April 26, 2023
If you are scheduled to get dental implants, you might wonder how long they last. Dental implants serve as a permanent solution for missing teeth, and they are designed to last a long time so you can enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.
Keystone OMS in Hermitage, PA, has been offering dental implant services to patients for many years. Here are some of the common questions patients usually ask about dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your mouth to replace missing teeth.
Titanium is the material of choice for dental implants because it is extremely durable and made to last. The titanium posts fuse to the jawbone over time, which is how dental implants become a permanent part of your smile.
How Long Do Dental Implants Really Last?
A study published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that 95% of dental implants remained just as healthy 30 years later as they were on the day of implantation.
In reality, dental implants often last much longer. As long as you care for your dental implants by visiting your dentist regularly and practicing healthy oral hygiene habits, you will likely be able to enjoy your implants for the rest of your life.
Real Patient Results
When Do Implants Not Last?
Your implants can last for a long time with a healthy oral hygiene routine and regular dentist visits. However, there are cases of implants failing.
Bad Hygiene
Your dental implants will only last if you maintain good oral health. You should think of implants as your teeth in this way — the only way to keep them healthy is to care for them.
There is a form of gum disease, peri-implantitis, which causes the jaw bone to shrink. When this happens, your implants have nothing to fuse to, which may cause them to fail. However, you can avoid peri-implantitis by caring for your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly.
Restorations
The dental implant, comprised of a titanium post and abutment, is a permanent addition to your smile. But the restorations added on top of the implant, which serve as the chewing surface of your teeth (like bridges, crowns, or dentures), can wear down over time.
The schedule for replacing implant restorations is usually every decade or so and is a simple, non-surgical procedure that does not affect the surrounding teeth or the functionality of current implants.
Caring for Your Implants
Keystone OMS serves patients in Hermitage, PA, and the surrounding communities. Proper hygiene practices and regular dental visits can allow you to enjoy dental implants for the rest of your life.
