How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

If you are missing one or more teeth, a dental implant may be a great solution for replacing the tooth. Dental implants are anchored into place in your jaw bone, helping to ensure that the tooth is stable and functions like a real tooth. And thanks to advancements, the tooth not only acts like a real tooth, it looks realistic as well. This means that you are the only person who will know that your implant is not a real tooth. If you are looking to have an implant placed, you may have many questions related to the care of the implant and its lifespan. Here are a few of the questions you may have, as well as the answers.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants can last anywhere from 25 years to an entire lifetime. Newer implants are designed to last longer than implants that hit the market a decade ago. As such, when your implant was placed can affect how long it will last. Additionally, how well you care for your implant will have an affect on how long your dental implant will last. Dental implants that are properly cared for will last much longer than implants that are not properly cared for. This is much longer than the seven to 15 year lifespan that other alternatives, such as dental bridges and crowns have. In fact, one study conducted in 2010 found that over 83 percent of all implants placed were still in place 16 years after they were originally placed.

How Do You Care for Dental Implants?

Dental implants should be cared for in the same manner that you care for your real teeth. They should be brushed at least two times a day, you should floss around them and they should be looked at by a dentist at least twice a year during your routine dental appointments. In addition to this, you may want to consider using an oral irrigator around the implant. It helps to remove food particles that can irritate the gums and cause decay. Lastly, keep in mind that implants can stain faster than your real teeth. As such, be cautious of over-consuming food and beverages that can lead to stains, such as coffee, cola and red wine.

What Happens If You Don’t Care for Dental Implants?

If you do not properly care for your dental implants, you run the risk of infection, gum disease and potential bone loss. If the area around the dental implant becomes infected, the implant itself may need to be removed. The infection will then need to be dealt with before another implant can be placed. Not only can this be painful, but it can be pricey and time-consuming as well. Properly caring for your dental implants helps them to last as long as possible, helps to keep your mouth and gums healthy and helps to prevent infection.

What Are the Signs Dental Implants Need to Be Replaced?

There are many signs that your dental implants may need to be replaced. The number one sign that your implant needs to be replaced is infection. If there is infection around the anchor site, odds are, the implant and anchor will need to be removed. If the implant is loosening or wiggling around, it will also need to be removed. When the implant is wiggling, it is loosening from the jaw bone, and there is no way to tighten it. Removing it and reinstalling it is the only option. In some cases, just the implant itself, rather than the anchor and implant system, will need to be replaced. If your implant tooth is cracked, chipped or stained, replacing the tooth may be necessary.

Conclusion

There are many benefits that dental implants have over other options for replacing a missing tooth. If you are missing a tooth, you may want to learn more about dental implants in Mesa or find out if an implant is a great option for you. Turn to Dental Brothers. Dental Brothers is a leading dental practice in Arizona with locations in both Mesa and Phoenix. They specialize in dental implants, sedation dentistry, and emergency dental work. Contact us today to schedule your dental consultation.