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Thanks to the process of osseointegration, dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement. With good care, your new dental implant could last for the rest of your lifetime. But, what factors influence the lifespan of dental implants? In this post we are going to answer the question ‘do dental implants last forever’ and what you can do to extend their lifespan.

 

Why Does A Dental Implant Last For A Long Time?

Dental implants are placed in the jaw bone during a surgical procedure. They are mostly crafted from zirconia or titanium alloys, both of which are biocompatible materials that are well tolerated by the body. Over a period of a few months, your jaw bone grows around it, integrating it so that you can exert the same bite and chewing force as with your natural teeth.

 

 

Do Dental Implants Last Forever?

With good care, implants can last for as long as 30 years or the rest of your lifetime.

There are a few factors that can influence how long a dental implant lasts:

  • Your standard of oral hygiene
  • Trauma to the implant
  • Your lifestyle
  • The position of the implants in your mouth
  • Medical conditions and medication

 

Your oral hygiene

In order to last a long time, your dental implants need healthy gum tissue and underlying bone. Maintaining an excellent standard of dental hygiene will ensure that your plaque is kept to a healthy level and that your gums are free of infection and gum disease. In the event that plaque is allowed to accumulate around the base of your implant, you could develop a condition known as peri-implantitis, which could compromise its stability. 

 

Trauma to the implant

Sydney Dental implant

An injury or trauma to the site could cause implant failure at any stage after it has been placed. Some traumas, like an injury to your face, are unavoidable. But, avoiding hard and sticky foods and not relying on your teeth as tools can help you to avoid unnecessary damage to your dental implant.

If you grind your teeth at night, it is advisable to invest in a mouthguard to protect your dental implants against the pressure of bruxism.

 

Lifestyle choices

During your recovery period, it is important to abstain from drinking alcohol and smoking. Smoking interferes with your body’s ability to heal and increases your chances of developing an infection that can lead to implant failure. A dentist that offers consultation is quite likely to tell you to quit smoking before considering this type of tooth replacement because it elevates your chances of implant failure. Visit this link to learn more.

 

The position of the dental implants

All the teeth in your mouth perform different functions related to eating food. Your molars, for example, undergo more bite force than your front teeth. For this reason, dental implants at the front of your mouth could last for a longer period than those placed in the back.

 

Medical conditions and medication

Suffering from diabetes or other medical conditions that interfere with your body’s healing ability put you at increased risk of complications and infection. Managing chronic conditions is key to having implants that last a long time. If you get a dental consultation near you, your dental practitioner will be able to evaluate if you are a candidate for implants.

 

Maintaining Your Implants

Perth Dental ImplantsMaintaining excellent dental health could ensure your implants last for a long time, even the rest of your lifetime. In addition to brushing and flossing twice a day, you also need to visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your prosthesis and make sure that all plaque is removed from the surfaces of your teeth and below your gum line to promote gum health. 

If there are any signs of a problem, you have a better chance of treating it if it is picked up early.

 

Signs Of Implant Failure

An implant that moves around or causes you to feel pain when biting needs to be investigated by your dentist.

Some of the warning signs of peri-implantitis include

  • Swelling
  • Tenderness or pain
  • Redness at the site
  • Receding gums

Having peri-implantitis doesn’t mean all is lost. 70% of implants replaced at the original implant site have been found to be successful. The key is to report it to your dentist for action as soon as possible.

 

If you would like to know more about ‘do dental implants forever’ or how to make yours last a long time, please get a consultation at your local dental clinic today: (02) 9158 6379.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

 

 

 

References

Are Dental Implants Permanent?
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-long-do-dental-implants-last

Dental Implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants

 

 

 

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