How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Experts valued the global dental implants market at $4.6 billion in 2019.

Dental implants can have a life-changing impact on patients. If you've had dental implants put in recently, or you're considering having the procedure soon, you'll probably be wondering how long you're likely to get out of them.

Read on to learn all about the benefits of tooth replacement, and how long your dental implants are likely to last.

Dental implants are the best option for anyone who has lost a tooth. Considered a permanent tooth replacement option, a dental implant will slot into your mouth in place of a missing tooth.

For many people, the importance of dental implants lies in their aesthetic qualities. They may feel self-conscious about an unsightly missing or damaged tooth, and an implant can help them to regain lost confidence.

As well as this, however, dental implants can carry out all the functions of real teeth. Implants attach firmly to the jawbone and can chew and bite without risking slippage.

To understand how dental implants work, it is necessary to explore their structure. Below are the three main parts of dental implants.

Implant

The root of an implant is itself referred to as an implant.

It is made of titanium. Your dentist takes this and surgically implants it into your jawbone, where it forms the base of your new artificial tooth.

Abutment

Once the implant is surgically affixed to your jawbone, your dentist will place an abutment over it in order to hold it in place. Screwed onto the implant, it sits above the line of the gum.

Crown

This is the part that makes your implant look like a real tooth. It is made mostly of ceramic and sits above the abutment.

There are a number of instances in which dental implants might be suitable for you.

The most obvious is if you have a missing tooth. If you've lost a tooth, or you have a naturally missing tooth, a dental implant can slot in to fill the gap.

This allows you to bite and chew as you would normally. It also allows you to open your mouth and smile with confidence.

You can also opt for a dental implant if you have a damaged tooth that's causing you pain or is unable to bite and chew properly.

An added benefit of dental implants is their load-reducing capability for your other teeth.

When you lose a tooth, surrounding teeth have to work harder to pick up the slack. Over time, they will suffer damage from this, and may eventually have to be removed themselves.

With a dental implant, this risk is neutralized.

There are a number of factors that affect the longevity of dental implants. However, on average, implants should last for about 25 years after they are installed.

One of the key considerations here is the location of the implant.

Implants positioned at the back of your mouth (these teeth are known as molars) will come under more pressure from chewing than those at the front. Therefore, molar implants will typically break down more quickly than those put in at the front of the mouth.

Another important factor is the skill of the dentist who put in your implant. Simply put, the implants of a competent, experienced dentist will survive for far longer than those of a less experienced one.

A number of lifestyle factors are relevant to the longevity of implants. These are things that you can manage to give your implants a better chance at a long life.

Most of these are also relevant to your general dental health, as well as your overall physical wellbeing. This should give you an extra incentive to be diligent with them.

Brushing & Flossing

If you brush and floss regularly, you will improve the longevity of your implants. Failure to do so will cause harmful build-ups on both your teeth and your dental implants over time, causing decay and eventual destruction.

Use of Your Teeth

If you have had a tooth replacement, you need to be mindful of the strain you put it under. Chewing heavily will reduce the lifespan of your implant, especially if it's a molar.

Under no circumstances should you consider opening bottles with your implants!

Smoking & Drinking

As any other health professional will tell you, excessive drinking and smoking is bad news. Unfortunately, they're just as bad for your dental implants as they are for the rest of you.

Other Factors That Cause Dental Implants to Fail

Aside from lifestyle factors, there are other issues that can affect the lifespan of a tooth replacement. These are generally long-term health conditions.

Diabetes and cancer are two such conditions. Usually, dental implant patients with these diseases get less time out of their new teeth than a perfectly healthy person.

Gingivitis, which is associated with receding gums, is also a risk factor. However, this can be managed through proper dental hygiene.

If you go to the trouble of having dental implants put in, you're going to want to keep them in good condition for as long as you possibly can.

The tips here will help you to keep your implants in place for years to come.