How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When we talk about replacing missing natural teeth, the best option is dental implants. Tooth implants have gained widespread popularity worldwide owing to their excellent aesthetics, durability, and complete restoration of dental function. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, over 2.3 million dental implants are placed each year in the US alone.
If you’re thinking of getting dental implants for your missing teeth, you might be wondering whether they are a durable option and how long will they last. The good news is that all the information you need about dental implants is available in this blog. So, read on to learn whether dental implants are as long-lasting as claimed and whether you should consider them for tooth replacement.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the next best thing to one’s own teeth. According to the American Dental Association, an implant is a screw-shaped or cylindrical fixture inserted into the jawbone to serve as the replacement root of an artificial tooth. Over time, the implant becomes fused with the surrounding bone and becomes firmly embedded. This allows dental implants to firmly support artificial teeth over them and restore one’s smile and dental function.
Am I a Candidate for Getting Dental Implants?
Dental implants are for anyone who has one or more missing teeth. However, one should have optimal physical and dental health. More importantly, there should be sufficient healthy jawbone tissue available to anchor the implant. However, if someone doesn’t have enough bone available – whether due to periodontal disease or age – your best implant dentist in South Jersey will restore optimal bone height and quality with a bone grafting procedure.
If you have lost a single tooth, your dentist will replace it with an implant-supported crown. For multiple teeth, an implant-supported overdenture or bridge may be used. Finally, if someone has no teeth, their dentist will replace them with four implants each supporting a complete fixed bridge. This prosthesis is called an all-on-4 complete fixed bridge.
What is the Procedure for Getting Dental Implants?
Dentists replace missing teeth with implants in multiple phases.
- Clinical Examination and Treatment Planning – during the first phase, your dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination to identify the number of your missing teeth and prepare a customized treatment plan. This involves identifying the number and location of the implants needed for replacing your teeth.
- Implant Surgery – in the next phase, your dentist will perform implant surgery under anesthesia. They will make an incision over the soft tissues overlying the bone tissue where implants will be placed. Afterward, they will drill holes in your jawbone at pre-determined sites and carefully screw the implants into position.
Once the implants are in position, they will place healing collars over them, which provide the perfect environment for the surgical site to heal optimally. Finally, they will suture back the soft tissue flap to complete the surgical procedure. Your dentist will also place temporary crowns on the implants to restore your facial aesthetics. However, these crowns are only for aesthetic purposes and cannot be used for chewing.
- Implant Loading – after implant insertion, your dentist will wait for 4 – 6 months to ensure that optimal healing of the implant site has taken place. Afterward, they will remove your temporary crowns and replace them with permanent ones. This process is known as implant loading.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last? Ask best implant dentist in South Jersey!
If you’re fed up with your unaesthetic and uncomfortable removable dentures and are looking for a permanent solution for your missing teeth, then dental implants should be your first choice. According to the American Society of Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry, dental implants are a permanent option for tooth replacement and have very few complications when placed by the best implant dentist in South Jersey.
The lifetime of dental implants depends on several different factors. For example, the longevity of dental implant therapy is directly dependent on the skill and experience of the dentist. Implant dentists specialize in tooth replacement with dental implants. Therefore, they have more skill and experience in this procedure than other dentists.
Similarly, patient-related factors can also influence implant survival. Although implant treatment failure is rare, it almost always occurs either due to incorrect technique or treatment planning by the dentist or due to poor oral hygiene that results in the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implants.
Typically, dental implants can last anywhere between 10 – 30 years, depending on how well we look after our oral health.
Dental Implant Success Rate – The Scientific Evidence
The success rate of dental implant therapy is the highest among all the other tooth replacement options. According to a research study 1, the 10-year success rate of dental implants lies between 92 and 98%. This means that over 98% of dental implants last up to 10 years after their insertion. Similarly, another research study 2 concluded that the 10-year success rate of dental implants is over 96%.
So, we can safely say that dental implants are a long-term and durable treatment option, and have the potential to last a lifetime if placed by an experienced implant dentist and looked after properly.
Tooth implants look, function, and feel just like natural teeth. If you are looking for peace of mind and want to regain your ability to enjoy all your favorite foods without difficulty, then dental implants are the right option for you. If you’re looking for affordable dental implants in South Jersey, Rapha Dental is the best place for you. We have qualified and experienced implant dentists who will ensure that you enjoy a healthy a lasting smile with dental implants.
Book an appointment today and take a step towards your dream smile.
References
- Pjetursson, B. E., & Heimisdottir, K. (2018). Dental implants–are they better than natural teeth? European Journal of Oral Sciences, 126, 81-87.
- Howe, M. S., Keys, W., & Richards, D. (2019). Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 84, 9-21.