It’s no surprise that smoking can greatly affect one’s health and wellness. However, patients in the Huntington Beach, CA area who are faced with placing dental implants may wonder, am I a candidate for dental implants if I smoke?
Dr. Jason Cellars at Sea Cliff Dental in Huntington Beach encourages patients who are smokers to drop the habit before pursuing permanent restorations such as dental implants. There is significant research that shows smokers who have dental work done may experience more issues than nonsmokers. In fact, smokers who have dental implants placed are twice as likely to experience failure. Dental implants are placed into the bone of the jaw. In most cases, their placement is successful. However, failure can mean patients need to consider other options such as bridges or dentures.
When it comes to smoking, patients who stop will reduce their risk of many health concerns. Not only does smoking increase the risk of oral cancer, but it can also contribute to a variety of other issues throughout the body, specifically in the lungs. While some smokers may have successful implants, others may have more issues which can lead to added cost, time, and energy.
Patients who are serious about having dental implants placed but are currently smokers are encouraged to start smoking cessation programs. This should be done prior to placing dental implants or having any special dental work performed. Once the smile and the body is back to a healthy state after smoking has stopped, dentists and patients will see better results with their treatment once they have taken on a more healthy, active lifestyle.
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and your candidacy for placement, we encourage you to contact the team at Sea Cliff Dental. Dr. Jason Cellars and his team work closely with patients to evaluate them and decide what tooth replacement options are right for their smile. Call (714) 848-4247 to schedule a consultation appointment and visit the practice located at 18652 Florida Street, #300 in Huntington Beach, California.
