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How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Are you reaching the time of life at which you need replacement teeth? You have a choice before you. Regular dentures take less time to fabricate than dental implants, but which is best for you? How long do dentures last? Who knows how many years dental implants last?

Numerous people have heard of dental implants but don’t know much about them. Here are a few facts regarding how long do implant crowns last that you should know before making your decision.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Knowing that the Golden Gate Bridge’s 83,000 tons of steel has lasted for 88 years gives you more security driving across it. As a comparison, that doesn’t even touch dental implants, which are newer. The implants are designed to last a lifetime, like the bridge.

Implants work by placing a titanium or zirconia screw into the jawbone. When the screw and jawbone fuse, it acts like the ordinary root of a tooth. An abutment is attached to the top of the screw. This anchors the crown or the cap of the tooth.

Titanium and zirconia are the most durable, strongest metals ever. They are corrosion-free. They are antimicrobial. You won’t worry you’ll have problems with the screws. That’s how it works, but how do teeth implants last forever?

Are There More Than One Type Of Dental Implant?

Yes, there are. The first is called endosteal implants, or “located within bone or cartilage,” according to Merriam-Webster. This is what we described above.

The second type of implant is called subperiosteal implants. This means beneath a layer of fibrous tissue that covers the bones. The periosteum helps bones to grow as well as helps them to heal when injured.

The surgeon will take an impression of the jawbone. When it’s healed, a metal framework will be placed beneath the fibrous tissue between the bone and the gum. A protruding part of the framework will anchor the crown or the cap of the tooth.

This option is chosen by those with not enough bone to drill into for regular implants. Those who can’t or won’t undergo surgery for any reason often choose this option. It’s certainly a comparable option considering how many years dental implants last.

The third type of dental implant is the mini dental implant. They last every bit as long as normal dental implants. However, they’re smaller than normal implants – about the size of a toothpick. They’re inserted into the hole drilled in the jawbone, just like normal implants.

The difference is that mini implants have a ball on top of the screw. The cap or crown is affixed to this ball, which sticks out above the gum. You’ll have temporary teeth while you heal. You’ll also have the beginnings of an idea of how long do implant crowns last.

Dental Implants By The Numbers

The American College of Prosthodontists has found that around 178 million persons are missing one tooth. Forty million are missing all of them.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has determined that, although the average mouth without wisdom teeth contains 28 teeth, those 20 to 34 years old contain 27 remaining teeth. Persons aged 35 to 49 contain 25 remaining teeth, with seniors aged 50 to 64 retaining 22 of their teeth.

This sets the stage for dental implant statistics, which highlight very well the answer to the question do teeth implants last forever. As of 2019, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry has noticed the implant market is about $1.4 billion, with around three million persons having one dental implant at least. This leaves us with the impression that the life of implant teeth is impressive.

  • Did you know that over 500,000 dental implants are placed yearly?
  • Dental implants have increased over six percent in the last ten years.
  • Up to 98 percent of dental implants are successful.
  • The five million dental implant procedures performed by ten percent of American dentists is rising every year.
  • It’s estimated that from 2020 to 2026, the number of dental implants will increase by 23 percent.
  • The American dental implant market was valued at one billion in recent years. It’s expected to surpass six billion in the coming years.
  • Dental implants last up to 30 years. There aren’t a lot of studies, nor are there enough subjects to study, for a 30 year endeavor. However, this study followed four subjects and their implants for 30 years. Proof positive of the question do dental implants last forever.
  • The first titanium dental implant was placed in 1965. When the patient died in 2006, the implant had been going strong for over 40 years.

What Affects Dental Implant Longevity?

If you want anything to last a long time, you take care of it. Your children receive the absolute best care available. You keep your house well maintained. You take good care of your car. Why would you do any less for yourself?

  • Good oral hygiene is vital to the health of your mouth. Brushing and flossing as well as periodic teeth cleaning leads to a lifetime of healthy teeth and/or implants. It answers the question do dental implants last forever as well.
  • Teeth are for chewing and smiling. We’ve all seen people who take the cap off their bottle of beer with their teeth. We’ve watched people chew off tags, untie knots, and open packages with their teeth. Don’t do these things, and you won’t destroy your teeth and/or implants.
  • Lifestyle is more than just a word. Those who don’t smoke, aren’t diabetics, don’t have heart problems, and aren’t drinkers stand a better chance of seeing their implants last a lifetime.
  • The placement of the implant. Implants towards the back of the mouth take more punishment from chewing than front teeth. You might be replacing these back implants at some future date.

Life Of Implant Teeth

Firstly, are dental implants permanent? Yes, they are. Dental implants fuse with the jawbone. This helps to maintain the integrity of the bone. The jawbone won’t weaken or disintegrate in time.

