If you have lost a tooth, you are curious about which dental treatment is the most long-lasting.
Dental implant technology makes obtaining a long-lasting, sturdy, and realistic-looking solution easy. When it comes to replacing lost teeth, dental implants are unrivalled. Dental tooth implants, unlike other restoration treatments such as dentures or bridges, do not tumble off and closely resemble your original teeth in every manner.
However, the question still lingers: how long do dental implants last?
If you also have this question in your mind along with others, this blog is for you. So, keep reading.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are dental structures that replace missing dental roots. With screw-like devices, the dentist puts an implant into the jawbone, which works as an anchor for a prosthetic tooth, known as a crown. All these materials are biocompatible (friendly to the tissues inside your mouth) and safe.
A dental implant has three major parts:
- Implant – An implant is a post made of titanium. It is surgically implanted in a patient’s jawbone to serve as a root for the crown.
- Abutment – The abutment connects to the implant and secures the crown.
- Crown – A crown is a ceramic tooth attached to the abutment and looks similar to a natural tooth.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to be long-lasting. This is because they are directly inserted in the jawbone and bonded with the adjacent bone tissue through a process known as osseointegration.
However, they are not invincible. A dental implant has an average lifetime of 10 to 30 years before it needs replacement due to wear and tear. This means that, depending on your age and when you get an implant, it will most likely last the rest of your life.
Which factors affect the life of dental implants?
- Implant quality
The longevity of dental tooth implants is greatly dependent on the implant’s quality. High-quality implants composed of biocompatible materials such as titanium provide remarkable strength and corrosion resistance.
Consulting an experienced dentist providing dental care Manchester and selecting implants from recognised manufacturers assures the selection of implants that meet the highest requirements, boosting long-term durability.
- Dental hygiene
Before you receive dental implants, your dentist will address any gum disease and assess whether your jaw is thick enough to support a solid implant. This is important because it will properly allow the metal root to unite with your jaw.
Also, after receiving a dental implant, you must continue to care for it in the same manner as you would your natural teeth. Even if titanium and a porcelain crown are on top, the teeth and gums around the implant are not decay-resistant.
- Staging of the surgery
According to some research, staging the dental implant operation in more than one step can boost the probability of a good outcome. Staging is extracting the tooth and then waiting several months for the site to heal before inserting the dental tooth implant.
However, there are times when staging the operation in only one session is sufficient. Your implant provider will assess your anatomy and overall health to determine which dental treatment approach will offer you the best results.
- Nutrition
Nutrition is vital for the longevity of a dental implant, both before and after the implant operation.
Eating a soft diet for about a week following surgery allows the jawbone and gums to recover and bind with the titanium posts. Avoiding sticky or difficult-to-chew meals during the recovery phase improves healing and bonding. Moreover, avoiding these items in the subsequent years can prevent crown damage.
- Bite alignment
The way teeth come together when biting, called occlusion, is critical for implant longevity. Imbalances in the bite can put undue strain on the implants, potentially resulting in mechanical failures or implant overload.
Dentists carefully examine the patient’s occlusion and make required changes to appropriately distribute the load. This helps to avoid issues and assures the implant restoration’s life.
- Regular dental check-up
Regular visits to the dentist for dental care Manchester are essential for monitoring the health and stability of dental implants.
Your dentist can discover and fix potential issues, reducing the likelihood of implant failure. Also, professional cleanings and repairing worn-out components are crucial for maximising the long-term success of dental tooth implants.
- Genetics
Gum disease often runs in families. While dental implants are still a possibility, anybody with heredity for gum disease must take special precautions to avoid gum infections, which shorten the lifespan of a dental implant.
Tips for Increasing the Life of Dental Implants
- Select an experienced and reputable dentist
- Maintain good oral hygiene with regular flossing and brushing
- Avoid smoking, especially when you are recovering from dental implant surgery
- Follow your dentist’s after-care advice for a longer implant life
- If you grind your teeth at night because of bruxism, consider getting a mouthguard
- Making healthy lifestyle decisions not only improves your general health but also reduces the possibility of dental issues
- Do not touch the area during the implant healing process
Why do dental implants have a longer life than other treatment options?
What is it about dental implants that allow them to endure so long? It is due to their design.
A dental implant is a tooth as well as a root replacement device. The process takes a few months, but once a strong bond between the implant root and your jaw is developed, it can survive for many years.
While the implant root can be expected to survive for many years, the crown part of your dental implant may not. But, as the crown is far less expensive than the entire dental implant, changing it once or twice in your lifetime is not a big deal.
The bottom line!
Dental implants are intended to be long-term solutions. This is because implants fuse with your jawbone. However, dental implants can fail in various instances and can be attributed to several factors.
A failing implant can occasionally be replaced, but additional treatment options are also available if necessary. If you see indicators of implant failure, consult your dentist.
