During an initial consultation for dental implants, your dentist may answer common questions like “What are dental implants?” and let you know if they’re the right solution for you. Your dentist may also ask about your medical history, any medications you’re currently on, and your smoking and drinking habits. Providing accurate information about your current and past health, as well as your lifestyle, is important, because these factors have a bearing on your dental implant procedure. Untreated health conditions and smoking may result in implant failure, which can cause severe pain and swelling. Though most implant surgeries are successful, learning about implant failure from smoking or health conditions can help you understand the process better.
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What is Implant Failure?
Early implant failure is when the implant is rejected in the healing stage. Late failures can occur months or even years after the implant is placed.
For a dental implant to be successful, the titanium root must properly integrate with healthy jawbone tissue. This biological healing process can be negatively impacted by local factors, resulting in implant failure. Failed osseointegration may leave the implant loose and wobbly. In some cases, it may fall out altogether.
Does Smoking Cause Implant Failure?
Studies show that smoking can increase a patient’s risk of implant failure. Smokers face higher risks of infection after implant surgery and may heal slower than non-smokers. Smokers are also more likely to experience peri-implantitis, which is an inflammatory condition that can damage the soft and hard tissues around a dental implant. Some theories suggest that smoking negatively impacts blood flow to the jawbone and oral, which can adversely affect implant healing.1
This isn’t necessarily to say that implants will always fail if the patient smokes. Results can vary based on an individual’s overall health and lifestyle. Some dentists may be willing to perform implant surgery on smokers. However, frequent smoking may certainly worsen the odds of implant failure.
Can Health Conditions Affect Implant Success?
Some medical conditions do hurt your odds of implant success.
- Diabetes and prediabetes: These conditions are linked to an increased risk of gum disease, which can make it harder to get implants. Diabetes can also affect blood circulation and make it harder for your jaw and gums to heal after surgery. Lastly, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of infection after surgery, which is dangerous because the condition slows down the body’s ability to fight infections. Note that the risks are highest for people with uncontrolled diabetes.2
- Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases may cause your immune system to attack your own body’s tissues. This happens because your immune system cannot distinguish between foreign cells and your body’s own healthy cells. Implants may cause an autoimmune reaction in patients with these diseases. These patients may experience inflammation, pain, and bone loss over time. That said, every individual is different, and dentists generally evaluate eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Some autoimmune patients may get dental implants without any complications.3
- Heart disease: Cardiovascular disease may also affect the chances of implant success. Patients may be more prone to infections like bacterial endocarditis. This infection may develop when you experience any kind of bleeding in the mouth. Bacteria in tooth plaque can enter the bloodstream and reach the heart, forming pockets in its inner lining. Patients with heart disease may be able to get dental implants safely, but it’s important to disclose your condition to your dentist and discuss implants with your cardiologist.4,5
- Other conditions: Implant failure may also be linked to gum disease, metal allergies, certain nutritional deficiencies, sleep disorders and related tooth grinding, and dry mouth.
What to Consider Before Getting Dental Implants
If you smoke or drink often or deal with health concerns that may affect implant success, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Medical and dental treatments are not one-size-fits-all. Outcomes and procedures vary from person to person. People with specific health concerns can discuss getting implants with both their medical care provider and their dentist for the most personalized recommendations.
- Don’t automatically consider yourself ineligible for dental implants in Spokane if you have diabetes, heart disease, or an autoimmune condition. Your oral surgeon and healthcare provider may be able to create a suitable treatment plan to ensure you can get the dental implants you need.
- Remember that dental implants have a very high success rate. Some research demonstrates a success rate of 95%. Most people who get dental implants will enjoy a successful dental implant placement and all the benefits that come with it.
- Maryland Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants – Dental Implants and Smoking: Everything You Need to Know
- Harmony Dental Care – How Does Diabetes Affect Dental Implant Treatment?
- Hiossen – Dental Implant Failure Rate With Autoimmune Diseases
- Hills Family Dental Centre – Health Conditions and Their Impact on Dental Implant Outcome
- Afroz Burges D.D.S – Can I Get Dental Implants with Heart Disease?
