Dental Implant Lifespan: How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
If you’re considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you’re probably wondering about how long they will last. After all, dental implants are a serious investment in your smile and oral health.
The good news is that with proper care and maintenance, All-On-4 dental implants can last for many years — and in many cases, a lifetime. Let’s talk more about what you can expect from your dental implants and how you can make sure they last as long as possible.
How Long Will a Dental Implant Last?
When you get a dental implant, you’re actually getting a three-part restoration — the implant itself, which is a titanium post that’s surgically placed in your jawbone, an abutment that connects to your implant, and a crown that serves as your replacement tooth. Each of these parts has its own lifespan.
The implant post itself can last a lifetime, and research shows that dental implants have a 90-95% success rate over 10 years. Many patients even keep their original implants for 20 years or more.
Do dental implants last forever? Even though they’re meant to be permanent, their lifespan depends on many things, including your oral hygiene habits and overall health.
The crown attached to your implant usually lasts between 10-15 years before it needs a replacement due to normal wear and tear. Even when a crown needs a replacement, the underlying implant usually stays intact and can support a new crown.
Your implant’s location can also affect its lifespan. Implants in the back of your mouth experience more pressure from chewing and grinding, which might lead to faster wear compared to front teeth implants.
How Long Do Mini Dental Implants Last?
Mini dental implants (MDIs) are smaller in diameter than traditional implants, about the size of a toothpick, and we typically use them to secure dentures or replace small teeth. Like standard implants, mini dental implants are designed to be permanent fixtures in your mouth.
While there aren’t many long-term studies on MDIs, recent research indicates they can be just as durable as traditional implants when properly placed and maintained.
How Long Do Tooth Implants Last? Factors That Affect the Lifespan of a Dental Implant
There are some factors that affect the lifespan of a dental implant:
Quality of Your Jawbone
Your jawbone’s density and quality play a huge role in how long tooth implants last. The implant needs adequate bone tissue to fuse with through a process called osseointegration. If you don’t have sufficient bone density, your dentist might recommend a bone graft before placing the implant.
Some patients experience bone loss over time because of their age or other factors, which can affect your implant’s stability. We will carefully examine your bone structure using X-rays and 3D imaging before recommending implant surgery.
Medications or Medical Conditions
Certain health conditions and medications can impact your implant success rates, and diabetes, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disorders can affect healing and bone integration.
Blood-thinning medications and some cancer treatments can also influence implant stability.
If you have any underlying medical conditions, be sure to let us know so we can help determine if you’re a good candidate for implants and develop a treatment plan that takes your health status into account.
Tooth Grinding
Grinding your teeth can put too much pressure on your dental implants. The repetitive force from grinding or clenching your teeth can eventually loosen the implant or damage the crown. If you grind your teeth, wearing a night guard can help protect both your natural teeth and implants.
Regular dental check-ups can help identify early signs of damage from grinding before they become serious problems.
Peri-implant Disease
Just like how your natural teeth can develop gum disease, implants can develop a condition called peri-implant disease. This starts when bacteria builds up around your implant, leading to inflammation and if it goes untreated can progress to peri-implantitis.
Going to your regular dental cleanings and practicing good oral hygiene help prevent these conditions.
You’ll need to brush twice a day, floss regularly, and see your dentist for check-ups every six months to maintain healthy implants and surrounding tissue.
Damage or Injuries
Physical trauma or injury to your mouth can affect dental implants and even though they’re strong and usually work without any issues, they’re not indestructible.
Accidents, sports injuries, or using your teeth as tools, like opening packages, can damage the crown or even the implant itself.
To protect your dental implants, you need to wear appropriate protective gear during sports activities and avoid using your teeth for anything other than eating.
Age
Your age can influence the success of your implant. Older adults might experience slower healing times and may have other health conditions that affect the implants. But age alone isn’t a determining factor and many seniors successfully maintain dental implants with proper care.
The key is working with your dentist to address any age-related concerns and develop a maintenance plan that accounts for your specific needs. Regular monitoring and preventive care become even more important as you age, so it’s important to make sure you go to your dental checkups twice a year.
Smoking or Heavy Drinking
Smoking increases the risk of your implants failing, and studies show that smokers have nearly double the implant failure rate compared to non-smokers. This is because smoking restricts blood flow, which can interfere with healing and increase your risk of infection.
Consuming a lot of alcohol can also have an impact on your implants through the bone. If you smoke or drink heavily, your dentist will likely recommend quitting or cutting back before getting implants. Making these lifestyle changes can dramatically improve your chances of long-term implant success.
The Importance of Dental Implant Care
It’s not complicated to take care of your dental implants, but it does require consistent attention to detail.
Your dental implants are an investment in your oral health and quality of life, and with proper care and attention, they can provide you with decades of comfortable, confident smiling.
Your overall success with dental implants depends a lot on your commitment to maintaining good oral health and following your dentist’s recommendations.