Can Smoking Disqualify Me From Getting Dental Implants?

When you have experienced tooth loss, you want to learn about tooth restoration options near Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Michaela Tozzi offers her patients dental implants to replace missing teeth. Tooth loss can make biting, chewing, and even speaking difficult. It can even make you feel self-conscious because your smile is flawed. She uses dental implants to restore function too. During a consultation at Michaela Tozzi, DMD, she will conduct a dental exam to determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants. She also will answer any questions you have about the dental implant procedure.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements. Dr. Tozzi must surgically place this post directly into your jawbone to provide a stable tooth replacement choice. These implants allow her patients in Las Vegas, NV to enjoy the benefits of restored oral health almost immediately after their placement. Implants are fixed, which means they cannot be removed. This makes them a long-term solution for tooth loss.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

The best candidate for dental implants near Las Vegas, NV is someone with:

One or more missing teeth
A speech issue that can be improved after teeth are replaced
A strong enough jawbone to withstand the surgical procedure needed

During a consultation with Dr. Tozzi, she will examine your teeth and gums to decide if you can successfully get dental implants for your oral health situation.

How do dental implants work?

There are three parts of the dental implant process:

Planning: During the planning phase, Dr. Tozzi takes digital X-rays to be able to see your jawbone clearly. If you have any bone loss as a result of your missing teeth, she may recommend bone grafting first.
Placement: Dental implants must be surgically placed into the jawbone. Dr. Tozzi uses advanced technology to make sure that the implant is put in the proper location. Osseointegration is a healing period where the implant must fuse with the jawbone before the final restoration can be placed.
Attachment: Once the implant and jawbone have healed properly, she will take impressions of the implant site to make sure that your implant is in the proper place. If it is, your custom-made crown or bridge is attached to the implant screw.

Smoking and dental implants

When it comes to dental implants, nicotine reduces blood flow in the mouth. This will slow down and can even prevent your mouth from healing after a dental implant procedure. When you inhale smoke from a cigarette, you burn the tissue inside your mouth. Even e-cigarettes are detrimental to your oral health as they have the same amount of nicotine and propylene glycol that gets into your system. This means that the dental implant success rate for a smoker is low. Dr. Tozzi recommends her patients quit smoking and improve their oral health before considering dental implants for the most successful outcome.

How to extend the life of your dental implant

These implants are designed to be a long-lasting tooth replacement option. They help keep your bone from deteriorating and are a long-term solution that cannot be removed. How well you care for your dental implant directly affects how long they last. The location of your implant also will affect how long it lasts. Implants in the back of the mouth experience more pressure from chewing than implants in the front.

Learn more about dental implants in Las Vegas

When you’re considering dental implants near Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Michaela Tozzi can examine your teeth, gums, and jaw to determine if you are a good candidate. When you are missing teeth, this can affect the way you chew, bite, and speak as well as improve your oral health. To schedule an in-person or online consultation to learn more about dental implants, call our dental office today.