How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Living a healthy life is challenging when you have severe damage or missing teeth. In addition to making it harder to chew and speak, damaged teeth can lower self-esteem and prevent you from sharing your smile. Fortunately, achieving a radiant, functional, comfortable smile is possible with dental implants. Before scheduling your consultation with Dr. Vinton and the trusted team at Soothing Dental, here’s what you need to know about dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are screw-shaped rods that are made from titanium. They’re inserted underneath a person’s gum tissue and into their jawbone to replace their missing tooth’s root. Over time, the implant and bone fuse together. This provides a solid foundation on which a tooth-colored dental crown can be attached. The result is a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
Why Do People Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution used to replace severely damaged or missing teeth. While there are numerous tooth replacement options available, such as dental bridges or traditional dentures, dental implants offer superior results in terms of appearance, durability, comfort, and convenience. Because they’re placed directly into your bone, dental implants never have to be removed or adjusted. Likewise, they allow you to eat, speak, and clean them just as you would with your natural teeth. They also prevent bone loss, which often occurs when a person is missing teeth. Best of all, no one will know that your dental implant isn’t your natural tooth.
What Are the Most Common Types of Dental Implant Restorations?
Another factor that sets dental implants apart is that they are so versatile. Different implant restorations include:
- Single tooth implant: One single implant is used to replace a missing tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges: This uses dental implants to replace several missing teeth rather than attaching dental crowns to abutment teeth, which can damage them over time.
- Implant-supported or retained dentures: This replaces a complete set of upper or lower teeth using four to six dental implants, providing a more stable and long-term solution than traditional dentures.
Can Dental Implants Last a Lifetime?
Dental implants are a long-term tooth replacement option, unlike other dental restorations that have functionality issues after a while and eventually need to be replaced. Implants also have a high success rate when you follow the proper care instructions after implant placement. Those with certain medical conditions, or gum disease, have a higher risk of dental implant failure. During your consultation, we will assess your risk of complications and determine if you should proceed with dental implant surgery. If you’re not a good candidate, we can discuss options to improve your oral health enough for implants or recommend another tooth replacement option.
The good news is that maintaining the longevity of dental implants is simple with good oral hygiene. Here are some tips to keep your implants in great shape after the healing process:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss daily
- Limit your consumption of foods that are sugary, acidic, or hard to clean
- Visit our dental office twice a year for routine dental exams and cleanings
Soothing Dental: The Best Choice for Dental Implant Restorations
Everyone should have a healthy, beautiful smile. If you think your teeth are too far gone to achieve a smile that you’re proud to call your own, think again. With the help of dental implants, you can look your best, feel confident, and improve your oral health for years to come. The experienced dental team at Soothing Dental is proud to provide quality materials, modern techniques, and compassionate care to ensure that your experience with us goes as smoothly as possible. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how dental implant-supported restorations can improve your quality of life!
