If you are weighing up smoking and dental implants, the short answer is that you can often still have treatment, but smoking raises the risk of problems. This guide explains how much the risk rises, what it means for the bone around an implant, and what we know about vaping. It also covers when to stop and where to find free NHS help. We write for UK smokers and vapers, and we aim to inform, not to judge.
How smoking affects dental implants
A dental implant is a small titanium post that sits in your jawbone and holds a crown or bridge. For it to work, the bone must heal firmly around it, and the gum must stay healthy for years. Smoking and dental implants are a poor match on both counts, according to the research.
A large review pooled data on 35,511 implants in smokers and 114,597 in non-smokers1. It found a clearly higher failure risk in smokers, in both the upper and the lower jaw1. In addition, smokers lost slightly more bone around their implants over time1.
However, this does not mean every implant in a smoker will fail. Most still work. Instead, smoking tips the odds against you, and that is worth knowing before you commit time and money to treatment.
How much does smoking raise the risk for dental implants?
Studies on smoking and dental implants often use an odds ratio. An odds ratio of 2 means roughly twice the odds of the problem compared with non-smokers. It is not the same as your personal chance of failure, which depends on many things.
In a 2024 review of early failures, the odds of losing an implant before it settled in were 2.00 times higher per smoker2. The authors describe this as a 100% higher risk2. The effect was also stronger in the upper jaw than in the lower jaw in the few studies that compared them2.
| Review | What it measured | Main finding in smokers |
|---|---|---|
| Mustapha et al., 20211 | Implant failure and bone loss | Odds ratio 2.402 for failure; 0.58 mm more bone loss |
| Fan et al., 20242 | Early implant failure | Odds ratio 2.00 per patient (95% CI 1.43 to 2.80) |
| Naseri et al., 20203 | Number of cigarettes a day | Risk rose with more cigarettes; relative risk 4 per patient above 20 a day |
| Calciolari et al., 20264 | Survival, bone loss, gum problems | Lower survival; about 0.64 mm more bone loss |
So the reviews on smoking and dental implants agree on direction, even though the exact numbers differ. That is normal, because each review pools different studies and patients.
Bone loss and peri-implantitis in smokers
Peri-implantitis is gum disease around an implant. The gum becomes inflamed, and the bone that holds the implant slowly wears away5. Left alone, it can threaten the implant.
A 2026 review found about 0.64 mm more bone loss around implants in cigarette smokers4. Most of the studies it included also reported more peri-implantitis in smokers4. That sounds small, but bone is the foundation of an implant, so every millimetre counts.
Even so, the picture is not fully settled. An earlier World Workshop review called the smoking data for peri-implantitis inconclusive5. By contrast, it found strong evidence for three other risks: a past history of gum disease, poor plaque control and missing regular check-ups5. As a result, good cleaning and routine reviews matter just as much as your smoking status.
Does it matter how much you smoke?
It seems so. A 2020 review looked at the number of cigarettes smoked each day3. The risk of implant failure rose as the daily number went up3.
For example, people smoking more than 20 a day had a relative risk of 4 per patient compared with non-smokers (95% CI 2.72 to 5.89)3. In plain words, heavy smokers faced about four times the risk in that analysis. Therefore, cutting down may help, although stopping altogether is the clearer goal.
Vaping, e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement
Many people switch to vaping to cut down. The NHS says vaping is not completely risk free, but it carries a small fraction of the risk of smoking12. Vapes do not make tar or carbon monoxide, although most e-liquids contain nicotine12.
For smoking and dental implants the evidence is fairly clear, but for vaping it is thin. One 2026 review found too little data to judge smoke-free products at all4. Two other reviews disagree with each other:
- A network analysis of 39 studies found no significant difference in bone loss between e-cigarette users and non-smokers, though vapers did slightly worse on many measures6.
- A smaller analysis of seven studies linked vaping with deeper gum pockets and more bone loss around implants7.
So vaping may be less harmful than smoking, but no one can yet say it is safe for implants. Similarly, we found no reliable studies on nicotine patches, gum or lozenges and implant healing. If you use any of them, ask your dentist how to plan around it.
When to stop smoking before dental implants
There is no single rule on smoking and dental implants that every clinic follows. For example, one NHS hospital asks smokers to stop at least six months before implant treatment starts9. It also notes that smokers have a much greater failure rate9.
