Magon Station Dental Clinic_4. Why Smoking and Drinking Can Cause Implant Failure After Surgery

Hello.

So you don’t end up worrying more than necessary,

we are Magok Station Seoul Dia Dental Clinic, sharing only the information you need right now.

We already put together a realistic guide on

when and how to start brushing and rinsing

after implant surgery.

If you haven’t seen it yet, we recommend reviewing that first~^^

If you read the brushing and rinsing post first,

today’s talk about alcohol and smoking will make even more sense.

After implant surgery,

there is one promise that gets broken the most.

That is the promise to quit smoking and drinking!

But once you go home,

a few days later your body may seem fine,

and your mouth may seem better than expected...

so you start thinking,

“Wouldn’t it be okay to have just one?”

This is exactly where the fate of the implant is decided.

So today, after implant surgery,

we’ll explain why smoking and drinking should be avoided,

till when, and how much to be careful, using realistic guidelines.

Why smoking is dangerous for implants

Magon Station Dental Clinic_Implant osseointegration

Smoking reduces

blood flow to the gums

and interferes with circulation.

In simple terms,

oxygen and nutrients that should reach the wound

do not arrive as well. TT

But after implant surgery,

the most important process is osseointegration,

in which the gums heal and the bone and implant become firmly united as one,

and smoking interferes with this process.

So for people who smoke,

the recovery process can become more difficult.

Does that include e-cigarettes too?

Magon Station Dental Clinic_E-cigarette

“I only use e-cigarettes, is that really not allowed?”

We get this question a lot too.

It’s really frustrating, isn’t it? TT

To give you the answer first:

e-cigarettes are not allowed either.

There are two reasons.

First, e-cigarettes also contain nicotine.

Nicotine constricts blood vessels in the gums

and slows healing.

Second, the hot vapor from e-cigarettes and

its chemical components directly irritate the surgical site.

This is similar to continuously exposing a wound to warm steam and irritating substances.

So whether it is a regular cigarette or an e-cigarette,

How long do I need to avoid smoking?

Magon Station Dental Clinic_Quit smoking

The realistic guideline is this.

Stop smoking starting 1 week before surgery,

and after surgery, avoid it for at least 2 weeks, preferably 4 weeks.

This is the most important period when the implant

settles in place by bonding tightly with the bone and gums.

If you smoke during this time,

blood circulation worsens

and the gums become more sensitive,

so even if it looks fine on the outside,

the inside may not heal properly.

“I really have a hard time quitting... ”

Yes, yes~

We understand that feeling very well.^^

But for now~

please hold out just a little longer.

Those 4 weeks can change

how many years the implant lasts.

To be honest,

they can change whether it lasts 10 years or 20 years.^^

Why is alcohol not allowed?

Magon Station Dental Clinic_Blood vessel dilation caused by alcohol in alcohol

The alcohol in drinks

expands blood vessels, increases bleeding,

and worsens swelling and inflammation.

Alcohol on gums that are already heated up by surgery

is like pouring oil on a fire.

So if you drink,

bleeding may start again, swelling may get worse,

or the wound may not heal properly.

So when can I drink alcohol again?

Magon Station Dental Clinic_Quit drinking

Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days before surgery,

and for at least 2 weeks after surgery, preferably up to 4 weeks.

During this time, giving the gums

plenty of time to recover comfortably

is the better choice for long-term implant success.

With implants,

“just a little” does not work very well.

Taking a few weeks off now

can help you chew comfortably for years later.

Let’s summarize today’s discussion at once.

1. Smoking (both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes)

• Quit smoking starting 1 week before surgery

• Avoid smoking for at least 2 weeks after surgery, preferably 4 weeks

2. Alcohol

• Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days before surgery

• Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks after surgery, preferably 4 weeks

This period is the most important time for the implant

to properly bond with the gums and bone.

If alcohol and tobacco are introduced during this time,

even if everything looks fine on the outside,

the healing process inside may be disrupted.

So the conclusion is this.

Implant treatment

is not something that works well with “just a little.”

If you endure it well for a few weeks, you can chew comfortably for years to come.

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong

At Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong,

we consider not only placing the implant,

but also the process that helps it bond well,

to be important.

That is why even after surgery,

we provide guidance on each of these points one by one.

If anything is confusing, don’t worry about it alone.

Managing it together

is the easiest way to use an implant for a long time.

Just remembering these guidelines

can make a clear difference in the success rate of your implant.

[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgery and procedures. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so you should decide on surgery (procedure) only after sufficient consultation with a skilled medical professional. ]

[Seoul Dia Dental Clinic at Magok Station Implant Surgery Post-Procedure Precautions Series]

1. Key care right after implant surgery

2. Food after implant surgery

3. Brushing and rinsing after implant surgery

4. Drinking after implant surgery

5. Normal range of pain and swelling after implant surgery

6. Exercise after implant surgery

7. Sutures after implant surgery