How Long Do Dental Implants Last as a Replacement for Natural Teeth?

How long do dental implants last? It is the first question on our patient's minds when dealing with missing or damaged teeth because dental implant failure is a legitimate issue. Most orthodontists address these problems in relation to technology like Invisalign and dental implant alternatives, but these are not the only solutions.

Any dentist like Dr. Silman’s Smile Spa professionals will happily discuss tooth replacement options and why dental implants fail occasionally. These devices have many benefits, and they are an excellent option to replace missing teeth, but our experts offer more about the tooth-replacement decision in the handy guide below.

Why Choose a Dental Implant?

As one of the best implant dentist options in New Jersey, Dr. Silman considers it essential for every patient to understand their options for long-term tooth replacement. How long do dental implants last? The best way to answer that is to consider how dental implants relate to natural teeth.

Dental implants go beyond the purposes of cosmetic dentistry. Many dentists recommend dental implants after a natural tooth removal as they improve overall oral health as a permanent replacement for missing teeth. Implant surgery involves screws and scalpels, but these tools are painless in the hands of a professional dentist and their team like those at Smile Spa.

When a dentist extracts a natural tooth, the interior jawbone gap increases the risk of gum disease and complicates dental hygiene. The natural teeth will move where the lost teeth once appeared, and realignment costs can be steep. Dental implants will hold your natural teeth in place to prevent jaw bone issues and the appearance of crooked natural adjacent teeth.

What Makes Dental Implants Last or Causes Dental Implant Failure?

Implants provide a permanent solution for preventing further tooth loss, periodontal disease, and unusual movements of natural tooth tissue, but can dental implants fail? Yes, but it does not happen often.

A dental implant has three long-term components. Unlike dentures, dental implants can replace an individual lost tooth quite comfortably. Complete dentures replace entire sets of teeth, but partial ones might replace several molars or incisors with three parts:

1.   Dental crowns

Dentists can use a dental crown as part of a dental implant or a standalone solution. A dental crown is a ceramic cap on top of damaged teeth that conserves bone density. It prevents food from entering the tooth, which mitigates dental hygiene issues and sensitive teeth.

A dental crown is the upper layer of a dental implant, responsible for helping you chew, and many implant failures happen when patients do not report damaged crowns.

2.   Abutments

An abutment is the top of the screw that connects ceramic crowns to the dental implant. It protrudes from the gum line, supporting the tooth while fastening it to the root.

3.   The Implant

The root of the dental implant is the most important part, connecting to the jawbone and holding the abutments and crowns in place. A dental implant is either a zirconia or titanium screw, anchored beneath the gum line to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting near missing teeth gaps.

Zirconia dental implants are a newer technology, but dentists are hopeful about their average lifespan. Titanium implants last for fifteen to twenty years and are much less prone to bending or breaking than competing zirconia models. A dental implant consultation with Smile Spa will assist you in making a final decision.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

With regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene, dental implants can outlive most patients. When forensic analysts conduct autopsies, dental implants often help them confirm identities and even eating habits. If you are considering a dental implant, flossing, brushing, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly is an excellent habit.

If you take proper care of your dental implant, it will return the favor. Zirconia and titanium dental implants are biocompatible and quite capable of lasting a lifetime. However, without a dental visit every six months, there is a higher risk of the implant coming loose.

Excellent dental hygiene and regular visits to Smile Spa are the best ways to mitigate gum disease, avoid an implant failure, or save money by preventing the need for another implant surgery.

Are All Dental Capable of Lasting a Lifetime?

How long do dental implants last? Our dental office hears that question often, and the patient usually means the entire false tooth. The zirconia or titanium implant will never crack or bend unless you practice poor oral hygiene or damage it in an accident.

However, the crown faces chewing force every time you eat and will be the first of the three components to break. A ceramic tooth crown has an average life span of ten to fifteen years before it succumbs to wear and tear. Sticky foods will reduce that life span even further, including gums, sugary treats, caramel, or toffee.

Intensive oral hygiene is best. Brush and floss your implants well, even if you eat sugar-free confections. Hard foods such as taco shells, nuts, and ice will also put your ceramic crowns at a higher risk.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last versus the Alternatives?

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges have a similar function. They hold adjoining teeth in place but do not need screws that mount onto the jawbone. A dental bridge can last ten to fifteen years with proper maintenance.

However, a dental bridge will lose its natural-looking tone faster than a dental implant. Teeth and bridges turn yellow with the consumption of sweets, coffee, and tobacco. It is not uncommon for patients to request teeth whitening procedures when replacing a dental bridge.

Mini-implants

Mini-implants don't use abutments and screws like dental implants. They're small (about the width of a toothpick). Dentists use them to hold dentures in place and replace smaller teeth for patients with a low tolerance for invasive procedures.

Mini-implants have an average lifespan of twelve years, so they are not a permanent remedy.

Contact Smile Spa to Discuss a Solution That's Right for You

Most dentists consider dental implants a final and efficient tooth replacement solution. However, it may not be right for everyone, so talk to the dentists at Smile Spa before making a decision.

Contact Dr. Silman and the smile experts at Smile Spa at (732) 577-1515 or book an appointment online at your preferred location.