Lifespan of a Dental Implant
Dental implants are becoming an increasingly popular option for people who need to replace one or more missing natural teeth. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that provide a permanent replacement option that looks, feels, and acts just like natural teeth. Dental implants are surgically placed into the bones of the jaw and, once healed, function just like a tooth’s natural root. Because they involve surgical procedures and can be costly, one of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants is how long they might last. The good news is that with the proper care, dental implants can last as long as 25 years.
Dental implants are made up of three parts: the implant itself, sometimes called the implant fixture; the abutment, which affixes the replacement tooth to the implant; and the crown, which is the replacement tooth itself. The implant is a small screw-like post, usually made of titanium, that is inserted into the jawbone and protrudes up from the bone and through the jaw. The abutment is an attachment piece that sits on top of the implant fixture and holds the crown in place; in some types of implants, the abutment is attached separately after the implant has healed, while in others, the abutment is built onto the implant fixture when it is placed into the jaw. The crown is the portion of the implant that looks like a real tooth and is custom-made to perfectly fit into your mouth. Crowns are made of a translucent material, often porcelain, that can be tinted to match your natural teeth and provide you with a natural-looking, brightened smile. Dental implants confer many benefits, though they may also have some downsides.
The benefits of dental implants are clear for many who wear them. Because they improve the appearance of the wearer’s smile and facilitate easy speech, they can help increase patients’ self-confidence and can help with social behaviors. Dental implants are also considered very comfortable and convenient, especially in contrast with removable dentures and some other dental restoration options. When the bones of the jaw heal and fuse to the implant fixture, this helps stimulate the health and growth of the bone, improving the overall appearance and health of the mouth and providing a stable, durable restoration option. The stability of dental implants improves the wearer’s ability to eat -- and enjoy -- a wide variety of foods, improving the overall health of the wearer while also increasing their quality of life. Possible risks associated with dental implants include the potential for infection when the implants are not properly cared for, which can lead to an increased chance of deterioration of the bones of the jaw in populations that are at risk. There is also a small chance of error upon placement of the implants, and a small risk that the implants may move, depending on the condition of the jaw. In certain populations, there may be other risks associated with dental implants, so an important part of any dental implant treatment must include a thorough review of the patient’s overall health and a transparent discussion of any habits the patients may have, like smoking, that could contribute to risk of implant failure.
When implants are placed in the jaw, as they heal, they integrate with the surrounding bone. This supports the health of the bone, and it also helps distribute pressure evenly across all the teeth, gums, and jaw when chewing or otherwise exerting force or pressure on the teeth. When this pressure is distributed unevenly, in the absence of a tooth or implant, the oral structures are damaged disproportionately over time. The even pressure distribution facilitated by dental implants prevents this damage and protects the underlying structures in the mouth. Dental implants can also be cleaned just like natural teeth, requiring no special tools or unique products, which adds to their convenience.
While dental implants can last as long as 25 years -- considerably longer than most other dental restoration options -- the lifespan of a dental implant is influenced by multiple different factors, including oral hygiene practices, diet, lifestyle, the location of the implant in the mouth, and the dentist or dentists you work with throughout your treatment. Patients with excellent oral hygiene habits find that their implants last the longest; oral hygiene for dental implants is just like oral hygiene for natural teeth and includes twice-daily brushing and daily flossing along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Dentists with excellent track records are also preferable to dentists with little to no experience with dental implants; don’t be afraid to ask your prospective dentist for photographs of successful patients, and for data about possible failures.
The lifespan of dental implants can occur for a number of different reasons. While normal wear and tear should be expected, unusually aggressive wear on the teeth can reduce the lifespan of implants. People with dental implants should resist habits like chewing on non-food items, like pencils or fingernails, and they should avoid using their teeth as tools; teeth are not meant to open packages or bottles, nor are implants. Implants that are placed toward the back of the mouth are more prone to failure than those toward the front of the mouth, even when wear on the teeth is normal. This is because these teeth bear more pressure than the front teeth when eating and chewing. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking adversely affect the overall health of the patient and also adversely affect the health of the mouth, which can compromise the integrity of dental implants and shorten their lifespan. Certain medical conditions can also shorten the lifespan of dental implants; you and your dentist will discuss any conditions you may have that could affect your implants, and you will also discuss the use of medications you may take that may have an effect on the implants’ lifespan, and together you will arrive at a treatment plan that works for you. In many cases, patients with well-managed medical conditions, like diabetes, can still be good candidates for dental implants and should work with their dentist to ensure that they’re taking all necessary measures to prolong the life of their dental implants.