Taking a look at everything you need to know about how long dental implants last. Discover what you need to know about this dental procedure here.

Have you been experiencing tooth problems of late? Maybe you lost a tooth some time ago and need a replacement? Perhaps your crown or porcelain veneer is starting to fail and you need a more permanent solution like a dental implant.

Never fear, dental implants can last for 25 years. You can learn more about the ins and outs of how long dental implants last by reading below.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants are the most permanent solution to missing teeth. They are also done when all other options have failed in trying to restore existing teeth. They look and feel like normal teeth and have the strength to hold up over time.

Implants help to maintain your jaw structure and can help prevent your face from being deformed due to missing teeth. If you have a missing tooth for a lengthy period of time your face can tend to sink in.

Buying dental implants is not cheap, but they're the strongest, longest-lasting fix for missing teeth. If you are in need of a tooth replacement procedure, implants are the best option for the long haul .

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

The benefits of an implant are ten-fold. They are functional and comfortable. They provide patients with a better success rate than dentures do. They won't slip when you chew or bite food.

They are simple to care for just like your original teeth and a great form of tooth replacement. Also, they won't put stress on surrounding teeth. They can't decay and preserve the integrity of your facial structure.

Additional benefits of an implant are; your bone can continue to grow and they last 25 years or longer.

Alternatives to Dental Implants

There are some alternatives to buying dental implants. These include:

Dentures
Dental Bridge
Root Canal Therapy
Gum Disease Treatment

Dentures

Dentures were common decades ago before certain advancements were made in the field. They aren't as good as implants. They don't feel or look like natural teeth and can even be harmful to your mouth.

There are removable dentures and those which are secured in your mouth by wires and hooks. Both can erode teeth and increase the risk of permanent tooth loss.

Root Canal Therapy

With root canal therapy you can keep your original tooth or part of it at least. If you have an infection inside of your tooth it can be cleaned out with a root canal. A crown is then placed on top of the original, reinforced tooth.

Sometimes the root of the tooth is damaged beyond repair and a root canal won't help. In this case, the tooth needs to be extracted and a dental implant can be put in.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge does pretty much the same thing as an implant. However, with a bridge, crowns are put in to support the replacement tooth. A dental bridge is fully fixed to your mouth and they can look pretty good too.

One thing to keep in mind is that bridges won't stimulate your gums and jawbone like implants. What this means is that your jaw can collapse under the replacement tooth. Bridges can also increase the risk of harming natural teeth.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease treatment can buy time for a loose tooth. Perhaps your gums have receded and your tooth came loose? You likely have bone loss behind your tooth but with gum disease treatment the natural tooth can still be saved.

After the treatment and the infection is cleaned out, sometimes the tooth will heal. Your loose tooth can be splinted up against your natural teeth which stabilizes it and allows it to heal.

Some things to keep in mind here are that the success rate is lower with gum disease treatments. Plus, if you keep the original tooth the infections can spread throughout your body.

What Are the Components?

There are three basic components of an implant. These components affect the longevity of a dental implant among other things. The components are:

Implant
Abutment
Crown

The implant is the post or root-like part. It's surgically inserted into the jawbone and typically made out of titanium.

The abutment screws onto the post or implant. It holds the prosthetic in place from above the gumline.

The crown is part of the tooth replacement that looks just like a natural tooth. It's made of ceramic and acts like an ordinary tooth. The crown fastens to the abutment.

The abutment and the crown tend to get damaged or deteriorate faster than the actual implant since they are exposed.

Crowns typically last up to 25 years depending on how they're cared for and maintained. The longevity of dental implants can span a lifetime.

How Long Dental Implants Last

The answer to the question of how long do dental implants last can depend on several factors. Factors such as how you use your teeth or what your oral practices are like.

Do you chew on hard items? Do you maintain a daily cleansing and flossing routine? Do you go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups?

Other factors are: Where is the implant located? Typically, implants in the back of your mouth will endure more carnage since you use more pressure to chew back there.

Is your dentist skilled ? Whether your dentist does a good job or not affects the longevity of dental implants. Lastly, your lifestyle will be a factor in answering how long do dental implants last.

What Causes Implants to Fail?

If you don't follow a good oral hygiene routine consistently, your dental implant may fail. Not to mention you'll increase your risk of receding gums which exposes the roots and weakens the bone in your jaw.

Inflamed gums, gingivitis, and periodontal disease can cause dental implants to fail. Also, cancer patients, diabetics and those with other pre-existing conditions tend to have a high risk of dental implant failure.

The Wrap

Now you have a better idea of how long dental implants last. If done right and properly cared for they can last 25 years or more. They can even last your whole lifetime.

As mentioned, the benefits of an implant are ten-fold. You'll be provided with a long-term solution to a nagging or underlying problem. Dental Spa Jersey City in Jersey City, NJ offers Dental Implant services.

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