How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The Expected Life of Dental Implants Compared to Alternative Treatments

When considering which tooth replacement procedure will meet your needs, it is worth looking beyond the upfront cost and evaluating the longevity of different options. In all cases, oral hygiene routines, lifestyle, and diet directly impact how long replacement teeth last. Below are statistical averages that will give you an estimate of the permanency of various dental procedures.

Dental implants will typically last the remainder of your life, if cared for properly. A long-term international study showed that 94% of implants were functioning as intended after 15 years.

Denture longevity depends on the type of dentures involved. Full dentures typically last between five and ten years,whereas partial dentures could remain viable for up to fifteen years. However, they often need earlier replacement due to changes in your jaw and gums. Due to the lack of root support, missing teeth leads to bone loss and will cause your facial bone structure to change over time.

When dentures begin to irritate your gums or no longer fit properly,it is time to evaluate replacement options.

Bridges typically need replacing every five to seven years. However, with good oral care and a healthy diet, you may extend the life of a bridge to ten years.

The materials used for implants influence their useful life. An implant consists of three main parts, the implant post, abutment, and crown.

The  implant post  serves as the replacement root. Your dentist will insert a small post made of either titanium or zirconia into your jawbone to server as the anchoring root of the implant. Titanium is the most popular implant material because of its longevity and ability to fuse with the existing bone, allowing your new tooth to function like your natural teeth.

While the titanium material will generally last the remainder of your life, if the gums deteriorate or you suffer from bone loss, the post could become loose and need to be reinforced or replaced.How you care for your teeth directly affects the health of your bones and gums.

The abutment material can be titanium, zirconia, cast gold, stainless steel, or polyether ether ketone (otherwise known as PEEK).

The crown is the part of the tooth you see. The most commonly used materials are resin, ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, or metals such as stainless steel or gold. Two factors that significantly impact the crown’s longevity are the material used and the location of the tooth. The crown is the piece you are most likely to replace.

In general, front teeth last longer than molars because you use the back teeth for chewing foods, so those teeth work harder than your front teeth.

A well-maintained crown should last around 15 years. If you need a replacement crown, your dentist can replicate the tooth without impacting the titanium post or abutment if they are still in good condition.

The material used for dental implants, including the crown, is not susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. However, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene because disease and decay can occur in the surrounding gums, bones, and your remaining natural teeth.

Oral Care Routines affect how long dental implants last. Brushing and flossing teeth daily and regular dental visits help maintain your teeth and add years to their lives. Flossing removes food particles that brushes can’t reach. This is especially important when you have implants because failing to floss can lead to gum disease, one of the main reasons implants fail.

Personal Habits can have a direct effect on how long implants last. While implants are less susceptible to corrosion and cavities, habits like smoking can reduce their useful life. Beyond causing discoloration and stains, smoking shrinks blood cells and increases the risk of gum disease. Statistics show smokers are twice as likely to suffer implant failure than non-smokers.

Other habits that can damage implants include using your teeth for things other than chewing food or biting hard foods or objects. You should not use your teeth to tear open bags, open bottles, or crack nuts. Nervous habits like chewing on things like pencils can also damage implants.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions are among the top reasons dental implants fail, especially in the short term. The presence of cancer or diabetes increases the chance of failure and can drastically shorten the life of a dental implant. Medical conditions can also lead to gum disease or bone loss, which would affect the longevity of implants.

Dental expertise is the last major factor impacting the longevity of dental implants. The experience of a  dentist who can blend artistic skill and who utilizes the latest technological advancements goes a long way to ensuring the long-term success of the dental implant procedure. Utilizing the latest technology in imaging and diagnostic tools helps to ensure the proper placement of the implant post, one of the leading factors to the longevity of the implant.

Final Thoughts

Dental implants are designed to last for decades and remain in place for forty years or longer. Several factors affect how long implants last. These include how you care for your teeth, daily habits, and the expertise and artistic skill of your dentist.

For an implant to last the remainder of your life, the dentist must place the titanium root correctly, the titanium post must fuse with the jawbone, and you must practice good oral hygiene. The absence of any of these three key factors could shorten the life of your dental implants.

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