Yes, you can get dental implants if you smoke, but smoking roughly doubles the risk of implant failure and significantly increases the risk of peri-implantitis, the gum and bone infection that is the leading cause of long-term implant loss. Smoking is not treated as an absolute reason to refuse implant treatment, but it is one of the most important risk factors a dentist will discuss with you before planning surgery, because it affects healing, bone integration, and long-term stability.
Key takeaways
- Implant failure rates are around 6 to 10 per cent in smokers compared to roughly 3 per cent in non-smokers, depending on the study.
- Smokers have around three to four times the risk of developing peri-implantitis, the infection that causes most late implant failures.
- Smoking increases the rate of bone loss around an implant over time, even in implants that do not fail outright.
- Smoking is not an automatic disqualifier for treatment, but most dentists will recommend a quit plan or reduction strategy around the time of surgery.
- The window around surgery and initial healing is the highest-risk period, so even a temporary pause in smoking meaningfully improves outcomes.
How smoking affects implant success
Implants succeed by fusing directly to the surrounding jawbone in a process called osseointegration, and by maintaining healthy gum tissue around the implant afterwards. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to healing tissue at exactly the time it is needed most, in the weeks following surgery. Smoking also alters the composition of oral bacteria and impairs the immune response in the gum tissue, both of which make peri-implantitis more likely to develop and harder for the body to control once it starts. The combined effect shows up clearly in the research: one long-term study following implants for ten years found survival rates in smokers ranging from around 65 to 97 per cent, compared with 83 to 99 per cent in non-smokers, a meaningful gap either way you look at it.
What the numbers actually mean
| Outcome | Smokers | Non-smokers |
|---|---|---|
| Implant failure rate | Approximately 6 to 10 per cent | Approximately 3 per cent |
| Peri-implantitis risk | Roughly 3 to 4 times higher | Baseline risk |
| Annual bone loss around the implant | Increased by roughly 0.16 mm per year on average | Slower, more stable bone levels |
| 10-year survival (long-term study) | Around 65 to 97 per cent | Around 83 to 99 per cent |
The ranges are wide because outcomes also depend heavily on how much someone smokes, overall gum health, how well the implant site was planned, and how consistently follow-up maintenance is kept up. A light smoker with excellent oral hygiene and regular reviews carries a very different risk profile to a heavy smoker with a history of gum disease.
Does a history of gum disease make it worse?
Yes, and the combination of the two is more significant than either factor alone. A history of treated periodontitis together with ongoing smoking is associated with a higher combined risk of implant failure and bone loss than either factor by itself, a topic covered in more depth in our guide to implants and gum disease. This is one of the reasons a thorough gum health assessment, and treatment of any active gum disease, is a standard part of implant planning regardless of smoking status, but becomes even more important for smokers.
What actually helps if you smoke and want an implant
- Quitting entirely before treatment gives the biggest improvement in healing and long-term outcomes, and even a temporary pause of a few weeks either side of surgery meaningfully reduces early complications.
- Reducing frequency, if quitting completely is not realistic, still lowers risk compared with continuing at the same level.
- Getting active gum disease treated first, since combining smoking with untreated periodontitis carries the highest combined risk.
- Committing to regular maintenance visits after the implant is placed, since peri-implantitis is far more treatable when caught early, and understanding the parts of an implant that need cleaning helps that maintenance routine make sense.
- Being upfront with your dentist about smoking habits, including vaping, so the treatment plan and follow-up schedule can be adjusted accordingly.
What about vaping and other nicotine products?
Nicotine itself, not just the act of smoking combustible cigarettes, is understood to be a contributing factor to reduced blood flow and delayed healing. Research specifically on smoke-free nicotine products and implants is still more limited than the long-established smoking literature, but the working assumption in dentistry is that any nicotine exposure around the surgical and healing period carries some degree of added risk, and this should be discussed openly with your dentist regardless of the delivery method. It is a separate issue from surface changes such as whether implants stain or discolour, which relates to the crown material rather than the healing process.
Frequently asked questions
Will a dentist refuse to place an implant if I smoke?
Smoking is not usually treated as an absolute contraindication, but your dentist will discuss the increased risk, may recommend a quit or reduction plan, and will factor it into the treatment and maintenance plan.
How long before implant surgery should I stop smoking?
There is no single agreed timeframe, but stopping as far in advance as possible, and ideally continuing through the initial healing period of several weeks, gives the most benefit. Even a short pause around surgery helps.
Does smoking after the implant has healed still matter?
Yes. Ongoing smoking continues to increase the risk of peri-implantitis and bone loss over the years the implant is in place, not just during the initial healing window.
Can vaping cause the same problems as smoking for implants?
Nicotine from any source is thought to reduce blood flow and affect healing, so vaping is generally considered a risk factor too, even though the research base is smaller than for cigarette smoking.
Is peri-implantitis treatable if I already smoke and have an implant?
Yes, particularly if caught early through regular maintenance visits. Treatment options range from deep cleaning around the implant to more involved surgical treatment for advanced cases.
Does one implant carry the same risk as a full set?
The percentage risk per implant is similar, but more implants mean more sites where failure or peri-implantitis could occur, which is one reason smoking status is discussed carefully for larger or multiple-implant cases.
Booking with Lumi Dental
If you smoke and are considering implants, a straightforward conversation about your specific risk profile and what can be done to improve your odds is the best starting point. The Lumi Dental team offers a complimentary implant consultation, and you can see current treatment offers on our deals page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for an individual dental assessment.
