Dental implants can be helpful for people who want to improve their smile or regain the ability to chew and speak properly. Dental implants are small metal posts surgically placed on your jaw to support an artificial tooth.
If you are missing one or more teeth, implants can be the right treatment for you. But how long do these implants last, on average?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny metal posts that look like a screw, made of titanium or zirconia materials well accepted by the body. They are placed into your jawbone by a dentist or an oral surgeon to support one or more false teeth through surgery.
The process involves making a small cut in your gums to reach the jawbone before drilling a hole into the bone and inserting the implant. The area is then stitched up and given time to heal. Once healed, the false tooth (or teeth) are placed on top of the implant through another surgery. Replacement teeth can be crowns, dental bridges, or dentures.
However, you must note that while this is a common dental procedure, you must choose an experienced dentist, such as Atglen Family Dentistry (see Atglen Family Dentistry website). Implants can fail at early or later stages of the process for some reasons, and of these is when a dentist places them too close to the nerve in your lower jaw.
Who Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
You should have the following conditions to be a good candidate for dental implants:
- You should have enough bone in your jaw to hold the implant.
- Your gums should be healthy and free of periodontal disease.
- You must be committed to keeping your mouth clean and healthy by brushing and flossing daily and going for regular dental checkups.
- You don’t have any medical conditions that can affect how your body heals from surgery.
- You must have realistic expectations.
In some cases, there are treatment plans your dentist can create, even if you have conditions that make getting dental implants difficult. For instance, if you have insufficient jaw bone, you may be able to get a bone graft, which is a surgery that adds bone to your jaw. This can help make getting dental implants possible.
Similarly, having gum disease does not automatically mean you can’t get dental implants. Your dentist may treat it before moving forward with implant surgery. You may visit this page for an excellent implant dentistry service in Lancaster.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
On average, dental implants can last anywhere from 10-15 years before they need to be replaced. But when you take care of them, their lifespan can be up to 25 years.
How to Care for Your Dental Implants
Here are tips on how you take care of your implants to maintain results:
- You need to brush and floss regularly, just like you would for your natural teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid gum irritations.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for cleaning and checkups.
- Consider quitting smoking. Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to experience implant failure than non-smokers.
- Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions on how to care for your implants after surgery.
Dental Implants Vs. Braces
Implants and braces are two popular dental treatments. Which better suits you depends on your individual needs. If you are missing one or more teeth, then implants might be the better option as they will replace your missing teeth. However, if you have crooked or gapped teeth, then braces might be a better option to straighten your teeth.
When it comes to braces, you also have other options, such as clear aligners, which are nearly invisible. There are a few leading brands with aligners, including Invisalign and ClearCorrect. You can see a lot of useful information here.
Final Thoughts
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They may be expensive, but they are long-term investments that can last many years. Be sure to find an experienced dentist for favorable outcomes. Ultimately, once you get your implants, take care of them by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist for checkups to make them last as long as possible.
