“No matter how advanced the technique is, if the biological environment is compromised, the implant can fail from the first minute,” explains Dr. Josué Soutullo, specialist in immediate dental implantology and director of Nou Art Dental (Valencia).

Smoking or vaping doesn't just affect the lungs. It also hinders healing, reduces oxygen, alters the oral microbiome, and increases the risk of infections such as peri-implantitis: a chronic inflammation that can cause implant failure even years later. "Vapers don't contain tar, but they do contain heavy metals and nicotine. And that, in implantology, also plays against it," notes Dr. Soutullo.

Questions about the impact of tobacco and vaping on implants.

• Smoking can increase the risk of implant failure by up to 40%, according to SEPA and the Journal of Periodontology.
• Vaping reduces saliva, alters vascularization, and complicates implant integration (Tobacco Induced Diseases, 2023).
• El 48% of young people between 14 and 18 years old have already tried vaping in Spain (ESTUDES 2023 Survey).
• Peri-implantitis affects 1 in 4 patients with implants, with tobacco being its main trigger.

"Spain is one of the European countries with the highest rate of adolescent vaping... and the lowest awareness of oral health," Dr. Soutullo points out.

Immediate implants allow the damaged tooth to be removed and a temporary prosthesis to be placed in a single session. It's fast, effective, and minimally invasive. But it's not always feasible for people who smoke or vape. "It's like building on unstable ground. You can use the best materials, but if the foundation isn't healthy, the risk skyrockets," explains Dr. Soutullo.

It's not about judging, but about making informed decisions. For patients who are getting a dental implant this summer, these simple steps can make all the difference:

• Stop smoking or vaping at least 2 weeks before the procedure.
• Maintain abstinence for 8 to 12 weeks afterward.
• Strengthen oral hygiene and attend more frequent checkups.

“A single decision: quitting smoking three weeks beforehand, can make the difference between surgical success or failure,” he points out.

“A cigarette costs five minutes. A failed implant can cost you months, money, and confidence,” Soutullo summarizes. “It's not about prohibiting anything. It's about choosing. And this summer, you can decide: smoke… or smile,” concludes Dr. Soutullo.

Source: https://www.eldentistamoderno.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5361502/tabaco-vapeo-e-implantes-combinacion-no-encaja