At Hybridge, we understand that some patients who need full arch restorations are long-time smokers. While dental implants themselves are designed to last a lifetime, smoking can significantly undermine their success. A study from the University of Murcia found that non-smokers had an implant failure rate of only 1.4%, while for smokers, that number surged to over 15%.
That said, if you’re a smoker considering dental implants, you can still enjoy the many benefits that implants provide. It is important to understand how smoking or vaping can increase the risk of complications and potentially compromise your long-term investment. We always recommend minimizing risk, especially during the healing process, to help improve outcomes and support a healthy, long-lasting result.
Yes, smoking can significantly hinder the healing process after dental implant surgery. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and limiting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. This slows healing and interferes with the implant’s ability to properly fuse with your jawbone, increasing the risk of implant failure. To give your implant the best chance of long-term success, it is highly recommended to avoid smoking during the initial 72-hour healing window after surgery. We also advise refraining from smoking for the two weeks before surgery and for several months afterward to support optimal healing.
The introduction of harmful chemicals into your mouth through smoking makes it more difficult for implants to integrate with your jawbone and significantly prolongs the healing process. Additionally, smoking increases your chances of developing gum disease, gum recession, and bone loss over the long term—all of which threaten the stability and longevity of an implant.
When gum disease develops around an implant, it is called “peri-implantitis,” a bacterial infection and inflammation that causes progressive damage to the gum and bone tissue surrounding and supporting an implant. Smoking can reduce saliva flow and limit the body’s natural defenses, making it harder to manage infection around the implants. Additionally, smoking can mask the symptoms of peri-implantitis, delaying diagnosis and treatment until the damage becomes irreversible.
Tooth extraction is often a necessary step in preparing for the placement of a dental implant. Smoking after a tooth extraction significantly increases the risk of developing a painful complication known as “dry socket.” Dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot that normally forms in the empty socket fails to develop, becomes dislodged, or dissolves prematurely. This leaves the underlying bone and nerves exposed, resulting in delayed healing and intense pain.
Two aspects of smoking contribute to dry socket. First, the suction created when inhaling on a cigarette or vape can dislodge the clot. Second, the chemicals in tobacco and vaping products can irritate the extraction site and impede clot formation. Using gauze does not prevent these effects and may even increase the risk of infection due to potential contamination.
After surgery, your mouth needs time to heal and is especially vulnerable to infection. Smoking introduces chemicals, such as nicotine, that weaken the immune system, making it easier for bacteria to accumulate and cause infections. While the risk is greatest during the initial healing phase, smokers maintain a higher risk of implant-related infections throughout the implant’s lifespan compared to non-smokers.
Smoking introduces a wide range of chemicals into your mouth, many of which act as toxic irritants. When you inhale, these harmful substances come into direct contact with the open, healing extraction site, irritating the exposed tissues. This can lead to increased swelling, tenderness, and inflammation, significantly prolonging recovery time and intensifying discomfort.
Is Vaping or Marijuana With Dental Implants Just as Bad?
Smoking marijuana or using e-cigarettes can be just as harmful to dental implants as smoking traditional cigarettes. Both introduce harmful chemicals that can compromise the longevity and stability of an implant. Marijuana use can reduce bone density in the jaw, making it harder for implants to securely integrate with the bone. Meanwhile, e-cigarettes share many of the same risks as traditional cigarettes because they contain nicotine and other toxic substances that can damage gum tissue and impair healing around the implant. Chewing or “smokeless” tobacco also harms the gums and increases the risk of peri-implantitis.
Any habit that introduces nicotine or chemicals into the mouth can jeopardize the success of dental implants. However, with careful dental maintenance and follow-up care, smokers can still experience success. We do suggest quitting smoking is the best way to protect your investment in stable, strong, implant-supported teeth for many years to come. If you plan to get dental implants and continue to smoke, it is essential to follow all care instructions from your Hybridge dentist closely. This includes proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as attending twice-yearly visits for checkups and cleanings to maintain implant health.
If you have any questions about smoking with dental implants or after tooth extraction, please do not hesitate to consult with a Hybridge doctor at one of our two Hybridge Implants & Smile Restoration locations in Western New York.
