If I smoke I can't have Dental Implants. Is this true?
Not necessarily. Dental implants are a possible option for smokers, but smoking makes them more likely to fail. If you smoke and need implants, there are some important things to be aware of.
How smoking affects dental implants
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and slows the rate at which bone heals and grows throughout the body, including the jaw. That matters because an implant relies on the bone bonding firmly to it.
- Placing implants can be more complicated.
- Healing after surgery is slower, and the risk of infection is higher.
- Once in place, implants are more likely to fail or to have a shorter lifespan.
- Bone grafting, which is sometimes needed before implants, is less predictable in smokers.
The risks are generally greater the more you smoke, so heavy smokers are at the highest risk.
Can I still have implants if I smoke?
What matters most is whether your gums and bone are healthy and strong enough to support an implant. We’ll assess you and explain your options and risks honestly, including alternatives such as a bridge or denture if they would suit you better.
Please be completely open with us about how much you smoke. It helps us give you realistic advice and plan treatment safely.
Stopping or cutting down helps
Stopping smoking — or at least cutting down — before and after implant surgery improves healing and gives your implant a better long-term outlook. If you would like help to stop, your GP, pharmacist or local NHS stop-smoking service can support you.
What our patients say
I've had several treatments at The Dentist, Implants, Veneers, Emergency Centre, including wisdom tooth extraction, crowns, and fillings, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care I've received. The team is professional, caring, and ensures every visit is as comfortable as possible. The dentist took great care to make sure I …
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I've had several treatments at The Dentist, Implants, Veneers, Emergency Centre, including wisdom tooth extraction, crowns, and fillings, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care I've received. The team is professional, caring, and ensures every visit is as comfortable as possible. The dentist took great care to make sure I felt at ease during each procedure, and the results have always been excellent. Whether it's routine dental work or something more complex, I highly recommend trying this place. They truly go above and beyond to provide exceptional service
Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly, and then continued with pain free dental implants which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments and communication from them is excellent and …
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Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly, and then continued with pain free dental implants which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments and communication from them is excellent and professional. They also offer a great teeth whitening service. I seriously can't stop smiling, I am so happy with my treatment and would highly recommend the Dentist to anyone and in particular to nervous patients like myself.
Thank you Rikki and Ana, you 100% met my expectations :)
On Christmas day I broke my front tooth,searched around for a good dentist to give me two implant which I desperately needed. Went to this dentist and they were the only people with with CT scanner. Had my consultation here and scan and then went ahead with the implants.they seemed most professional and I can only say the job th…
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On Christmas day I broke my front tooth,searched around for a good dentist to give me two implant which I desperately needed. Went to this dentist and they were the only people with with CT scanner. Had my consultation here and scan and then went ahead with the implants.they seemed most professional and I can only say the job that is done is absolutely excellent 👌 and I will be using Dr Rikki Dhody and his team again. 💯 percent recommend them.
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