Lifespan of a Dental Implant
When you are reviewing your options for replacing a tooth or multiple teeth, you will certainly look to dental implants as an option. One of the important questions to review is the lifespan of the dental implant. If you are going to make the investment financially in your mouth and the investment of time in the process, it will be important to know how long you can plan on counting on it to improve your day-to-day life.
It may surprise you to learn that with proper maintenance and care, your dental implant could last more than 25 years. Titanium dental implants have been studied for decades so there is a proven track record of their performance. Zirconia dental implants are newer to the market so there is not as much long-term data, but they are showing similar results as titanium.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacement teeth that both look and act like your natural teeth. The implant itself is set in place by a qualified dentist or surgeon. Once the implant heals in place and fuses with the jaw bone, the dental crown can be attached above the gum line to the post via an abutment. The implant functions just like a natural tooth root allowing you to use the implant the same way you would use your natural teeth. Dental implants provide a durable, versatile and appealing option when you are looking to replace missing or damaged teeth.
The dental implant has three components: the implant, abutment, and crown. The implant is a small screw like post made from titanium or zirconia. It is placed directly into the jaw bone and runs the length of the gums like natural teeth roots. The abutment is a prosthetic piece that screws on top of the implanted rod and sits just above the gum line as the base of the dental crown. The dental crown is the outer covering of the abutment that has the same look as your natural teeth. The crown can be adjusted in shape and color to match the missing tooth and hiding the fact there ever was a missing tooth. It is custom made to fit in the gap between your teeth, align with your bite, and function properly.
Pros and Cons of Having Implants Placed
Choosing a dental implant as your tooth replacement option comes with its own numerous benefits and downsides. Typically the downsides of dental implants are the side effects and those vary based on the type of implant you choose for your tooth replacement.
Dental Implant Pros:
- Supported facial structure
- Improved self confidence
- Clearer speech and diction
- More comfortable than having missing teeth or traditional dentures
- Improved eating experiences
- Better chewing ability
- Better oral health
- Strong durability
- More convenient than dental bridges and dentures
Dental Implant Cons:
- Chance of error when the dentist placed the dental implants
- Possibility of infection
- Possibility of excessive bleeding
- Potential of the implant moving
- For at risk populations, problems with the implant can lead to jawbone deterioration
The pros and cons listed above are the most significant and most common of dental implants overall. When discussing the option of having dental implants with the dentist, be sure to go over any concerns you have. If you share your medical history and your surgical history, the dentist will be able to help you make an informed and personalized decision.
Longevity of Dental Implants
The average lifespan of a dental implant made from titanium is about 25 years, which is significantly longer than any of the other alternatives. That number is an estimate but it is influenced by multiple factors that you can control. Things like:
- Your at home oral hygiene practices
- Your diet
- Your lifestyle
- Your smoking habit or nicotine use
- The location of the dental implant in your mouth
- The experience and training of the dentist performing your dental implant procedure
If you already have good habits of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and using an oral rinse, then you can plan on maximizing the lifetime of your dental implant. Maintaining your twice yearly dental appointments for professional cleaning and exams will be able to address any issues before they get worse.
It is very important that you choose to work with a dentist who has had specialized training in dental implants and who has extensive experience. When you are replacing a missing tooth, it is important that the dentist places the implant in the best spot to absorb the force of chewing and that aligns with your bite. Finally, when choosing the dental crown, the dentist will need to ensure that the crown matches the shape, size and color of the surrounding teeth to give you the best aesthetic results.
Why Dental Implants Fail
If your dental implant does not last the average 25 years, there are a few reasons why your dental implant failed. If you take the time to understand where you can make better choices, then you can avoid looking into replacing or repairing your dental implant.
- Wear and Tear – If you are someone who uses their teeth to open packages, to pull the cork out of bottles, or to chew on non-food items like pen caps, then you will reduce the lifespan of your dental implant. It is more common that if you are replacing a tooth in the back of your mouth with a dental implant, it will need to be replaced sooner than one that replaces a tooth at the front of your mouth.
- Unhealthy Habits – Habits like smoking cigarettes and nicotine use can weaken the blood vessels in your gums and cause your gums tissue to be weak. Excessive alcohol consumption is another way to weaken your body and cause damage in your mouth. These habits will most certainly shorten the lifespan of your dental implant.
- Medical Conditions – Diabetes, cancer, gum disease, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis are just a few of the medical conditions that can cause your dental implant to fail.