Some patients with contraindications can be good candidates for dental implant surgery if they take precautions and are compliant with their dentist's recommendations. For example, those who smoke may still be able to get implants if they commit to a temporary cessation of the habit before and after surgery. If you vape and are interested in getting dental implants, you may wonder if this habit would preclude you from having surgery. Read on to learn more about this habit's effects and how to improve your success rates for implant placement.
Is Vaping as Bad as Smoking?
While e-cigarettes don't contain the contaminants found in tobacco smoke, many of them still contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. One study found that although cigarette smoke caused more adverse effects on osteoblasts (bone cells) than vaping products, vaping products still lowered the bone growth around dental implant materials. This study suggested that e-cigarette products could be contributors to dental implant complications or failure.
Why is Bone Growth Around Implants So Important?
Unlike restorations like dentures or bridges that have components above the gum line, dental implants contain components below the gum line. An implant contains a post, which imitates a tooth root and integrates with jaw bone tissue. It's important for these posts to integrate with jaw bone so that they can withstand chewing forces and secure the false tooth above the gum line. As the previous study mentioned, when people smoke or vape, it's harder for bone cells to grow around the implant. If the jaw bone doesn't grow around the implant, then the restoration could become infected or even fall out.
Can People Who Vape Still Get Implants?
Every patient is different, so only your dentist can tell you whether you can undergo implant surgery or not. Instead of traditional implants, your dentist might recommend mini-implants since they work in a similar manner but don't require deep placement within the bone. Ultimately, if you are a good candidate for implant surgery, your dentist may have you follow similar guidelines as patients who smoke. For instance, you may need to temporarily quit vaping a few weeks before and after surgery. Some patients may take this time as an opportunity to kick the habit altogether. Since nicotine and other vaping chemicals slow down healing processes, even a temporary break can be enough to help some people heal more effectively after surgery.
Your dentist will want you to stop vaping for a time after surgery to prevent the blood clot from being dislodged. Similar to a tooth extraction where you can't drink from a straw, you'll need to avoid sucking motions so that the blood clot and surgical area aren't disturbed. If you do plan on vaping after a temporary break, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent tartar buildup and to prevent implant failure in the future. Even using your e-cig or vaping pen on the opposite side of the mouth from your implant could help to improve your success rates.
Reach out to a dentist in your area today for more information on implant placement if you vape.
Share20 July 2021
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