Dental implants are the highest quality tooth replacement option available. If you have a missing tooth or a tooth that needs to be extracted, it can be replaced with a dental implant. A dental implant is the most natural looking and functioning tooth replacement. It will blend right in with the rest of your teeth in appearance and chewing capabilities.
When it comes to dental implants, one question that is commonly asked is: how long do dental implants last? Here’s what you can expect in terms of longevity of a dental implant.
Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime
Once a dental implant is solidly in place, it can last for the rest of your life. Dental implants are designed to last because of their technology and biocompatibility. Implants can even last longer than your natural teeth, as they are not susceptible to cavities and other dental problems.
How Dental Implants Work
The reason dental implants last forever is the way they are designed. A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces your natural tooth root. The implant is surgically placed directly into the jaw bone. The post has threads like a screw that allow it to form a secure hold. Titanium is a biocompatible material that fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Once this fusion takes place, the bond is extremely strong. It provides the same bite strength as a natural healthy tooth.
After the implant fuses with the bone, an artificial crown is attached to the top. The crown is typically made of porcelain like most dental crowns because it resembles natural tooth enamel and it is strong enough to withstand the force of chewing.
The Crown Portion May Need to be Replaced
While the implant portion can last forever, the crown portion that shows above the gum line will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. A crown can last as long as 10-15 years before needing to be replaced. The good news is that the crown portion is easy to replace and costs much less than the original cost of the dental implant.
Dental Implants Help Your Natural Teeth Last Longer
By replacing one or a few missing teeth with dental implants, you are also helping your remaining natural teeth to last longer. How? For one, replacing a tooth when it is missing or decayed helps your other teeth stay in their proper position in your mouth, rather than shifting out of place and into the gap where the tooth used to be.
Another way a dental implant will protect your natural teeth is by allowing you to avoid getting a dental bridge. A bridge is another tooth replacement option that attaches to the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. It involves filing down those teeth and placing crowns over them. Through this process you permanently lose healthy tooth enamel. And over time the bridge can damage the healthy teeth that act as its anchors.
Dental Implants Also Protect Your Bone Health for a Lifetime
When a tooth is missing from your mouth, the support structures for that tooth, including the gums and the jaw bone, will eventually deteriorate. The bone will actually shrink and dissolve in the place where the tooth once was. Patients who have multiple missing teeth will notice that it affects their facial structure over the long term.
Dental implants help to preserve the bone structure of your jaw in a lasting way. As long as your dental implant stays in place, the bone will stay strong around it. But it is necessary to take care of your teeth and dental implants according to your dentist’s instructions in order for them to last.
Glassman Dental Care Provides Dental Implants that Last
Another important factor in dental implant longevity is the original placement procedure. Dental implants must be placed accurately in order for the implant to properly bond with the bone. Glassman Dental Care uses guided placement technology to ensure that implants are placed at the correct depth and angle. We also perform a thorough prescreening to ensure your jaw can adequately support an implant.
Call 212-787-4860 or contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to providing you with lasting tooth replacement.