patient is a smoker.
It is important to be aware of how cigarette smoke affects your dental implants before you receive them. To learn more about dental implants or how smoking affects their longevity, contact an Austin dental implant dentist at BridgeView Dental today by calling 512-347-8299.
Smoking and Implants
Although it has long been known that smoking tobacco is harmful to your natural teeth, a study published by the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) in February 2007 reports that 15.8 percent of dental implants failed in those who smoked compared to only 1.4 percent in people who do not smoke.
Not only does cigarette smoke increase the chance of implant failure or deterioration, but it also slows down the healing process after surgery and puts patients at risk of infection due to decreased blood flow to the tissues and bones in the mouth.
Contact Us
If you are considering getting dental implants and are a smoker, you should talk with your dentist about the effects it may have and your options. For more information about dental implants or other ways you can replace lost teeth, contact an Austin dentist at BridgeView Dental at 512-347-8299.