How long do dental implants last?

Research in modern dentistry has created great innovations including the dental implants. So, what are they? Dental implants are titanium tooth roots dentists place on the jawbone beneath the gum line for mounting replacement teeth. Having been invented in 1952 by Ingvar Brånemark, dental implants quickly became popular. Research on dental implants continued for over four decades until scientists came up with implants that felt like natural teeth and help improve people’s self-esteem. Today, more people are opting for this procedure to replace missing teeth. With a rise in dental implants, questions surface like ‘how long do they last’? In this article we’ll take a closer look at this.

How long do dental implants last? 
Dental implants are a superb choice for many people because they last a long time. For long term (more than thirty years), patients missing all their teeth have shown 80 to 90 % success rate with dental implants. The success rate is much more for patients missing one or several teeth as recent studies indicate a 95% success rate. In addition, dental implants last longer compared to other implant replacement in the body such as the knees or hips.

Dentists estimate the lifespan of dental implants to be 25 years as most of the studies have not gone beyond 30 years. Similar to the natural teeth, the longevity of the dental implant depends on mouth location. The reason is that the implants located at the back of the mouth are susceptible to more strain from chewing. Consequently, they can fail quicker compared to those implants at the front of the mouth.

The lifespan of a crown implant is between 10 to 15 years, but with good hygiene, this could be extended. Putting the implants is one thing but maintenance the other. Therefore, once the dental implant has been successful, many factors determine how long they will last.

What are the factors that might affect how long they last?
The most important factor that may affect your dental implant’s lifespan is oral hygiene. Dental implants may not be real teeth but neglecting them causes a coating of bacteria capable of an inflammation of the gums. Like the natural teeth, the dental implants need to be brushed with a soft toothbrush twice a day. Flossing can be useful to keep the dental implants clean and healthy for a long time.

The longevity of the dental implants depends on regular check-up. This allows the dentist to notice issues early and recommend the most effective treatment. Hygiene appointments are crucial to support the health routine maintained at home. Check-ups should be done twice a year to check the oral status and advise the patient on how to keep the implants clean for a long time. Ultimately, the lifespan of dental implants depends on how well they are taken care of. It is not about successfully putting the implants in, but the aftercare is everything also. Simple methods like visiting the dentist for a regular check-up and maintaining oral hygiene help care can help immensely for the implants.

Interested in dental implants? Visit our dedicated section now to find out further information.

Looking for more information?

Require a dental appointment, or are looking for cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening in Tamworth, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, for a tailored and friendly service.