Getting dental implants is an investment in your smile, confidence and well-being. But how long do dental implants last? How do you look after them? And are they worth it? How long do dental implants last? We answer all your burning questions about dental implants here.
What Are Dental Implants?
When considering whether or not to replace teeth with implants, it is crucial to understand what the treatment involves. Dental implants are effectively tooth replacements. The implant is a screw made from titanium that is implanted into the jawbone to act as an artificial root. Once the implant fuses properly with the jawbone, a process that takes around 2-3 months, an individually designed, colour-matched porcelain crown is attached. Read on to find out the question everyone’s asking, how long do dental implants last?
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The questions on everyone’s lips are ‘how long do dental implants last’ and ‘do dental implants last forever’? Well, they should theoretically last a lifetime with the right amount of care and attention. As a rule of thumb, the average dental implant lifespan is around 20-30 years. Thankfully, titanium dental implants have evolved over the years, with sandblasting and acid etching ensuring a stronger, longer-lasting bond to the jawbone.
How To Look After Dental Implants
Any dental implant specialist will tell you that the key to ensuring your dental implants last the distance is to look after them appropriately. The following factors can have a detrimental impact on the longevity of your dental implants. Therefore, they should be managed carefully to keep your implants in perfect working order for as long as possible.
Oral Hygiene
It is essential to undertake regular brushing and flossing of your teeth to ward off gum disease, which is a significant cause of dental implant failures. Regular visits to your dentist and hygienist will help you to stay on top of your oral hygiene routine.
Lifestyle choices
Smoking and heavy drinking can adversely affect the success of a dental implant. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, and alcohol thins the blood, both of which can impair the critical healing process.
Injury Or Illness
Gum disease and pre-existing illnesses – like diabetes – can lead to infections that impede healing. Jaw injuries and excessive teeth grinding (bruxism) can also hamper the process and lead to implant failure.
Can Dental Implants Be Replaced?
Some parts of a dental implant are easier than others to replace. Replacing the porcelain crown is a relatively straightforward process and one that will almost certainly need to be done due to general wear and tear. The average lifespan of a dental crown can be anywhere from five to 15 years, depending on how well it is looked after. Sudden trauma or biting something hard can crack or chip a dental crown.
A dental implant’s titanium ‘root’ element can also occasionally fail. Early failures within the first few months are typically due to improper healing or bone issues. Late failures, which occur more than a year after the implantation procedure, are often due to an infection or too much force placed on the structure. It is naturally more challenging to replace the implant, but it is possible. Bone grafting may be required to assist the bonding process.
Are Dental Implants Worth It?
Replacing a missing or damaged tooth with a dental implant is a transformative experience for many people. Not just for their smile but their self-esteem and general well-being. Of course, whilst dental implants undoubtedly cost more than dentures, you certainly get what you pay for. With dental implants, you will never have to worry about common denture problems, like impaired chewing and lisps. These durable solutions will give you many years of confident, natural-looking smiles and functionality, making them an extremely worthwhile investment.
Restore Your Smile And Confidence With Ollie & Darsh
Dental implants are hard to beat for a long-lasting, secure, confidence-boosting solution to missing teeth. As long as you take good care of them, just as you would your natural teeth, dental implants will provide you with many years of reliable service.
Ollie & Darsh offers comprehensive dental implant treatments that will restore your smile and enjoyment of your favourite foods. Whether it be one, several or a complete set of All-On-4® implants, our interest-free dental plans mean that we can provide affordable dental implants that you will treasure forever. Thank you for reading about, how long do dental implants last.
If you would like more information about dental implants or to book an appointment, please contact us at 0151 236 6578.