How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Floss and Gloss Dental located in Bedford, Texas!
Dental implants are a great way to improve the look and quality of your smile. These implants can replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. The beauty about dental implants is that they prevent the need to compromise surrounding teeth just to be able to replace what’s missing. Understanding what dental implants are and how they work can benefit your quality of life and confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are typically made of titanium, making them a strong and highly durable restorative option for your smile. The implant itself is embedded deep into the jawbone. The restoration is then given time to osseointegrate, or fuse, with the surrounding bone. This process takes about three to six months, though this depends on the patient and their ability to heal. The implant will replace the missing roots of the tooth and a crown, bridge or denture can be made to be placed over top of it.
How Long Will Implants Last?
The reason implants are the go-to option for patients of all ages is because they’re relatively permanent in nature. It’s not uncommon for patients to have implants for 30, 40 or more years without the restoration showing any signs of disrepair. Because of this, you can expect the implant to last for a very long time and provide you with a full, healthy-looking smile. Once the implant has fused with the underlying jawbone, it is considered to be permanently in place and no further treatment is needed.
Tips for Maintaining Your New Implants
The best way for you to keep your implant feeling and looking its best is to practice good oral hygiene at home. This means twice-daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque, which can cause cavities, gingivitis and gum disease over time the longer it is able to sit. Gum disease affects nearly half of all otherwise healthy adults, and it’s the leading cause of both tooth and bone loss. Because implants are embedded into the bone, preventing bone loss as a result of gum disease is the best way to ensure the restoration lasts for decades. You should make it a habit to come into the office twice-yearly for a checkup and cleaning as well.
If you would like to discuss dental implants and how they can benefit your smile, call us today to speak with one of our highly trained team members.