In the past, a missing tooth meant settling for wobbly tooth restorations, such as dental bridges and dentures. Today, dental implants have revolutionized restorative dentistry, giving you a beautiful and functional smile. However, when considering the treatment for your teeth, it is fair to ask your dental expert, "How long do dental implants typically last?” An experienced dental provider will explain factors that affect implant lifespan, the changes to expect with your restoration over the years, and how to improve the treatment’s durability to help you understand it.
Factors Influencing Dental Implant Durability
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, resembling screws, that are surgically placed into a healthy jawbone to replace missing teeth. Once the titanium screws integrate with the jawbone, an artificial or prosthetic tooth is attached to them through a connector. Technological advancements over the years have enhanced implant tools and techniques, thereby improving treatment success rates and durability. The restorations feel and look like natural teeth when the procedure is done correctly.
Generally, implants can last for a lifetime with proper installation and post-surgery care. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 90% to 95% success rate over ten years. However, several factors influence the lifespan of implants, including the quality of the procedure, oral hygiene, lifestyle, jawbone quality, and the dentist's experience.
The Type and Quality of the Dental Implant Procedure
The titanium or zirconia screws form the foundation of a dental implant treatment. These materials are highly durable and biocompatible. So, the material's quality will have less influence on the implant's durability. However, the way the procedure is performed significantly affects implant longevity. So, your choice of a dental surgeon and implant type will determine how long the restoration lasts.
After a thorough evaluation, your dentist can recommend an endosteal implant or a subperiosteal. These are the two main types of implants with different procedures and results.
- Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are titanium screws or cylinders surgically placed in the jawbone to provide a sturdy foundation for a prosthetic tooth. The procedure of inserting these artificial roots involves making an incision in the open socket to expose the jawbone. The dental surgeon then carefully drills a pinhole in the jawbone to place the titanium screws or posts. The dentist administers local anesthesia to make the surgery virtually painless.
Once the dentist inserts the screws into the artificial roots at the pinholes, they place the lifted gum tissue back and stitch it over the implant. You are then given time for the screws to fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration. During the integration period, the dentist fits an abutment above the implant and a temporary crown.
The fusion of biocompatible titanium screws with the jawbone creates a foundation that functions like a natural tooth root, which is why these dental implants are considered permanent, as they can last a lifetime once osseointegration is successful. Osseointegration takes up to six months before you can return for the final prosthetic placement. The long wait and need for a healthy jawbone for these implants make some individuals consider the alternative, which is a subperiosteal implant.
- Subperiosteal Implants
Unlike endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants are placed under the gums but sit above the jawbone. It comprises a metal framework popping above gum tissue. Several steps are involved in this procedure. First, your dental expert takes an impression of the jawbone to ensure the implants fit well. They do this by cutting open the gum tissue above the tooth to be replaced to obtain an impression. After the incision heals, the metal frame implant made from the jawbone impression is placed on the jawbone, and the gum tissue is stitched above it. The dentist will give the incision site more time to heal, after which you will make another appointment so they can attach a crown to the tiny metal implant frame protruding over the gum.
With substeal implants, healing takes a short duration because no osseointegration is involved. Additionally, the implants are not inserted into the jawbone but sit above it, meaning you do not require a healthy jawbone to undergo treatment. However, because of these reasons, the treatment is not durable.
Therefore, your choice of dental implant will influence its lifespan. Subperiosteal implants are rarely used because they are not durable, whereas endosteal implants are prevalent due to their durability.
Also, you need an experienced dental surgeon for a successful treatment. The right dentist will perform proper implant design, place the implants correctly, prevent tissue trauma, and attach the prosthetic tooth securely for a successful procedure.
Biological Stability
The durability of your implants in the future depends on the density of your jawbone. Endosteal implants require sufficient jawbone for successful osseointegration. The success of these implants depends on how well the bone fuses with the implant. If there is no proper fusion, you will experience implant failure in the early stages.
So, before the procedure, your dentist must conduct a thorough evaluation of the jawbone using X-rays and 3D imaging to establish if there is sufficient jawbone for the procedure. If there is not enough jawbone to provide a proper foundation for the implants, you will require a bone fusion procedure before the implant surgery. If you do not want to wait long for endosteal implants because of insufficient jawbone, you can go for subperiosteal implants. Still, these will fail within a short period, as the procedure is not durable. So, if you have low jawbone density, consider bone fusion before undergoing treatment to reduce the risk of early treatment failure.
Lifestyle Effects and Overall Health
Another factor that can influence the durability of your implants is lifestyle and habits. If you smoke, your risk of implant failure is 11%, which is considerably higher compared to the risk of treatment failure in nonsmokers, which is at 5%, based on recent studies. Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, slowing down or preventing osseointegration, which is critical for the success of endosteal implants. Also, the reduced blood flow causes nutrient and oxygen deficiency in these areas, making it difficult for the body to fight minor infections.
Systemic conditions, such as uncontrolled HIV or diabetes, can reduce the body's healing abilities, increasing the risk of treatment failure. If you suffer from these conditions, you must keep them under control for your implants to last longer.
