Dental implants are a top choice for replacing missing teeth, offering exceptional stability and a natural look. But for smokers and vapers in Riverside, CA, there’s an important factor to consider: tobacco and nicotine use can seriously interfere with implant success. While most people know that smoking harms overall health, fewer understand the specific risks it poses to oral surgery outcomes—especially dental implants.
At California Dental Group, we’re proud to help Riverside patients make educated decisions about their oral health. That includes discussing how lifestyle habits like smoking and vaping can affect healing and the long-term stability of dental implants.
The Critical Healing Window After Implant Surgery
Once a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, your body begins the healing process known as osseointegration. During this time, the bone must fuse with the titanium post to create a strong anchor for your future crown or bridge.
But for this fusion to happen successfully, your body needs adequate blood flow, oxygen, and a responsive immune system. Smoking disrupts all of these vital processes. The nicotine and chemicals in tobacco reduce circulation, impair the body’s ability to heal, and increase the risk of infection. Even vaping, often considered a “safer” alternative, introduces nicotine and inflammatory agents that can slow down healing and damage gum tissue.
Why Smokers in Riverside Face Higher Implant Failure Rates
Research has shown that smokers have significantly higher implant failure rates than non-smokers—some studies estimate double the failure risk. Smoking doesn’t just affect the healing period. Long term, it increases the chance of developing peri-implantitis, a serious gum infection that can lead to bone loss and implant failure.
Vaping may carry similar risks. Though the long-term effects are still being studied, early evidence links vaping to gum inflammation and impaired soft tissue healing, both of which can threaten the stability of dental implants.
Healthy Gums and Bone Matter More Than You Think
Your implants rely on strong, disease-free gum and bone tissue to stay stable. Unfortunately, both smoking and vaping make it harder to maintain healthy gums. Even patients who are in good oral health at the time of surgery may develop issues later if they continue using tobacco or nicotine products. In Riverside, where dry heat and environmental factors already contribute to oral dryness, adding smoking or vaping into the mix can make matters worse.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Investment
If you’re a smoker or vaper considering dental implants in Riverside, quitting—even temporarily—can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome. Studies show that stopping smoking just a few weeks before and after surgery can boost healing and reduce the risk of complications.
At California Dental Group, we understand how difficult it can be to quit. That’s why we offer compassionate support and can help connect you with local resources or coordinate care with your physician. Even cutting back and avoiding nicotine use for a short time around the procedure can make a meaningful difference.
In addition, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial. That means brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and keeping up with your regular cleanings. As a smoker, you may benefit from more frequent check-ups to catch early signs of gum disease or inflammation.
Schedule Your Implant Consultation in Riverside
Your smile—and your health—are worth protecting. If you’re considering dental implants and use tobacco or vape products, the team at California Dental Group is here to help. We offer expert guidance, advanced care, and customized treatment plans to give you the best possible chance of success.
Call California Dental Group today at 800-407-0161 to schedule your dental implant consultation in Riverside, CA. Let us help you take the next step toward a healthier, more confident smile—no matter where you’re starting from.
