Talking about a smoking habit and whether it affects dental implant candidacy is something that we hear about regularly. It might be something you have some assumptions about (many patients figure they are simply out of the running for implants if they use any type of tobacco). The truth is, this isn’t a general question we can simply answer one way or the other. It’s nuanced! If you’d like to better understand how smoking may affect selecting implants and what it might mean for you, our Livonia, MI team would like to get you started on becoming more familiar with the information you need.
Questions and Answers
Question: Am I going to have to completely stop smoking if I want dental implants for myself? Sometimes I hear that this is the case. Other times, I hear that I can keep smoking.
Answer: You’re not going to have to quit smoking necessarily. You may hear that you should quit because, in addition to other problems that it may cause for your health, smoking makes it more likely that your implants are not going to be a successful journey for you. However, it’s not impossible to have implants and smoke. Figuring out your unique needs is best determined by seeing our team for a visit.
Question: Will I have to stop smoking at any point, then, if I want dental implants?
Answer: Yes, in preparation for dental implant surgery and for recovery, you will need to at the very least temporarily stop smoking. It is extremely important for successful surgery and for the healing process that you avoid all tobacco products.
Question: What can I do if I need help with quitting smoking? I’d like to stop, so that I’m a better candidate for dental implants and for other reasons but I’ve found it hard in the past.
Answer: Feel free to discuss your experience with our team and with your general practitioner. You may also find helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
Get To The Bottom Of Your Candidacy For Implants
If you are thinking that implants may be right for you but you’re not sure, come in to learn more! James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.