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| Dr. Marc Salomone D.D.S |
The introduction of dental implants to dentistry revolutionized the way people treated lost teeth. They are preferred by many and have replaced dentures as they are more comfortable and appeal aesthetically. Dental implants are a blessing for many who are looking for a suitable replacement for their lost teeth.
Basically, the lost tooth is replaced by an implant which is made up of a material which closely resembles natural teeth.
A titanium screw is inserted in to the jaw bone to which it fuses (osseointegration). This titanium screw serves as an anchor point which supports the entire artificial tooth. The artificial tooth is coated with hydroxypatite which is also present in natural tooth.
Now, coming to the effects of smoking on dental implants.
BBC news reported the findings of a research done by dentists across Europe which studied the rejection of dental devices and procedures by patients. The study has found the smoking increases the probability of rejection of a dental implant by the human body. Although, rejection of a dental implant occurs in few cases, smoking increases this risk considerably. This finding is not completely new though. Many dentists have reported lower success rates of dental implants in smokers.
Let us now look at the reason for this failure. An ideal candidate for the implant procedure requires good healing and blood flow to make sure the gums heal properly. Smoking considerably affects the healing ability of the body and reduces the blood flow as well. Good blood flow is required for effective healing of the gum tissue. Due to this various factors, the likelihood for rejection of the implant increases.
It’s just not the implants that are affected by smoking. Other dental procedures such as tooth extraction and dental fillings (restorations were also effected).
Smoking also makes antibiotics and creams less effective before and during dental treatments. Some stats by ADA that support this claim in another study are: “32% of smokers needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed a major dental cleaning because of periodontal disease”.
Smoking also makes antibiotics and creams less effective before and during dental treatments. Some stats by ADA that support this claim in another study are: “32% of smokers needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed a major dental cleaning because of periodontal disease”.
The good part is that kicking this habit reduces these effects. The healing ability and blood flow slowly begins to return to normal levels and few studies have showed that normal levels can be regained after several years of quitting.
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