Can Dental Implants Last a Lifetime?

Dental implants are excellent solutions for replacing missing teeth as a long-term option. Implants appear and feel like your natural teeth need maintenance as your natural teeth.

When missing teeth, considering replacement options, and receiving a suggestion from the dentist in Wenatchee, WA, to consider dental implants, you may wonder how long the implants will last. The answer to your question depends significantly on your choices and overall dental hygiene.

Over the last two decades, dentistry advances have made implant failures by rejection or functionality problems rare. However, pre-existing medical conditions and misuse are the most common reasons implants fail.

What Are Dental Implants Made of?

Implants remain in the mouth for an extended period. They comprise of:

• Implant: the titanium or zirconia implant embedded in your jawbone functions as the artificial tooth root of the crown.
• Abutment: an abutment attachment is fastened to the implant to hold your dental crown.
• Crown: a dental crown is a ceramic artificial tooth mounted by the dentist over the abutment to give you the appearance and function of a natural tooth.

Generally, the abutment and crown are more vulnerable to damage than the implant because they are exposed and involved when biting and chewing food.

How Long Do Dental Implants Actually Last?

If you maintain proper oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing as suggested by the Wenatchee dentistry, the implanted titanium post lasts for life if you receive dental checkups and cleanings twice yearly. However, you may need replacements for the dental crown every 10 to 15 years because of wear and tear. However, you can extend the longevity of the dental crown over 15 years by maintaining excellent dental hygiene and using the crown cautiously. The location of dental implant placement is a factor that helps predict the lifespan of a dental implant. Implants replacing your molars are used excessively for chewing, indicating they are likely to wear faster than implants in the anterior region of your mouth.

Dental Implants Vs. Other Tooth Replacement Options

Dental implants are permanent replacement solutions for missing teeth and are currently preferred among patients and dentists. Dental implants entirely replace a natural tooth and help in biting and chewing without slipping or shifting, as with dentures. However, unlike dentures, implants are permanently embedded by the oral Surgeon nearby, indicating you can maintain your dental hygiene routine as usual without removing the prosthetics from your mouth. For example, you can brush them twice daily and floss once when cleaning your natural teeth without concerns because the adjacent teeth do not support them as it is familiar with dental bridges. In addition, implants don’t strain your remaining teeth because they are standalone applications and do not require special techniques other than cleaning.

Reasons for Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are long-term replacements for missing and damaged teeth when cared for appropriately. However, several conditions can cause dental implants to fail, causing the titanium post to require replacement prematurely.

After getting dental implants embedded in your jawbone by undergoing oral surgery, it is incredibly essential for you to maintain excellent dental hygiene to disallow dental plaque from accumulating on your teeth and beneath the gum line, making you a victim of gum disease to weaken your jawbone. Gum disease is a primary cause of tooth loss and can also affect the titanium post if your jawbone weakens after receiving implants to replace your missing teeth. Therefore you must remain cautious with your dental practices and attend regular dental checkups and cleanings with the Wenatchee dentist to ensure no plaque or tartar accumulates on your teeth or the dental implants.

If you have diabetes or other pre-existing medical conditions like cancer, the chances of dental implant failure increase after receiving restorative dentistry treatments to replace missing teeth. Smoking is also the reason for dental implant failure because it encourages gum disease in your mouth harmful to the implanted teeth.

Most importantly, dental implant maintenance is of utmost importance along with your remaining teeth, which remain vulnerable to dental infections that can also cause dental implant failure. Therefore if considering this option to replace your missing teeth, you must discuss the entire procedure with the Wenatchee dentist to ensure the dental implants serve your needs for life and don’t make you need replacements.

Confluence Dental Wenatchee provides dental implants as an excellent replacement solution for missing teeth making patients aware of the risks of losing the implant. If you want to replace your lost teeth with dental implants scheduling an appointment with the practice will help prepare you for the procedure with all information on caring for the placement to ensure dental implants last for life.