If you’re looking into getting dental implants, you’ve probably heard about their incredible longevity. Over 95% of dental implants are still going 20 years after they’re placed. Compare that to dentures and bridges, which typically have to be replaced after 7-10 years of consistent use. What may not be clear, however, is why that is. Knowing what makes dental implants so enduring is key to making them last even longer. To help, here’s a quick guide to everything you might need to know about how long dental implants are expected to last, and why.
Implants are Made of High-Quality Materials
An implant is made up of three parts: The titanium post, the porcelain crown, and the abutment that connects the two. The reliability of dental implants is due in large part to how stable these materials are. In particular, the titanium that holds your dental implant in place is a massive credit to its longevity. Titanium is durable, resistant to corrosion, and has good compatibility with the body’s hard tissue. For those reasons, its use has become standard in implants of all kinds. The high-quality titanium that dental implants are composed of makes healing easy, and ensures your dental implant’s long-term viability.
Dental Implants are Secured to The Jawbone
Once osseointegration is complete, the dental implant is completely fused to the jaw. That seal is as secure as any in your body. Barring serious issues (like severe infection) the dental implant should stay in that spot for decades. As a side note, this has the added benefit of stopping the process of bone loss that may have begun after you lost your tooth, which will keep your face looking full and healthy.
Dentists Receive Extra Training Just for Implants
It’s been shown that the top determiner of a dental implant’s success is the dentist who puts it there. An experienced implant dentist will be able to walk you through every step of the process, and they can direct you to the necessary oral surgeons and specialists. These specialists receive extra training on top of their already-intense schooling to further their understanding of the particular way that implants affect the body. When it comes to dental implants, they’ve seen it all. They’re familiar with all the things that could go wrong, and how to prevent them from happening.
If you’re looking into dental implants, you might find it almost unbelievable that they can last so much longer than other tooth replacement options. Now that you know why that’s the case, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision about whether they’re right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino has been practicing dentistry for nearly 40 years, and he puts the expertise he’s developed in that time to work for his patients. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Harvard College in 1980 and received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He partners with the best implant experts in Medford to craft treatment plans for his patients. If you have any questions about the longevity of dental implants, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (781) 396-3800.