Effect of smoking over one pack daily on implant healing and health: A cohort study

Heavy smoking is a well-known risk factor for poor dental health, yet its effects on dental implants are less frequently examined. This study investigated how heavy smoking (more than 20 cigarettes daily for at least 5 years) impacts the success of dental implants. We monitored 29 patients, including both heavy smokers and non-smokers, over 15 months after implant placement and restoration. We evaluated bone loss, implant stability, and success rates. Our results showed that heavy smokers experienced significantly more bone loss-twice as much as non-smokers-along with slightly reduced implant stability and survival. These adverse outcomes likely relate to smoking's negative effects on bone healing and immune function. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing smoking before implant procedures and suggest that quitting smoking could greatly improve long-term outcomes. Further research is needed to develop strategies for mitigating the risks of smoking in implant dentistry.