Evidence from general surgery points the same way. In one review, stopping before an operation cut complications, and each extra week of stopping added to the benefit8. Also, stopping for at least four weeks worked better than shorter breaks8. That review did not study implants, so treat it as a helpful pointer rather than proof.
After surgery, your dentist will advise how long to avoid smoking and vaping while the site heals. Follow that advice closely, because the early weeks are when implants are most at risk.
Can you have dental implants if you smoke?
Often, yes. A 2026 review states that smoking is not an absolute bar to implant treatment4. However, the same authors say that support to stop smoking should always form part of the treatment plan4.
In practice, your dentist weighs smoking alongside your bone, gum health, cleaning and general health. They may suggest a quit period, extra checks or a different option. Your final plan is confirmed only after an in-person examination.
Free help to quit smoking in the UK
You do not have to quit alone. Local NHS stop smoking services are free and can improve your chances of stopping for good11. They offer advice and support in the first months, plus nicotine replacement and medicines such as varenicline11.
- Ask your GP or pharmacist to refer you, or contact your local service directly11.
- In England, you can call the helpline on 0300 123 1044; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own services11.
- Try the free NHS Quit Smoking app to track your progress10.
- Aim for 28 days smoke free, because the NHS says you are then 5 times more likely to quit for good10.
The NHS also lists vapes as a quit aid for smokers10. Even so, if you plan implants, tell your dentist which aid you choose.
Smoking and dental implants: planning treatment in Turkey
If you plan smoking and dental implants around a trip to Istanbul, honesty and timing matter most. First, list smoking, vaping and nicotine use on your medical history before any online assessment. That way your dentist in Turkey can give advice that fits you.
Next, plan your quit date well ahead of the trip. That way, you can use NHS support at home first and be settled before surgery.
Finally, think about aftercare when you are back in the UK. One NHS hospital advises seeing a dentist or hygienist every three to six months to check implants9. It also stresses that careful cleaning is critical9. So book those visits early, and stay off cigarettes while the implant heals.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Most implants in smokers still work. However, large reviews show roughly twice the odds of failure in smokers compared with non-smokers, and more bone loss around the implant over time.
It depends on your dentist and your health. One NHS hospital asks smokers to stop at least six months before treatment. Research from general surgery also suggests that the longer you stop beforehand, the fewer complications you tend to have.
No one can say yet. The NHS says vaping carries a small fraction of the risk of smoking, but studies on vaping and implants are few and disagree. So tell your dentist if you vape and follow their advice.
We found no reliable studies on nicotine replacement and implant healing. The NHS lists nicotine replacement as a quit aid, so ask your dentist how to fit it into your treatment plan.
Often, yes, because smoking is not an absolute bar to implants. Your dentist will assess your bone, gums and general health, advise on stopping, and confirm your plan only after an in-person examination.
Dr. Barış Çelik, Oral Surgeon
Handles complex extractions, bone grafting and sinus lifts ahead of implant treatment.
View Dr. Barış Çelik's profileDr. Can Öztürk, Periodontist
Treats gum disease and makes sure implants have healthy tissue around them for life.
View Dr. Can Öztürk's profileSources
- Mustapha AD, Salame Z, Chrcanovic BR. Smoking and dental implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicina (Kaunas), 2021.
- Fan YY, Li S, Cai YJ, et al. Smoking in relation to early dental implant failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 2024.
- Naseri R, Yaghini J, Feizi A. Levels of smoking and dental implants failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2020.
- Calciolari E, Corbella S, Dourou M, et al. Tobacco smoking and smoke-free products as risk factors for dental implants: a systematic review. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2026.
- Schwarz F, Derks J, Monje A, Wang HL. Peri-implantitis. Journal of Periodontology, 2018.
- Vámos O, Komora P, Gede N, et al. The effect of nicotine-containing products on peri-implant tissues: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 2024.
- Guney Z, Altingoz SM, Has H, et al. The impact of electronic cigarettes on peri-implant health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 2024.
- Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Medicine, 2011.
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dental implants in restorative dentistry (patient information).
- NHS Better Health. Quit smoking.
- NHS. NHS stop smoking services help you quit.
- NHS. Using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.
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