How Long Does a Tooth Implant Last?

Dental implants are an excellent solution for long-term tooth replacement, appearing like and needing the maintenance you give to your natural teeth. However, how long do teeth implants last? The answer to the question depends on the patient’s choices and overall dental hygiene.

The technology around dental implants has evolved over the last two decades to the point where dental implant failures because of rejection or functionality are rare. However, misuse of the implant, diseases, and pre-existing medical conditions are the most likely culprits for implant failure.

What Are Dental Implants Made From?

Dental implants have an extended lifespan because of the material they are made from. The implant itself is made from titanium that is surgically embedded into the jawbone to serve as your artificial tooth root. After recovering from implant surgery, an abutment is fastened over the implant to hold the crown. Finally, a ceramic artificial tooth is mounted over the abutment to provide the appearance and function of a natural tooth.

The titanium implant embedded in your jawbone remains with you for a lifetime. However, the abutment and crown are susceptible to damage because they are exposed and continuously used for biting and chewing food.

What Is the Best Age for Dental Implants?

Dental implants offer the most stable, durable, and natural-looking replacement solution for missing teeth. They are anchored to provide stability, and the implant depends on your jawbone as a foundation. Therefore when assessing when to have dental implants placed, the dentist in Pearland, TX, assesses whether your jawbone has completed development.

Whether you are 20 or 90 dentists, consider various aspects of candidacy when you approach them for dental implants near you. The factors they assess include your overall health, gum health, commitment to the implant placement process, and desire to replace missing teeth with natural-looking and functional artificial teeth. Therefore so long as your jawbone has fully developed, you are not too young for dental implants.

Do Teeth Implants Hurt?

When seeking replacements for missing teeth, your dental anxiety can overwhelm you after listening to the Pearland dentist about the surgical process required when getting dental implants. The term surgery will likely evoke memories of pain in your mind. However, you can rest assured the implant placement process is entirely painless and completed on the same day by the Pearland dentist.

The dental implant surgical process requires drilling into your jawbone to place the titanium post deep into it. When getting dental implants in Pearland, the dentist takes note of your dental anxiety to provide you anesthesia for relaxation and pain management. You receive medications to have before your procedure, and after you arrive for your appointment and are fully sedated, the dentist injects local anesthesia in your mouth. The dentist drills your jawbone only after your mouth is numb, ensuring you don’t feel anything but pressure.

After having dental implants placed, you can expect some discomfort for approximately ten days as you recover from the surgery. However, dentists provide a prescription or over-the-counter pain reliever recommendations to help you manage your discomfort. Therefore so long as you are willing to endure the minor discomfort, the dental implant procedure isn’t likely to hurt.

How Long Do Teeth Implants Last?

With excellent dental hygiene like brushing and flossing regularly and getting six-monthly dental checkups, the implant screw itself lasts for a lifetime unless you develop infections like gum disease. However, your dental crown generally lasts for 10 to 15 years before needing replacements due to wear and tear. However, if you maintain excellent dental hygiene and use the implanted tooth cautiously, you can extend the crown’s lifespan beyond 15 years.

The location where the implant placement occurred is also a factor when predicting the life of dental implants. If you replaced molars with dental implants, the teeth are actively involved in chewing, indicating they will likely wear out more quickly than implants in the anterior region of the mouth.

You must remember dental implants consist of three parts. They are the titanium post, the abutment, and the dental crown. While the titanium post integrates with your body and remains in your jawbone, the abutment and dental crown are exposed to the forces of biting and chewing. Therefore, the implant itself will not fail unless you make a concerted effort to damage the post by inviting infections like gum disease. Unfortunately, you might need replacements for the dental crown or abutment over time due to wear and tear.

If you are concerned about the lifespan of dental implants, we suggest you schedule an appointment with Harmony Dental providing dental implants with advice on how to care for them to extend their lifespan.