Which factor related to smoking negatively impacts dental implant success rates?

The factor that negatively impacts dental implant success rates related to smoking is decreased capillary blood flow. When a person smokes, it leads to vasoconstriction, which results in reduced blood flow to the tissues, including the periodontal region where implants are placed. Adequate blood supply is crucial for proper healing and integration of dental implants with the surrounding bone and soft tissues.

Moreover, compromised blood flow can reduce the delivery of necessary nutrients and oxygen to the healing sites, prolonging recovery times and increasing the risk of complications such as infection or implant failure. While increased phagocytic activity, lower chemotactic migration, and decreased PMN counts are significant immunological factors and may play a role in tissue response, they do not directly relate to the primary physiological impact of smoking on blood circulation and healing, making decreased capillary blood flow a more critical concern for dental implant success in smokers.