Are you interested in a dental implant to replace your missing tooth? Patients who come to us here at Confidental Care ask us the same question; “How long will my dental implant last?” The good news is that a dental implant is a long lasting, permanent solution for your missing or lost tooth. Here is everything you need to know about the life expectancy of a dental implant.
Yes, a dental implant is a long-lasting, permanent, lifelong solution for those missing teeth. A dental implant consists of an artificial root which is fused to your jaw bone for Osseo integration purposes. Studies have shown that a dental implant has a 90 to 95 percent success rate for a period of 10 years.
However, it is important to note that although a dental implant is permanent, the crown attached to the implant will most likely need to be replaced. About 50 to 80 percent of crowns will have to be replaced after a period of 15 to 20 years.
Although a dental implant can last a lifetime, various factors will contribute to the longevity of a dental implant:
Oral Hygiene: A dental implant requires the same maintenance as your other teeth. If plaque builds up around the surface of your dental implant, this can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects your gingiva and jaw bones and can result in tooth loss. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist every 6 months are essential.
Bone Quality: It is important that you have adequate jawbone to accommodate your implant. Therefore, x-rays and scans will be done by your dentist to assess the amount of bone density present.
Smoking: Overall implant failure rates were 11 percent for smokers, compared with 5 percent for nonsmokers. Smoking has shown to restrict blood flow and increase the risk of periodontal disease.
Teeth Grinding: Grinding your teeth can cause damage to the crown of your dental implant or make your implant come loose. Your dentist can offer advice about using a night guard to prevent damage to your dental implant.
Medical Conditions: Having medical conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and immunosuppression can affect the longevity of your dental implant. Other conditions that can affect your dental implant longevity are the use of anticoagulants and radiation therapy.
Surgeon Experience: It is important to have a qualified and professional implant dentist to place your implant. This will ensure that your implant will be successful, and you will have a successful long-lasting implant.
It is essential that you understand the indications and know when to contact Confidental Care. Call your dentist if you experience any of the following signs:
These are just some of the symptoms indicating that your dental implant is coming undone. You may also experience pus coming out of the implant site. The condition is named peri-implantitis.
If your dental implant fails, do not worry. Research has shown that the overall success rate of replacing single dental implants at the same location had an overall success rate of 71 percent. Removing of a failed implant is an easy non-invasive procedure, and a new implant can be placed at the same location. However, if you have bone loss at the implant site, a bone graft may be necessary before placing a new dental implant. This procedure normally takes several months to heal, but it offers a stronger base for your new implant to prevent a failed attempt.
Q: How long does it take to get a dental implant?
A: Various factors contribute to how long it will take to put in a dental implant. The average time frame is 3-9 months including the healing process before the crown is fixed onto your implant.
Q: Are dental implants painful?
A: A local anesthetic will be administered by your dentist, and therefore a dental implant procedure should not be painful. There is also likely to be minimal discomfort after the procedure.
Q: Can a dental implant be rejected?
A: A dental implant is not rejected as often as one may think. This is due to the fact that implants are made from various biocompatible materials. However, failure of the implant can occur more frequently if your bone does not fuse properly with the dental implant.
Q: What’s the success rate of dental implants?
A: Yes, implants are known to have the highest success rate when compared to other restorative procedures. Studies have shown that there is a 90 to 95 percent success rate of a dental implant for a duration of 10 years.
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