Dental Implants · Suitability
Dental implants for diabetics and smokers
Toothi London, Edgware · Last reviewed 25 October 2026
Plenty of people with well-controlled diabetes, and plenty of smokers, can have dental implants. Both do raise the risk of slow healing and implant problems. Whether you’re suitable is decided at a free assessment at Toothi in Edgware, where a single implant including the crown is £1,995. We look at your general health, your gums and your bone, and tell you plainly what we think. We won’t offer a guarantee.
Diabetes
Can you get dental implants if you are diabetic?
Often, yes, as long as your diabetes is well controlled. When blood sugar runs high, healing slows and infection and gum disease become more likely. All of that matters for an implant.
- ✓ Control matters most. We’ll ask about your recent HbA1c results and how stable things have been. We may ask for a letter or results from your GP or diabetes team.
- ✓ Gum health. Diabetes and gum disease go hand in hand. Any gum disease has to be treated and stable before an implant goes in.
- ✓ Healing time. Healing can take longer, so we may plan a more cautious timeline than usual.
- ✓ Long-term care. Steady blood sugar and regular implant hygiene visits help protect the implant over the years.
Smoking
Do dental implants and smoking mix?
Not well. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for implant problems. It cuts blood flow to the gums and slows healing, and it’s linked with more implant failures and more peri-implantitis, which is gum disease around an implant.
- ✓ Smokers aren’t automatically ruled out. We assess each person individually and tell you how much risk you’re carrying.
- ✓ Stopping helps. Stopping, or at least cutting right down, before and after surgery improves your chances of healing well. Your GP or pharmacy can help with this.
- ✓ Vaping. The evidence on vaping and implants is still coming in. We’d advise avoiding it around surgery too.
- ✓ Be open with us. We’d much rather know and plan around it than find out later.
After surgery
Dental implant results from our patients
Missing teeth replaced with implants at Toothi in Edgware.
Photos of our own patients, shared with their consent. Individual results vary.
Can you smoke after a dental implant?
Please don’t. The days and weeks after placement are when smoking does most harm to healing. The aftercare sheet we give you sets out how long to avoid it for your treatment.
Many dentists advise no smoking for at least the first couple of weeks, and ideally until the implant has fully fused with the bone, which typically takes a few months. Not smoking at all is the best thing you can do for the implant long term. Our dental implant aftercare guide covers the healing period and what to eat in the first few days.
Other factors
What else affects implant suitability?
Diabetes and smoking are only part of it. At your assessment we also look at other health and dental factors.
Bone
You need enough healthy bone to hold the implant. A CBCT scan, taken at a referral imaging centre and paid to them directly, shows this. Sometimes a graft is needed.
Medicines
Some medicines, such as certain osteoporosis drugs or blood thinners, need careful planning. Bring a full list.
Gum health
Active gum disease has to be treated first, and good daily cleaning is what makes an implant last.
Other conditions
Conditions that affect healing or the immune system, and past radiotherapy to the head or neck, are discussed case by case.
If an implant isn’t suitable, or isn’t suitable yet, we’ll explain why and go through the alternatives. See our comparison of implants, dentures and bridges.
Fees
What does an implant assessment cost?
Nothing. The implant consultation is free and you get a written plan. If you go ahead, a single implant including the crown is £1,995.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Implant consultation, including a written plan | Free |
| Single implant including crown | £1,995 |
| Bone graft, minor or socket preservation | from £395 |
| Routine implant exam | £95 |
| Implant hygiene | £150 |
| CBCT 3D scan | Not included (referral imaging centre, paid to them directly) |
Prices are fixed and taken from our fees page. Find out what happens at a dental implant consultation, or read our main dental implants in Edgware page.
Common Questions
Diabetes, smoking and implants FAQs
Are dental implants safe for diabetics?
For many people with well-controlled diabetes, implants can work well. Poor control raises the risk of healing problems, so we decide at the assessment, sometimes with input from your GP.
Will my implant fail if I smoke?
Not necessarily, but smoking makes healing problems and long-term implant complications much more likely. Stopping or cutting down improves your chances.
How long after a dental implant can I smoke?
Follow the aftercare sheet we give you. Many dentists advise no smoking for at least the first couple of weeks, and ideally until the implant has fused with the bone. Not smoking at all is best.
Can I vape after a dental implant?
The evidence is still coming in, but we’d advise avoiding vaping around surgery as well.
Do I need a letter from my GP?
Sometimes. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, we may ask for recent results or a letter so we can plan safely.
Can you guarantee my implant will work?
No dentist can guarantee an implant. We’ll tell you your risk plainly, plan carefully and explain how you can help it last.
Call 020 3148 2444 or WhatsApp us · 1 Handel Parade, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, HA8 6LD · Open seven days.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment. Prices correct as of October 2026.
