Dental Implants: A Permanent Solution for Your Missing Teeth

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Well, dental implants, just like every other thing, do not last forever! But if you take very good care of your dental implant, it can last for 25 years and above.

As a cosmetic option, dental implants are made to replace teeth permanently by providing support to the dental structure. Implants are strongly attached to the jawbone and absorb the pressure of biting and chewing without slipping. There are certain perks to implant surgery: replace missing teeth; restore the jawbone structure by lowering the load on the remaining teeth. By this, jawbone loss is prevented as your natural tooth tissue is preserved, and there's no bone deterioration.

Dental implants come with aesthetic value —you can have a more natural smile! The problem of gapped teeth can be fixed with dental implants; improving self-esteem and confidence. In fact, you can eat and speak easily with implant surgery since the implant post is strongly attached to your jawbone.

Should you decide not to go for implant surgery, there are a plethora of alternatives like dentures, mini-implants, dental bridges, crowns, and others. Knowing how long your dental implants last and its benefits over other tooth replacement options is good.

Let's examine what makes up a dental implant to understand if they are permanent. Basically, there are 3 components:

• Implant - This is the post, base, or root of the implant that's surgically fixed in the jawbone to accommodate the prosthetics like bridge or crown. It's made of titanium
• Abutment - This part is screwed onto the implant to hold the bridge or crown in position. It stays above the gum line.
• Crown - This is made of ceramic and attached to the abutment. It looks like your natural teeth

Generally speaking, the crown and abutment which are visible to the eye can get damaged easily than the implant. The titanium post may last for nearly as long as you live while the crown can last for 15 to 25 years depending on care and maintenance.

How long do dental implants last?

As long as you take proper care of dental implants, it can last for nearly 25 years and above. But this lifespan depends on factors like:

• Oral hygiene - Good dental care like brushing and flossing your teeth two times a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year can elongate the life of your implant
• Teeth use - Do you chew or bite on hard substances? Do you open tricky packages and cork covers with your teeth? How you use your teeth matters! These acts won't make your implant last
• Your dentist - Having your implant fixed by a specialist dentist who understands everything concerning dental implants is great. Your dentist should be able to place your implant perfectly, analyse your osseointegration progress, and other vitals
• Implant location - Where your implant is positioned matters. Implants at the back of the mouth will receive more chewing pressure than those in front. This means they may deteriorate faster than front implants
• General dental health and lifestyle - Heavy smoking and drinking equal implant failure. To keep your implant for a long time, stop this habit before and after having your implant.

Are you considering having implants? We provide affordable dental implants in London at our practice, plus useful advice and answers to questions about dental implants. When you come, we'll help you.

What causes dental implant failure?

It is true that with proper care and maintenance, the lifespan of your implant will be elongated. But some factors can cause early failure of the dental implant. People who have diabetes or other underlying health issues like cancer have a higher chance of implant failure.

Practising poor dental hygiene is a no-no if you want your implant to last long. Bad oral hygiene can cause gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontal disease, which causes the gingiva to recede, exposing the teeth root, and lead to implant failure. So, you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Use a good mouthwash regularly and see your dentist two times in a year to check your teeth and maintain proper dental hygiene.

Oral health issues like bleeding, gum inflammation, pain while brushing or flossing, and any other issue should be reported immediately to your dentist. They could be symptoms of a serious dental disease that needs to be checked out before they cause more harm.

To know more about dental implants and how it works, you can schedule an appointment at Fitzroy Dental Practice today. We have experienced dentists that will diagnose your problem and proffer the best solution. At our practice, we use the latest tools and techniques to achieve the best results in dentistry. Feel free to contact our specialist team in London today.