You’ve lost a tooth! That was hard enough. Now it’s time to make some decisions about artificial tooth replacement. Tooth implants are a strong option for many! They’re one of the best solutions if you want something as similar to a natural tooth as possible. One big question to consider when looking over your options is how this will be to live with in the long term. What kind of maintenance will need to be done? How long do they last?
There are no solutions that last forever. Natural teeth don’t last forever. However, dental implants are the most permanent tooth loss solution available. If properly taken care of, installed by an experienced and qualified dentist, and with good overall dental hygiene, a dental implant can last for more than 25 years.
Dental Implants As A Strong Choice For Your Dental Health
Did you know that when you lose a tooth, your jawbone health suffers? Your jawbone is meant to be attached to a tooth. Your remaining teeth are also unsure what to do with the new gap in your smile and may shift to attempt to fill that space.
These issues can lead to a lot of problems for a healthy smile.
Partial dentures are one solution to fill the gap in your smile and keep the teeth in place. However, for jawbone health and a more long term solution, many patients prefer to use dental implants. The implant prevents the bone deterioration that would naturally happen over time without a tooth in place.
There are three parts to your dental implant.
There is the implant itself, which is a titanium post. Take note that this screw will be surgically installed to the jawbone during a pain-free procedure during your dentist. This usually takes around 20 minutes in our office, and our patients say it felt like getting a filling. This screw acts as the root of the tooth.
There is also the abutment, which is screwed onto the top of the implant. This implant screw can become loose over time with chewing forces.
Then there is the dental implant crown. This is the white part of the tooth you normally see and think of as a tooth. It attaches to the abutment.
The titanium screw is stable and secure. This will usually be the part that lasts the longest. Your crown and abutment are at a higher risk of damage and may need replacing sometime sooner, depending on dental health and other factors. Read more about how dental implants work.
Factors Affecting How Long Dental Implants Last
Keeping your teeth clean is the best thing you can do to keep your dental implant lasting forever, or nearly so.
Having the procedure performed by an experienced implant dentist will give you the best results for the long term.
Which tooth are you replacing with a dental implant? When you ask how long does a dental implant last, you must also consider the wear and tear the tooth replacement will undergo. The front teeth aren’t as involved in chewing as the back teeth are, and so the back teeth may wear out sooner.
How great are you at keeping up a habit of dental flossing, brushing your teeth, and getting into the dentist for your regular cleanings? This will be important to the longevity of your dental implant.
Do you smoke? How is your overall health? The healthier you are, the better for your dental health. Non-smokers will have better long term results for their dental implants.
What Causes A Dental Implant To Fail
Let’s take a closer look at this question. How long do dental implants last? Again, they can last up to 25 years, but they can also fail. Take note that this is not the norm. A failed dental implant is a rare event, but it is important to be aware of so that you take the proper steps to prevent this from happening.
Before you ever get a dental implant, your dentist will want to perform an exam. This exam includes x-rays and an overview of your dental and overall health. Why?
For one thing, some patients have poor jawbone health. In some of these cases, this may preclude the patient from becoming a candidate for dental implants. In other instances, it will mean a bone grafting procedure to assure that the jawbone is strong enough for the titanium screw for the implant.
There are also considerations with overall health. For example, patients with diabetes, cancer, heavy smokers or heart conditions may not be good candidates for the procedure.
Sometimes these patients may seem to be in good enough health for the procedure but then suffer dental implant failure after.
A more common culprit for dental implant failure though is poor oral hygiene. Taking care of your dental implant is a lot like taking care of your natural teeth. You need to brush twice daily, floss, and check-in with your dentist for regular cleanings.
When these habits are not made, poor oral hygiene happens. This can lead to gum disease. With periodontal disease or gingivitis deteriorating the health of the gums, the dental implant is put at risk. In this case, how long does a dental implant last? The answer depends on the extent of the problems of gum disease, but not long at all.
If you experience inflamed gums, pain, or bleeding while brushing or flossing, you must contact a dentist immediately. They can form a plan to fight the gum disease and attempt to save the dental implant.
Dental Implants for the Long Term
With proper dental hygiene and the help of the right dentist, dental implants can last for the long term.
Our team has been trained to help our patients meet the highest standards of care. This means that we use the best materials and the most up-to-date techniques to keep our patients healthy. It also means we are here to make sure you understand how to care for your dental implant so it lasts as long as possible.
If you have any questions about getting a dental implant or carrying for one, please contact our team today!