Some of you may already know that dental implants are one of the best dental treatments possible. Overall, their long-term success rate is a staggering 95%! However, being effective doesn’t mean they’ll work forever. Implant treatments have a limited lifespan and eventually wear out over time. As such, they need proper maintenance and care to last as long as they can.
Now you might be asking yourself, “How long do dental implants last?” Assuming so, read on to learn the answer!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
First, it’ll be helpful to go over how implants work in the first place. To recap, they fuse directly with your jawbone to give your new teeth a firm foundation. Consequently, they’ll never become loose or ill-fitting. In fact, by preventing jawbone deterioration, they’ll keep your mouth from changing shape as quickly as it would with other replacement options.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Once correctly fused with the jawbone, an implant can stay in place for ten to fifteen years. Given proper care, though, you could easily expect it to last longer — even a lifetime! Aside from its secure placement, each one is crafted from high-quality, biocompatible materials for lasting success.
On the other hand, dental implants can sometimes prematurely fail. They may need removal in those cases due to poor oral health factors. Said factors include:
- Conditions like gum disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.
- Poor oral hygiene and bad chewing habits.
- Smoking or chewing tobacco.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
With the proper precautions, you should be able to avoid dental implant failure. All it takes is following a good oral healthcare regiment!
As you may recall, dental implants don’t need special cleaning tools to stay healthy. You just need to care for them as you would your natural teeth. That means:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing once daily with a good brand of dental floss
- Moderating your intake of sugary, acidic foods to avoid eroding your natural and artificial teeth
- Seeing your dentist at least twice yearly for regular checkups and cleanings
- Not using your teeth as tools to open packages, containers, or bottles
Even if they have a limited lifespan, implants have the power to restore your smile for many years to come. Talk to your local dentist to see if these replacement teeth would be right for you.
About the Practice
Dr. Laurl Barge is a dentist living in Flower Mound, TX, having earned her dental doctorate from Texas A&M’s College of Dentistry. Since then, she’s committed herself to continuing education with groups like Core Curriculum and the Las Vegas Institute. Her dental treatments are comprehensive, spanning preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. She currently practices at her self-titled clinic and can be reached at her website or by phone at (972)-539-3800.