How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime. With good oral hygiene practices, routine dental exams, and regular dental cleanings, you can prevent tooth loss caused by gum disease and decay.
Sometimes, tooth loss can be out of your control, like in the event of an injury or accident. But missing teeth can impact your oral and overall health. Dental implants are a secure structure, a near-natural replacement for missing teeth that help preserve oral health.
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and are designed to be permanent. But it’s important to know that they consist of 2 different parts that have different lifespans:
The implant itself is fixed in your jawbone and can last forever.
The crown attached to the implant may need to be replaced in 15–20 years due to normal wear and tear.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that’s anchored in the jawbone and functions as an artificial tooth root to which a prosthetic tooth is attached.
As the jawbone heals and bone tissue grows around the implant—a process called osseointegration, it forms a strong foundation for a replacement tooth and supports a healthy jaw.
After osseointegration, a small connector post—an abutment—is attached to the implant, which securely holds the new tooth. The replacement tooth (crown) has the same look, feel, and function as your natural teeth.
There are different types of implants:
A single implant can replace one missing tooth. It encourages bone stability, deters bone loss, and preserves adjacent teeth.
An implant-supported bridge replaces several missing teeth. The bridge is held in place by 2 or more implants in the jawbone and offers the same benefits as a single implant.
Implant-supported dentures are dentures fixed to implants and provide a solution for those missing all their teeth. They can be permanent or removable.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants can improve the quality of life for those with missing teeth. Benefits of dental implants include:
Restores your ability to chew
Restores your smile
Prevents jawbone shrinkage
Preserves the health of surrounding bone and gums
Keeps adjacent teeth stable
Factors Affecting How Long a Dental Implant Lasts
Dental implants are very durable and can last many years, but some factors can affect their lifespan.
Improper Care & Maintenance
Good oral hygiene habits are essential for dental implants as they are for your natural teeth. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, which can lead to implant failure.
Good oral hygiene habits include:
Twice daily brushing
Daily flossing
Regular dentist visits and cleanings
Insufficient Bone
Because dental implants are implanted in the jawbone, there needs to be enough bone present to hold them.
When you chew and bite, the force applied to your teeth sends signals to your body to reinforce the bone in your jaw so it remains a solid, supportive base. But if teeth are missing, your body starts to break down the bone that was supporting those teeth, resulting in bone loss. Bone loss can also occur due to periodontitis, osteoporosis, peri-implant disease, or other medical conditions that affect bone health.
During your initial dental visit, your dentist will examine your jaw and the bone quality to determine if there’s enough bone density to support implants. Insufficient bone can destabilize an implant.
Some patients can undergo a bone graft, where bone is taken from elsewhere in the body and fused with existing bone in the jaw.
An all-on-4 upper and lower procedure can be performed without needing bone grafting.
Smoking
Smoking can put you at a higher risk of dental implant failure. Smoking interferes with blood flow to the area and can negatively impact osseointegration and the healing process. Smoking can also put you at a higher risk for gum disease.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding—or bruxism—is characterized by grinding and clenching of the teeth at night. Excessive occlusal overload in patients with bruxism is the leading cause of dental implant failure. It can cause a fracture in the implant, loosen or fracture the screw, or fracture of porcelain on the crown.
Medical Conditions
Medical conditions associated with dental implant failure include:
Weak immune system
Cardiovascular disorders like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and congestive heart failure
Age
Older adults are at higher risk for dental implant failure due to underlying health issues, bone conditions, and slower healing times.
Medications or Treatments
Taking immunosuppressive drugs, blood-thinning medications, and radiation therapy can also lead to dental implant failure.
Dental Restoration for Missing Teeth
Dental implants provide many benefits as a restoration option to replace one or more missing teeth, like restoring the ability to chew, preventing bone loss in the jaw, and providing stability for the remaining teeth.
But it’s important to care for your implants as you do your natural teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending cleanings are vital for the long-term success of dental implants.
If you have concerns or questions about dental implants, contact our team at Shine Dental to learn about the available options and the best long-term solution for your needs.