Not only is your smile one of the first few things that people notice, but it is your teeth that help with everyday activities like biting, eating and talking.
Losing a tooth, whether from an injury or poor dental care, can make you feel self-conscious and even lead to problems with chewing, speaking, or other dental issues like bone loss.
Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth. They work like real teeth and last a long time. In summary, a metal post is placed in your jawbone, and a replacement tooth is attached to it. These implants look and function just like your natural teeth.
Let’s now explore how long do they last?
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
In this section, we have built some of the pros and cons of dental implant treatment.
Advantages:
- Implants are more reliable than dentures and other options.
- They fit seamlessly, making eating and talking easy.
- Implants are designed for long-term comfort and use.
- The implant integrates with your bone over time.
- They don’t require special care like other traditional restorations.
- Implants can last a lifetime, if provided proper care.
- Implants won’t develop cavities like natural teeth.
- They help maintain facial and jawbone structure without affecting surrounding teeth.
Disadvantages:
- Implants can be relatively expensive than other options.
- You need healthy bones and gums for the procedure.
- Some may be hesitant due to the surgical nature, but discomfort is usually minimal and temporary.
Can Dental Implants Last a Lifetime?
People who choose to invest in this relatively expensive dental treatment option, often ask how long dental implants last and if they can last forever. The simple answer is yes, dental implants can last a lifetime if you take good care of them.
How long implants last depends on the following factors listed below:
- Regular oral hygiene
- Quality of the procedure
- Gum health
- Where the implant is placed
- Overall health
Regular dental care, like brushing and flossing, is key to keeping your dental implants in good shape!
How To Avoid Dental Implant Failure
While this dental treatment is reported to be highly successful, there are still chances of failure. Which negates the idea of it being a lifetime solution. Read below to find easy steps to take care of them and increase implant longevity!
- Avoid Hard Foods: Don’t chew on hard foods like ice or nuts that can damage the implants.
- Use Teeth Properly: Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages.
- Prevent Grinding: If you grind your teeth, especially at night, talk to your dentist about ways to protect your teeth like mouthguards.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking can harm your implants and overall oral health.
- Watch Your Diet: Limit sugary and acidic foods to avoid wearing down the implants.
By following these steps, you can help your implants last longer, even a lifetime.
Final Words
Dental implants are a permanent solution to replace missing teeth. They tend to last for over years. For most, even a lifetime. However, there are some easy ways you can keep them safe such as good oral hygiene habits, avoiding hard and crunchy food, avoiding smoking and teeth grinding etc.
If you want to avail dental implant treatment, expert dentists at Pasadena Oral Surgery can help you take up this transformative and fulfilling journey. Call us at (281) 299-0053 for more information!