How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

If you are looking for a naturally-looking and feeling long-term tooth replacement, look no further as dental implants revolutionized modern dentistry and remain the most recommended restoration among dentists. There is a reason why dental implants are an excellent solution that allows us to rebuild an incomplete smile in no time! Missing, severely damaged, or misshapen teeth are often a source of many dental problems, insecurities, and mere frustration for many people. Gaps in your dentition can pose serious threats to your oral and general health, from a poor chewing mechanism to digestive issues and even gradual loss of bone tissue. Missing teeth affect the entire structure and condition of your jawbone and often lead to unpleasant facial distortions if left untreated. 

While the world of dentistry offers several solutions for managing missing or problem teeth, dental implants remain on the pedestal for various reasons, including their longevity, effectiveness, and overall patient satisfaction. Unlike other popular dental reconstructions, such as bridges or dentures, we consider dental implants a permanent solution to restoring your beautiful smile. Let’s dive in!

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are essentially medical-grade appliances resembling tiny screws that are attached to your jawbone. They are made of either titanium or zirconia, and if placed correctly by a skilled prosthodontist like Dr. Guldalian, your dental implants will successfully complete the osseointegration process that fuses the artificial root to your jaw. Dental implants consist of other elements necessary for a full smile revival, including the abutment vital for supporting your future restoration, such as a tooth crown. 

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants are understandably more expensive than other restorations for many reasons, including the nature of the procedure itself, its durability, and other factors that make them the number one choice of dentists all over the world. When performed by an experienced and trained dental expert, your implants may last you a lifetime. Studies show that their longevity may extend beyond thirty years if and only if they are adequately cared for with excellent oral hygiene in mind. Dental implants interface directly with your jawbone, bonding with surrounding bone tissue through a fusing process described above. This makes it a permanent solution without the need for frequent and costly replacements, as is often the case with bridges, dentures, and other popular restorative options. Keep in mind, however, that while the implant itself remains fused in your jaw permanently, the subsequent tooth restoration, such as your crown, will need a replacement depending on your oral habits and other complex factors affecting its longevity. Research indicates that approximately 50 to 80 percent of artificial crowns would need replacement in 15 to 20 years. 

What impacts the longevity of dental implants?

Well-planned treatment, the experience of your implantologist, or the quality of the prosthetic restoration - all these factors determine the durability of your dental implants, which is why at Nova Dental, we precisely plan the treatment and design each step of the way utilizing the latest technologies. Working alongside the best implant specialists allows Dr. Guldalian and her team to guarantee first-rate outcomes and happy smiles. Doctor Talar Guldalian is a seasoned expert with a specialized background in prosthodontics to ensure the necessary final step of the dental implant process is carried out successfully and with utmost precision. Prosthodontists require additional training, which makes them pioneers in the restorative dentistry realm. 

Your oral hygiene ritual is another component that ultimately determines how long your dental implants will last. Thorough brushing with anti-bacterial toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing, while vital, might not be quite enough. The necessary condition of your implants’ durability consists of regular follow-ups where your practitioner can adequately assess the health of your oral cavity, including the state of your dental implants, and perform vital bi-yearly professional cleanings. If bacteria attacks your implants from the accumulated plaque, a specific type of gingivitis called peri-implantitis might develop, where inflammation impacts the soft and hard tissues around your implants. Untreated, the condition can result in bone loss or even the damage of implants. 

The quality of your implants will significantly influence their lifespan as well. Clinically speaking, dental implants made of medical-grade titanium have the highest performance despite their size, shape, and other variations, as demonstrated by research. When the surgical site is well-prepared with adequate bone density, the quality material has substantial advantages and durability chances over other implant characteristics. 

There are a number of other factors that ultimately play a role in how long your dental implant will last, including:

  • Nutritional and chewing habits - as with natural teeth, implants and their restorations might become damaged depending on the foods you consume, such as hard, sticky, and sugary treats. Your dentist might also recommend abstaining from these until you are completely healed following the procedure. 
  • Your implants location - believe it or not, but there is no equal distribution of how we use our mouths. Most chewing and other functions that put pressure on your teeth happen in the back, making the front implants more durable as they withstand the effects of time and usage. 
  • Using tobacco products - people who regularly use tobacco, whether smoking or chewing, not only are at an increased risk of cancer but also are more likely to experience implant failure.
  • Underlying medical conditions - your general health may impact the lifespan of your dental implants and their healing post-surgery. 
  • Patient’s bone density - bone density is one of the most tell-tale signs of how long your dental implant will last or if you even qualify for the procedure. Bone loss occurs naturally with age or might be due to prolonged missing teeth. Bone graft is a procedure designed to improve bone density and hence benefit the longevity of your dental implants. 

Last words on Dental Implants Lifespan

While we can make predictions, it is nearly impossible to answer the question unequivocally. Dental implants’ durability depends on many factors, and while choosing a dental clinic to perform the task, pay close attention to the doctor’s experience, equipment that will be used to plan your treatment, and the quality of the materials. It should also be noted that the patient has an equally significant contribution to the implant’s durability - having proper oral hygiene and always following the dentist’s recommendations. Remember that an implant is an investment for years, and taking care of your oral health will benefit you now and in the future. 

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