Are you suffering from gum disease that you can’t seem to get over? Have you noticed an increase in tooth decay and tooth loss? If you’re a smoker, your tobacco products may be a huge contributor to these conditions.
One of the more effective ways to deal with tooth decay and eventual loss is to resort to the all on-x-dental implants recommended by local prosthodontists. With this in mind, you may be wondering how your smoking will affect your new implants. Keep reading to find out.
What is an All-on-X Dental Implant?
If your gums, bones, and overall oral health is in reasonably good condition, your prosthodontist will more than likely recommend an all-on-x dental implant. Typically, this process involves implanting between four and eight titanium posts into strategic places in your mouth arch. A plate of crowns and bridges are then placed over the posts, which then fills the gaps between the posts. The goal here is to avoid having to replace each tooth individually.
Most people may receive an all-on-4 procedure that involves four posts. However, a more damaged mouth may require more titanium posts, hence the “x” reference. There will always be an even number of posts to ensure that the plates have adequate balance and support.
Titanium is usually the preferred material of choice for the posts because it’s well known for its strength and general biocompatibility with existing tissue and bone. Using this material also provides a better chance at long-term success.
Smoking Affects Your Teeth More Than You Think
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for your overall health. However, not everyone realises that this habit can harm oral hygiene and new dental implants. If you’re planning an all-on-x dental implant, it’s essential to be aware of the ways that your habit may impact the healing and long-term success of the procedure.
Delays in Healing after Implantation
There’s a significant amount of healing that needs to take place once the all-on-x procedure has been completed. The chemicals in tobacco products can negatively affect this process by constricting the blood vessels, which in turn reduces blood flow to the gums.
When this happens, it becomes difficult for periodontal tissues to heal and regenerate. You will then find your gums bleeding for longer and not closing up around your implants.
Can Increase Infection Risk
When your gums and implant areas are continuously bleeding and not closing up as they should, the risk of infection increases. While postoperative infections at the implant site can also occur for other reasons, smoking is the number one cause. Depending on the severity of the infections, the probability of implant failure increases.
Often Leads to Implant Failure
Implant failure refers to the process when an implant doesn’t properly integrate with the jawbone. In some instances, smoking causes the bone structure to weaken, slowing down the osseointegration process.
Ultimately, your implants will become loose, infected and can eventually break. In this instance, you will have difficulty chewing, experience gum recession, and in severe cases, the implants will have to be removed.
Increases the Likelihood of Gum Disease
Smoking in general weakens your immune system, which means it’s harder to fight off bacterial infections such as periodontitis, which develops in the gums. Nicotine also reduces blood flow to the gums, instantly slowing down the healing process. Once this happens, there will eventually be less bone available to ensure safe and effective implant attachment.
Stains Your New Teeth
Once your new teeth have settled and healed, the last thing you will want is for them to become stained and ruined. It’s essential to keep in mind that nicotine and tar in tobacco smoke settle on the outer enamel layer of your teeth and eventually cause brown or yellow discolouration. Smoking can also increase the build-up of plaque on your teeth.
Ensure Your Habit Doesn’t Ruin Your New Teeth
Ideally, your prosthodontist will recommend that you stop smoking altogether. However, if you don’t see yourself being able to do this, consider these tips to ensure your implants have the best chance of healing quickly and safely:
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before your initial implant procedure. Your prosthodontist may increase this to as much as one month before, depending on the overall condition of your bone density and gum health.
- Don’t resume smoking until your prosthodontist gives you the all clear that your implants have healed and settled.
- Speak to your prosthodontist about nicotine replacement options that won’t affect your healing process.
- Drink a lot of water and juices to wash off nicotine residue from your teeth.
- Tweak your oral hygiene to include products designed for smokers.
- Avoid situations that encourage you to smoke.
Final Thought
All-on-x dental implants are an effective way to help you regain functionality in your mouth. If maintained correctly, your dental implants can last a lifetime. One of the easiest ways to make general maintenance easier is to ditch your tobacco products. Not only will your smile continue to look amazing, but your overall health will also improve!