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Smoking and Dental Implants

Dental implants visualization

It is no surprise to learn that smoking is bad for your health. You may know about its detrimental effects on your lungs and heart, but did you know that a nicotine habit is a major threat to your oral health too. While bad breath and yellow teeth are certainly consequences of smoking, it can also disqualify you from getting dental implants – unless you’re willing to stop.

Dental implants represent the gold standard solution in replacing missing teeth. They require the surgical placement of a titanium post that is inserted into the jaw bone. The success of a dental implant is largely based on the implant’s ability to heal and naturally fuse to the surrounding bone over time. This provides a strong and secure base for an implant restoration, such as a crown, bridge or overdenture.

To understand why smoking and a successful dental implant just can’t exist together, we must go back to the importance of healing after implant surgery. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that when you light up, you are restricting proper blood flow to all parts of your body, including your oral tissues and gums. Without adequate blood flow, your body has a hard time healing and repairing itself and your immune system may also be compromised. Therefore, this is a primary reason why patients must quit smoking before they undergo dental implant surgery and for a period of time afterwards. If the implant doesn’t heal properly, it does not form a stable “tooth root” and there is a high risk for dental implant failure.

Smoking can also mask the symptoms of gum disease. If gingivitis or more advanced stages of gum disease are present at the time you are seeking dental implants, you’ll have to put your tooth replacement on hold until your periodontal health is restored. Not only is it important to rid the mouth of infection before undergoing surgery, but untreated gum disease can eventually destroy the underlying bone. Without sufficient jaw bone density and height, a dental implant cannot be placed.

Dental implants are undoubtedly the best option to replace a missing tooth. However, they require a notable investment. If you smoke cigarettes, don’t jeopardize your restorative dentistry dollars by not kicking your habit before surgery. At Mitzi Morris, DMD, we want every patient to have the best chance of success in implants dentistry. Therefore, we are happy to work with you to help you find ways to overcome your nicotine addiction.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1295 Hembree Rd, Suite B202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1295 Hembree Rd, Suite B202
Roswell, GA 30076

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