Serving areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
You don’t need us to tell you that smoking is bad for your health. If you are living with tooth loss and considering a dental implant to restore your smile, then we have another reason for you to stop smoking… it is all but a necessity before work can proceed on an implant procedure. Keep reading as, today on the blog, we explain why you should stop smoking if you want a dental implant in Okemos.
How does a dental implant work?
An implant represents the finest method of tooth replacement that currently is available in the field of restorative dentistry. The key component is the implant screw itself; made of an extremely durable metal like titanium, the screw is inserted surgically into the jawbone where the lost tooth previously resided in the mouth. Over the next several months, as you heal from this surgery, the implant fuses with your jawbone, providing an extremely durable and stable anchor for your replacement tooth – and also stimulating the jawbone in a similar manner to the root of the now-missing tooth. After the healing process concludes, your implant is completed with a dental crown, with an abutment connecting those two components.
How does smoking interfere with the implant process?
During and after the surgical placement of the implant screw, being in sound overall health and having good blood flow are both important. Smoking restricts blood flow, shrinks blood vessels and impedes the overall healing process. Smoking also has a negative impact on the immune system. This can lead to slower healing and even result in total implant failure, which occurs when your body rejects the implant.
How does vaping affect the implant process?
Both smoking and vaping entail the consumption of nicotine, which has a negative effect on the proper healing of your mouth and gums from the placement of the implant screw. Vaping has its own host of possible consequences on your oral health, including burns on the gums or inside your cheeks, the thickening of skin cells or damage to the salivary glands. For these reasons, if you use nicotine in any form, you should cease this habit if you are interested in receiving a dental implant.
Stop smoking before your implant procedure
This is why Dr. Tenaglia recommends, if anyone is interested in receiving a dental implant to restore their smile, that they stop smoking even before any of the work begins. You should also refrain from smoking after the procedure, as the resumption of smoking still can lead to bone loss, and deterioration of the jawbone could lead to eventual implant failure.
Implant dentistry in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
Implant dentistry is one of the specialties of Dr. Christine Tenaglia, In more than a quarter century as a practicing dentist, she pursues continuing education in implant dentistry – among other disciplines – so that she continues to provide the highest possible level of care to her patients. To determine if a dental implant is right for you to restore your smile, schedule a consultation at Tenaglia Smiles today. Just call (517) 347-6733 or contact us online.
Benefits of Dental Implants
On top of maintaining your jaw bone, dental implants offer several benefits. They will help to prevent gum recession in the areas where you had missing teeth. Oftentimes, a bridge requires three teeth to be affected, whereas a dental implant is a single tooth replacement, so it is often cost-effective and helps to prevent multiple teeth from being prepared for crowns to support the missing tooth. Our dental implants in Okemos don’t use any types of adhesive, so you will be able to have confidence in your teeth when eating or speaking. They are also custom-matched to your tooth color so they blend in flawlessly with your smile.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
In order to ensure that your dental implant procedure will be successful, it is very important that we assess a few factors. Ideal candidates are in good overall health and need to have enough jaw bone to support the implant. It is also imperative that we address the health of your gum tissues and remedy any signs of periodontitis prior to placing dental implants. Dr. Tenaglia does a detailed exam and uses a CBCT (which takes a 3D-image of your head and neck) to guide her in proper implant placement.
Additionally, it is ideal for candidates to be non-smokers or at least be able to commit to not smoking for a time before and after treatment. If you are a smoker, that does not necessarily disqualify you from being a candidate for implants, so always ask Dr. Tenaglia first. first. If there are issues with your jaw bone or your sinuses, there are treatment options for both of those that can make you a candidate for dental implants.
Implant-Supported Bridges or Dentures
If you are missing all of your teeth or large sections of teeth, we can place a few implants, then secure your bridge or dentures to the implants. These are long-lasting options that can be a great solution for multiple missing teeth as they help prevent bone loss and are more reliable than adhesive-placed dentures.
Contact Our Okemos Office Today to Schedule Your Consultation
If you would like to discover if dental implants are right for you, now is the time to contact our office. You can reach us by calling (517) 940-8684. Dr. Tenaglia has been successfully and happily serving the Okemos community for over 25+ years and would love to help you with your teeth. Contact us today for more information about dental implants in Okemos!