When it comes to restoring missing teeth, dental implants reign supreme. Unlike other restorative options, like dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t slip and they mimic your natural teeth in every way.
A question we frequently hear at Goodman Dental Center is, “How long will my dental implant last?”
While Brian Goodman, DDS, and Tanner Goodman, DMD are implant experts who use strong, durable materials, many factors influence how long your dental implants last.
Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots and they’re the only tooth replacement procedure that bonds to your jawbone. The implant post, or rooted screw, works as a base for dental crowns. It’s made of either titanium or ceramic, and once implanted it fuses to your bone.
The abutment, a smaller connecting post, attaches to the implant, and eventually, a dental crown connects to the abutment. Our team makes all the proper adjustments to ensure your crown fits comfortably and blends naturally.
Dental implants are extremely durable. On average, these artificial roots have a 10-year survival rate of 90-95%.
Some factors can impact the lifespan of your dental implant. While the implant post is rarely damaged, the dental crown has a higher risk of cracking or breaking.
Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. So they must be cared for in the same manner.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease). This inflammatory disease damages gum tissue and can cause bone loss. Since dental implants anchor to bone, this can impact their ability to remain anchored in place.
Practicing good oral hygiene, like regular flossing and brushing, can help ensure your implant lasts for many, many years.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) is a not-so-silent dental implant killer. This condition causes a patient to unknowingly grind or clench their teeth throughout the day or while sleeping.
Teeth grinding can gradually wear down each component of dental implants. A study found that the five-year survival rate of dental implants in bruxism patients is around 70%, roughly 25% lower than the 10-year average survival rate.
Grinding and clenching your teeth adds constant pressure to dental implants, which may result in cracking or loosening the screw or fracturing the crown.
Like your natural teeth, biting or chewing hard objects can damage dental implants. We recommend you don’t chew on ice or hard candy.
Some lifestyle choices may cause complications with your dental implants. For instance, smoking or chewing tobacco raises the risk of gum disease, which can impact how well dental implants anchor to bones.
Patients interested in dental implants should have good overall oral health. That means they should have healthy gums and have enough bone to support the implant. For this reason, children shouldn’t get dental implants because their mouth isn’t finished growing and forming.
Do you want to find out if you’re a candidate for a dental implant? Call Goodman Dental Center, located in Queen Creek, Arizona to schedule a consultation.