Mechanical Stress Due to Poor Oral Habits
Oral habits, such as teeth clenching or grinding, can trigger occlusal trauma that loosens or fractures titanium screws. Repeated grinding causes constant but tiny implant movements, interfering with osseointegration. The mechanical stress from these habits can also cause a dental crown fracture. When dental crowns or other prosthetics are part of the dental implant, it reduces the durability of your restoration. If you have these oral habits and are worried they could damage your implants or prevent healing, your dentist can tailor night guards to protect your investment from excessive pressure while you sleep.
Oral Hygiene
Dental implants function like natural teeth, so they do not require special care and maintenance. However, you must maintain proper oral hygiene because plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums can lead to oral conditions, like periodontal disease, that, if left to progress, can damage the gum tissue and jawbone, resulting in implant failure. So, brush your teeth twice daily, floss at least once daily, regulate your sugar intake, and visit the dentist every six months for a checkup for durable dental implants.
A Quick Glance at the Lifespan of Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime because they integrate with the jawbone through osseointegration, becoming part of your body. When the implant material fuses with the bone, it provides a solid foundation for the artificial tooth. However, dental implants are not just the titanium screws or posts. A dental implant procedure includes other components, such as the abutment and the prosthetic tooth, each which a different lifespan. You need to understand the components and their anticipated service lives to better comprehend the lifespan of dental implants.
- Titanium Screws or Posts
The titanium posts are permanent. The reason for this longevity is osseointegration, which allows the posts or screws to integrate with the jawbone and become one. The posts stimulate the jawbone, restoring its density and volume. Constant stimulation also enables the bone to retain its volume, providing a sturdy foundation, which explains why they are perfect substitutes for the missing natural tooth roots. Because titanium is biocompatible, the bone cements around the metal posts, forming an even stronger foundation.
Research shows that after 10 to 15 years, the success rate of implants is no more than 95% once osseointegration is achieved. With proper oral hygiene and maintenance, these restorations can last twenty to thirty years. If you are a middle-aged adult, implants that last over thirty years are permanent, just like your remaining natural teeth. They will serve you for a lifetime without requiring replacement.
- Prosthetic Tooth
Another component of a dental implant is the artificial or prosthetic tooth, the most common of which is a dental crown. If you are considering dental crowns for your implants, you must be prepared to replace them regularly, as they are not permanent. They are prone to external factors, such as wear and tear, hence the need for replacement when they become damaged. However, dental crowns are also highly durable, as studies show that 50% to 80% of these artificial teeth can last 15 to 20 years with proper care and lifestyle habits.
If you maintain regular visits to the dentist, they can identify signs of dental crown failure and replace it. Replacement is a noninvasive procedure that involves unscrewing the crown from the abutment, which connects the implant to the artificial tooth. A wobbly crown is not a sign of a dental crown failure. So, if you notice your implant is loose, go to the dentist for examination. In most cases, it is the crews that have loosened, and all you need is tightening.
What about the connector or abutment? Does it require regular replacement? Abutments are normally made of titanium, making them as durable as the posts. However, due to external forces such as vibration and pressure, the connector may require tightening periodically.
Tips To Extend the Longevity of Dental Implants
Combining home care tips and professional maintenance can increase the longevity of your implants. The practices you should adopt to maximize dental implants' longevity include:
Professional Maintenance
After receiving dental implants, ensure that you visit your dentist twice a year for a thorough examination and professional cleaning. During these appointments, your dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums, especially in the areas with the implants. The examination helps with the early identification of oral issues that could result in implant failure. If you have plaque or tartar buildup that cannot be removed with normal brushing, the dentist will use a special brush to remove the buildup around the implant, preventing the breeding of harmful bacteria that could cause infections.
Also, during these appointments, the dentist can conduct X-rays to examine the health of the jawbone and whether the implants are improving its density and volume. If any signs of implant failure, such as pus, bleeding, inflammation, or redness around the implant, are identified, the dental expert can address them with local treatments.
Homecare Tips
Another way to preserve your implants is to adopt healthy dental home care practices. These include brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and low-abrasion toothpaste around the dental crown. To prevent bacteria buildup along the gum margins near the dental implant, you can use an electric toothbrush, as it is more effective in plaque and debris removal in these sections.
Similarly, use a water flosser or an interdental brush to remove debris lodged in deep gum-margin pockets. They are also effective at removing debris around the abutment. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet to enhance dental implant stability. Taking these simple measures at home can improve the longevity of your restoration.
Find an Experienced Dental Implant Dentist Near Me
The ability of dental implants to fuse with the healthy jawbone, becoming one with it, makes these dental restorations permanent. However, there are instances when the treatment fails, although the chances of failure are minimal. Whether your treatment succeeds or fails depends on factors such as lifestyle, choice of implant procedure, jawbone density, and overall oral hygiene.
At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we have experienced dental professionals who will conduct a thorough examination before the implantation. After successful treatment, we provide professional maintenance and home care tips to improve the lifespan of your restoration. Call us at 818-751-5100 today if you are considering dental implants in Encino, CA, to learn about their lifespan.
