Lifespan of a Dental Implant
Although there are some variations in design, most dental implants are comprised of three parts: the implant, abutment, and prosthesis. Each part has different longevities, with the implant itself having the longest, at around 25 years, whereas the abutment and prosthesis will likely need to be replaced sooner.
The dental implant, which is typically made of titanium and designed to serve as the root for your new tooth, is the first part to be placed. To help ensure that this implant does not fail and lasts a long time, diagnostic tests will be taken to determine optimal placement. Once this has been determined, your periodontist will drill a small hole into your jawbone and place the post. Once properly positioned, it will take approximately six months for the post to fuse fully with your jawbone. Once it has, the abutment and prosthesis can be placed.
The abutment, which is typically made out of metal or a tooth-colored material, attaches to the post and extends above the gumline and is responsible for connecting the fixture and permanent crown together. While the abutment is more at risk for needing replacement compared to the post, it is possible for both to last the same length of time, provided proper oral care is taken and a person does not experience any trauma to the face.
The prosthesis, which is designed to look and function like your natural tooth, can be made out of a variety of different materials, the two most common being porcelain and ceramic. It can be adhered either with a screw or dental cement. Once the crown is properly positioned and your periodontist has evaluated it for fit, function, and feel, you can resume your normal activities, although you will need to follow a modified diet for some time following initial placement to avoid damaging the new prosthesis. On average, your new dental crown will last around ten to fifteen years, or even longer, provided you follow a regular oral health routine and schedule periodontal exams at least every six months. If you have noticed any issues with your dental implant or are concerned that it may need to be replaced, contact your periodontist as soon as possible.
Importance of Materials
If you are concerned about maximizing the lifespan of your dental implant, it is important to not underestimate the value of using good materials. The cost of having dental implants placed is a very common concern for patients, which is why some may feel compelled to cut costs by using cheaper material types. If you are weighing whether or not to spend a little more money on material that costs a little extra, keep in mind that in most cases, this added cost will ultimately ensure that you have a stable, long lasting solution and an aesthetically pleasing smile for many years to come.
Importance of Selfcare
In addition to considering the importance of material type, another essential thing to keep in mind to ensure a long lifespan for your dental implant is the level of self-care you take at home. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, additional steps you can take to extend the lifespan of your dental implant includes things like:
- Eating a balanced diet and avoiding high sugar or high carb foods.
- Eliminate sugary drinks. If you do drink a beverage with a lot of sugar in it, use a straw to reduce the exposure of the sugary liquid to the rest of your mouth. Once you have finished your beverage, rinse your mouth with water.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Be mindful to not open packages with your teeth, gnaw on pencils, or engage in any other type of behavior that increases your risk of chipping or damaging your dental implant and natural teeth.
- If you frequently engage in high impact activities such as sports, or if you have bruxism or TMJ, schedule an appointment for a custom mouth and/or night guard. Wearing these guards during these activities or while you sleep can prevent additional wear and tear of your dental implants and natural teeth.
- Schedule periodontal exams at least every six months. If the underlying reason why you needed a dental implant placed was due to periodontal disease, you may want to schedule these evaluations every three or four months. During these appointments, your periodontist will perform a professional cleaning that involves specialized equipment to remove plaque that cannot be removed with normal brushing methods. These appointments will also allow them to closely monitor the health of your dental implant and identify and treat any underlying issues early and quickly.
Reasons for Early Dental Implant Failure
Although most patients will not experience any issues with their dental implants, other than the expected wear and tear over time, there are several reasons why an implant may not last as long or fail, which include:
- Lifestyle habits, such as tobacco use or excessive intake of alcohol
- Improper or insufficient self-care
- Underlying health issues, such as diabetes, cancer, gum disease, or autoimmune issues
- Certain medications can increase a patient’s risk of having an implant fail earlier than it otherwise would
- Trauma or excessive damage caused by grinding of one’s teeth or using one’s teeth to open packages, gnaw on pencils, etc.
Schedule a Consultation
Hopefully this overview has given you helpful information about the lifespan of a dental implant, what steps you can take to prolong the lifespan of your dental implant. If you have additional questions about the lifespan of your dental implant or are concerned that your implant may need to be replaced, schedule an appointment with your periodontist today. They will be able to answer any remaining questions you may have, provide suggestions on additional self-care steps you can take at home to increase the longevity of your implant, and if necessary, evaluate your dental implant to determine if there are any underlying issues that need to be addressed.