How long do dental implants last?
If you are replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, you may be curios to know Just how long do dental implants last? Dental implants are the ideal option for a long-term tooth replacement. They improve stability, functionality, and long-lasting impact on the quality of your oral health. Since the implants are made of titanium, they will not fracture.
Factors that affect how long dental implants last depend on the patients and their level of dental hygiene. Advancements made in the field of implant technology have made implant failures much less likely to occur on account of rejection or performance issues. Implant failure may result if a patient has preexisting conditions, diseases, or implant misuse.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a substitute for the root of a missing tooth. It is a titanium rod that is inserted within the jawbone and is able to hold either removable replacement teeth or fixed bridges and crowns. Dental implants are a great choice for patients who have lost their teeth, but have enough bone structure to support them.
The Structure of Dental Implants
First, we must understand the basics of an implant-supported restoration. Regardless of the type of prosthesis, implant-supported restoration consists of three primary parts: implant post, abutment, and crown (prosthesis). The implant post is constructed from surgical-grade titanium and is the part that is implanted into the jawbone. To strengthen the bond to the surrounding post, the thread used to connect the post helps encourage osseointegration or the fusion of the surgical implant to the bone.
The particular hole located inside the implant post is designed for an abutment. The abutment is a smooth screw that fits into the hole of the implant post and extends into the gums. There is the last component of a dental implant, the prosthetis, that mounts onto this rigid gear via composites or screws. There are three special kinds of prosthesis that can be placed on an implant post, including a crown, a bridge, or a denture. Crowns are used to replace only a single tooth that has been extracted, whereas bridges and dentures are used for replacing one or more consecutive or even a full row of teeth.
The Average Lifespan of Dental Implants
When a dental implant is placed, there are several factors that must be considered in order to determine how long the restoration will endure. These different elements can contribute to the longevity of the implant post; in most cases, the post is the longest-lived because it fuses with the surrounding bone and remains protected from the harsh environment. Based on the source, there are a variety of sources claiming that dental implants have a life expectancy of 25 years or more, but some sources also claim that implant posts may be permanent.
The abutment and prosthetic parts are the most likely to become damaged, although replacements are expected to follow. Generally speaking, implant-supported repairs are likely to need to be replaced approximately every 10 to 15 years due to the constant forces of biting and chewing that eventually wear down the prosthetic. In some instances, the exact age of your implant-supported replacement will depend on a variety of factors, such as the materials it was made with, its placement, and your oral habits.
The kind of prosthesis may also affect how long they last. For instance, a single dental crown located at the front of the mouth is more inclined to last longer than an implant-supported denture since the bulk of the chewing force affects the back teeth, which may shorten its lifespan compared to an entire arch replacement. However, it is also vital to consider that implant-supported bridges or dentures last longer than traditional bridges and dentures.
How to Avoid Dental Implant Failure
Even though dental implants may occasionally degrade or fail, they can last a lifetime, if properly cared for. To enhance the odds of dental implant success, it’s crucial to floss as well as practice daily dental hygiene. In fact, keeping your dental hygiene high may actually increase the duration of your dental implants.
Although oral hygiene is a very essential factor in preserving a dental implant’s lifespan, there are other factors that affect it as well. Here are the top five variables to examine if you want your implant to last for as long as possible.
- Your oral hygiene efforts: Ensuring and taking care of your dental implants depends on following a good daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing. Good dental hygiene also means going to your dentist regularly for checkup appointments.
- The ways you use your teeth: If you need to bite hard or chew on particularly crunchy items, it may become more natural to shorten the life of your dental implant. Likewise, using your teeth to open or take tags may also risk the deterioration of your dental implant.
- The quality of the implant and the skill of the dental clinician: A high-quality dental implant will last longer, paired with an expert dental implant dentist. With some experience in this area, a skilled dental implant dentist can enhance the procedure and lifespan of your dental implant.
- The location of the implant: Dental implants located in the back will bear heavier wear and tear than those that are located near the front because more pressure will be exerted on those in the back when chewing. As a result, back-located implants are more likely to fail than front-located implants.
- Your overall oral health and lifestyle: Patients with dental implants who smoke heavily or who regularly consume a lot of alcohol have an increased risk of dental implant failure than those who do not smoke heavily or drink regularly. To help avoid the life expectancy of your dental implant from significantly declining, it is best to refrain from smoking and drinking before your dental implant is inserted, as well as refraining from these after your dental implant has been fitted.
If you’ll regularly follow healthy practices and schedule regular dental check-ups, you can increase your dental implant life expectancy.
This is a difficult question to answer due to the many variables that can affect the lifespan of dental implants. However, on average, dental implants can last for over 20 years with proper care. With advances in implant technology and dental care, it is possible that dental implants will last even longer in the future.