Wading into the world of dentistry can be disorienting. There are so many great options to replace your missing teeth that it can be hard to choose. Dental implants are some of the most popular, in part due to their touted longevity. But exactly how long do dental implants last? Here’s a brief guide to help you answer that question.
How Long Can I Expect My Dental Implants to Last?
Implants are made up of a titanium post and a porcelain restoration attached to it by a piece called an abutment. The titanium post is seated entirely under the gumline and is surrounded by bone, so for the most part it isn’t going anywhere. The porcelain restoration is also incredibly tough and is likely to last for decades. All told, if well maintained you can expect your implants to last upwards of thirty years. However, that’s ifyou take care of them. While implants have a 95% success rate, they can fail. It’s worth talking for a moment about how that can happen.
How a Dental Implant Can Fail
Implants usually fail for one of two reasons. The first is due to an infection called peri-implantitis. This happens when severe gum disease begins to eat away at the bone layer surrounding the post. If left untreated, this can result in the implant coming loose.
The other case has to do with how you recover from the initial surgery. The process of the bone fusing to the post during healing is called osseointegration, and it’s essential to the implant’s success. Failure of osseointegration is usually due to a pre-existing condition that hampers the immune system, or due to excess pressure placed on the abutments before the post can heal in place.
How to Keep Your Dental Implants in Pristine Condition
As stated, implant failure is exceedingly rare. If you take care of them, your restorations aren’t going anywhere for an exceptionally long time. Maintenance won’t be that different from before— brush twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash after meals. It is important to note that you should be careful when you floss around your implants. Never push your floss below the gum line, as you might accidentally break the fragile peri-implant seal. Finally, remember to schedule your biannual checkups and cleanings so your dentist can take a look at your dental implant, teeth, gums, and jaw regularly.
If you’re still considering which option to use to replace your missing teeth, implants are an excellent choice. With minimal upkeep, they can have your smile looking good for years to come.
About Our Practice
At Roselle Park Dental & Implants, our command of innovative technology makes us the best pick for whatever tooth-replacement solution you may be considering. Dr. Oshidar specializes in dental implants, so you can trust him to give you the life-changing transformation you’ve been looking for. If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (908) 245-1745.