Secondly, implants look like normal teeth. You will chew foods, crunch on nuts, bite into an apple, and drink whatever you fancy. The look and feel of implants will give you the confidence you need with none of the discomforts of other dental options.

How long do full dental implants last? Dental implants are designed to last up to 25 years. The crown endures the most hardship due to chewing a variety of foods. The crown will last up to 15 years before requiring replacement. Properly maintained and with frequent checkups, your implants could very well last your entire lifetime.

Do Dental Implants Fail?

Before we get to that question, you should know how diseases and medical conditions affect the mouth. Diabetes, for example, eats away at the body in the form of feet, kidney, and eye disorders, as well as bone loss. This means the jawbone might not be strong enough to anchor dentures or dental implants.

Cancer, heart disease, bleeding disorders, osteoporosis, and a host of other diseases weaken the immune system. When that happens, the damage is done to the teeth and jawbone. Strengthening the immune system is vital to the repair of the mouth and the longevity of dental implants. That’s only half the story, though.

  • Smokers, drinkers, those who eat other than healthy foods, those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, as well as those who practice poor to no oral hygiene are not taking good care of their teeth and/or implants. These things have an impact on the mouth just like diseases do.
  • Aging affects the body and mind in various, and sometimes devastating, ways. Brittle bones, less than toned musculature, arthritis, and other age-related things mean that implants are more likely to fail. It can be done, so don’t lose heart. Healing will just be slower.
  • It’s no secret that chemical medications have undesirable side effects. Certain drugs such as blood thinners, steroids that suppress the immune system, and some radiation drugs will make dental implants fail.
  • An inexperienced dental surgeon might use cheaper screws and crowns, place the implants in improper locales, causing trauma to the tissues during the surgery, in addition to adding a crown before the screws and bones are healed. These are the sure path to implant failure.

So, yes, dental implants can fail. When the mouth and gums don’t get what they need to maintain optimal health, then it’s more difficult to expect implanted screws to fuse with an unhealthy jawbone.

Benefits Of Dental Implants

You’ve read the answer to the questions are dental implants permanent as well as how long do full dental implants last. You’ve read of the types of implants, how they work, along with what makes them fail. However, you need to know their benefits before deciding to call us.

  • Appearance. Your teeth are one of the most important things about you. They flash smiles at people. They process food and drink. They help you speak and help shape your face. When your natural teeth no longer perform these tasks, dental implants will. They will look just as normal and attractive as your regular teeth.
  • Durable. The titanium and zirconium of the screws integrate with the bone like natural teeth. It won’t be rejected by the body and will last for many years to come.
  • Bone loss. Where there is no activity, the bone will deteriorate. Teeth keep the jawbone engaged so that no bone loss occurs.
  • Tooth stability. The remaining natural teeth tend to shift aside to take up the space left by the removal of the teeth. This affects the bite and chewing. Implants keep the remaining teeth in place with no shifting.
  • Sagging. Bone loss stemming from the loss of teeth means no support for the lower part of the face. The lips will thin, wrinkles appear around the mouth, and the person will look considerably aged. Implants fill in the area so no facial collapse will occur.
  • Comfort. Dental implants don’t slip, slide, or move at all. You’ll speak and chew as if you had normal teeth.
  • Self-esteem. Go ahead and make your videos. Go on and speak to that crowd. Smile more often, sing all the time. Your dental implants will give you the confidence you need to keep doing the things you love.

Dental Implant Maintenance Tips

In order to ensure your implants last a lifetime, keep these tips in mind:

  • Brush and floss. They may not be your natural teeth, but they still need to be kept clean. Brush and floss twice per day to make sure they last for years.
  • Drink water. The saliva in the mouth cleanses the teeth of food particles and the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Drinking water, especially if you can’t brush after eating, washes away the bacteria and food particles.
  • Avoid damaging things. Nuts, chewing ice and pulling things with the teeth damage your implants. Teeth grinding or bruxism should be addressed by your dentist or implant professional to ensure your implants don’t get damaged.
  • New toothbrush. Get a new toothbrush every three months. This prevents the bacteria from getting into the bristles of the brush as well as cleaning away the plaque and bacteria.
  • Dental supplies. Brushes, floss, and WaterPik tools ensure your implants are as clean as they can possibly be. Make sure to clean around the base of the crown to remove any damaging items. Also, make sure the toothbrush reaches the back of the mouth. You might want to try electric toothbrushes if you can’t properly attend to the back teeth.

Final Thoughts

Dental implants are a viable solution to missing teeth. Please visit our Victory Plaza Dental’s state of the art office to consult with our highly trained dental professionals.