My dentist said if I don’t quit smoiking that he won’t give me dental implants. Can he really do that? Isn’t it my body and my decision?
Chuck S. – West Virginia
Chuck,
If you wanted to hire a contractor to add a room to your house and insisted he use termite infested wood, wouldn’t he refuse? The wood would never hold up. The same principle applies when you’re a smoker with dental implants.
Even under ideal conditions, dental implants are a difficult procedure. When everything is done right, there can still be dental implant failure. A dentist would not want to start off at a disadvantage.
When you smoke, it affects the blood supply in your gums. This in turn makes healing more difficult, which could lead to your implants not taking.
While it is your body, your dentist is responsible for your procedure and wants to make sure it has the best chance of success.
If you want this dentist, then you’ll need to quit smoking. Otherwise, you can call around and find a dentist who is willing to do the procedure anyway. Just make sure you research that dentist and are sure he or she is truly qualified for such a difficult, advanced procedure.
This blog is brought to you by Boston Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Randall Burba.