How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth, it can be difficult to feel confident in your smile. You might avoid seeing or meeting people because you’re not comfortable showing off your teeth. Likewise, a lack of dentition can make it difficult to eat and chew normally. Not only does this mean that you’ll need to avoid your favorite foods, but it can increase the chances of choking because you’re not able to chew properly. Dental implants are a great way to enhance your smile and fill in areas where natural teeth are missing.
Understanding How Implants Work
A single dental implant looks like a small rod of metal. Implants are typically made of titanium, which allows them to last for a long period of time and withstand a lot of pressure and force. The implant itself is surgically inserted into the jawbone, where it is given time to bond with the bone around it. Once this occurs, we can make a restoration that will fit perfectly over the implant’s foundation. For single teeth, this involves making and placing a dental crown. For multiple teeth, we can make either a fixed bridge or an overdenture that will fit firmly over the freshly healed implants.
How Long Will Implants Last?
Dental implants can easily last for decades because of how durable and sustainable they are. The titanium implant fuses with the underlying bone, so it is impervious to breaking or cracking. The restoration that is placed over the implant will have a specific life span, so it will need to be replaced more often. The implant itself should never need to be repaired or replaced. This is why many dental professionals think of implants as a permanent solution to many smile problems.
Tips for Keeping Your Implants Healthy and Stable
The best way for you to keep your implants healthy and stable is with proper oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is important because it prevents instances of gum disease, which could lead to eventual tooth and bone loss. If you suffer bone loss in the area of an implant, it will cause the restoration to become loose. If this happens, the implant will need to be removed and a bone grafting done before it can be replaced.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants, call our office today to talk to one of our professional and friendly team members.