The short answer is yes, people who smoke can get dental implants. However, there is a longer and more involved answer. A review of the research literature in the Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry concludes that although smoking is not an absolute contraindication, it is a risk factor for implant failure.
In other words, smoking alone isn’t enough to completely rule out getting an implant, but people who smoke are likely to have more problems with their implant or implants. If you smoke and are looking to get one or more dental implants, your dentist is likely going to talk you through the risks and encourage you to stop smoking or cut back significantly, especially during the healing process, when the risk of failure is highest.
The research review notes that “various studies report a failure rate of implants in smokers compared to nonsmokers, ranging from 6.5% to 20%.”
If you’re interested in getting an implant, your dentist will do a complete assessment of all relevant factors, including:
- Overall oral health
- General health status
- Smoking habits
- Jawbone health
- Implant location
If you are a smoker and are thinking about getting an implant, consider giving us a call at All in the Family Dental. We’d be happy to talk through these issues with you and set you up with a consultation.