Patients with missing teeth or have teeth that need to be removed because of an infection always ask us how long their dental implants will last. This article clarifies the different types of dental implants, and how long they should last if they are taken care of properly.
In the dental industry, the consensus is clear. Dental implants can last longer than 25 years if proper oral care is maintained, and if the patient is careful with what and how they eat. Assuming the patient makes sure to schedule regular dental checkups, flosses, brushes, and is careful with what they eat, the ceramic, porcelain, composite resin, and titanium metal materials used in an implant can last a lifetime.
There are 4 types of material used in the manufacturing of an implant, and they are as follow:
| Materials used in implants |
|---|
| Titanium metal |
| Porcelain |
| Resin |
| Ceramics |
Implants didn’t always last very long and underwent many issues integrating with the gums and bone until the technology started to improve in the early 1990s. Before that time many implants failed and it is only recently (past 20 years) that they have become stronger and better at fusing with the jaw bone and gums.
Now implant complication failure rates are quite low, with a success rate of up to 98%.
The Average Lifespan of an Implant
Although dental implants can last up to and beyond 25 years, the average lifespan of an implant is between 10 to 15 years before it degrades and needs to be repaired or replaced. Even though the majority of implant dental patients eat carefully and practice regular oral maintenance, they sometimes forget they have them and begin to slack with their regular maintenance procedures.
Mitigating Factors
Yes, dental implants can last up to 25 years, but several factors determine how many years you get from your implants, including:
- Your oral care routine: your daily oral care routine determines how many years your implants will last.
- The skill of your dentist: your dentist plays a major role in the longevity of your implants.
- Lifestyle choices: your overall health will also determine the number of years your implants will remain strong, durable and healthy.
Implants feel very natural so its quite easy for a patient to forget they have them. This can easily lead to neglect and a reduction in regular oral care. This is why dentists always advise their implant patients to schedule regular checkups and follow the basic maintenance procedures to keep their implants strong and healthy for as long as possible.
The Permanency of Implants
Generally, implants are meant to be a permanent solution to missing teeth. With proper care, they can last a lifetime but there are circumstances when the crown of the implant needs to be replaced because of damage. Over time, the root of the implant fuses with the jawbone and maintains it’s permanency but it can also become loose of the bone starts to decay.
Like natural teeth, if proper oral care is not practised, plaque and tartar will accumulate around the implant. This buildup can be avoided with professional cleanings and regular checkups which are necessary to keep implants healthy.
