A patient guide to helping your teeth implants last a lifetime
When you need to replace a missing tooth—or multiple teeth—you might think about getting dental implants. Designed to look and feel like natural teeth and fitted securely into the jaw, dental implants are an attractive and long lasting, tooth replacement option. Assuming you look after them.
Maximising the longevity of your dental implants relies on practising good oral hygiene habits. In this guide, we’ll explain what those are. But first let’s discuss how long a dental implant will (realistically) last.
How long do dental implants last?
There are three parts to a dental implant.
- The titanium screw, which is fitted into and fuses to the jaw.
- The titanium abutment attaches the implant to the prosthetic crown.
- The prosthetic dental crown that’s designed to look like your natural teeth.
The titanium elements are built to last forever. And once the screw-like implant has fused with the jawbone, it’s there for life. (The need to remove an implant from a healthy mouth is extremely rare.)
Prosthetic crowns are milled from zirconia ceramic. Although they’re strong, it’s still possible to damage them. (Just like natural teeth.)
Damage is more likely if you’re the type of person who uses their teeth to open bottles, cut fishing line, or chew through hard lollies. Bruxism (grinding your teeth) can also damage prosthetic teeth.
If the bridge or crown cracks or chips, it’s removed, repaired, and replaced.
The total lifespan of a dental implant
Dental implants can last 10-20 years.
Dental implant crowns can last 15 years or more, assuming there’s no damage.
The titanium elements of an implant can last forever, but this relies on:
- good oral hygiene
- there being no medical need to remove them
- no encounters with medications that can weaken bones. (For example, chemotherapy.)
Do full mouth implants last longer?
Full mouth implants last just as long as a single dental implant. Like the crown of a single implant, the bridge or full arch used for All on 4 is made from hard-wearing ceramic.
One thing we know for sure is that full mouth implants last longer than dentures. Because removing, cleaning and replacing dentures increases the risk of accidental damage.
Getting the most out of your dental implants
How long dental implants last comes down to two things.
- How healthy your gums and jawbone are before the implant is placed.
- How well you look after your teeth and gums after the procedure.
If you want your implants to last 20 years or more, here’s what needs to happen.
Before they’re fitted
Getting implants takes longer than a day. For treatment to be a success, there’s groundwork for you and your dentist to do before the implant is placed.
To make sure you’re ready, and that your gums and jaw will heal as they should, your dentist will check that:
- there are no signs of gum disease
- your jaw is strong and healthy
- none of your current teeth are decaying
- you’re in overall good, physical health.
Your dentist will work with you to correct any current oral health challenges before going ahead with implant treatment. The success rate of dental implants when placed in a healthy mouth is extremely high, so treating underlying issues first makes sense.
Your dentist may also ask if you’re a smoker. And if you are, you’ll be encouraged to stop. This may sound bossy (who is your dentist to tell you how to live your life?) but smoking is a cause of implant failure.
Once they’re in place
You care for dental implants and full mouth implants by following the same good oral health routine as you do for natural teeth.
- Brush with either an electric or manual soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Brush twice a day. Once in the morning and once before you go to bed.
- Floss once a day using superfloss or a Waterpik.
- Use regular toothpaste. Toothpastes that advertise as whitening or brightening, such as charcoal toothpastes, may affect the implant crown.
- See your dentist for regular checkups. This might be once or twice a year, depending on your oral health needs.
For more detail, see our article about cleaning dental implants and full mouth implants.
Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland
Getting dental implants isn’t something you decide on a whim. Understanding treatment costs, expected outcomes and time frames is vital, so you can evaluate your options, make a plan and when you’re ready, hit ‘go.
Whether you’re just starting out at the start of your dental implant journey or you’re ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help.
Using the latest digital dentistry technologies and high quality dental implant products allows us to deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond. Contact us and our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss your concerns, the procedure, the timelines and the estimated cost for your treatment.
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