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As early as the 1950s, dental implants have been in existence andever since their introduction, a lot of improvements have been made to them. The implants that are currently available are almost like real teeth and they also feel more comfortable than what people had to endure back in the earlier development of implants.
Nowadays implants are not just about feeling up space in your teeth, they are returning smiles to many and help them speak better. Many people feel self-confident once they are able to smile again, they also enjoy their meals better.
The Lifespan of Dental Implants
Naturally, as you contemplate getting implants, you would begin wondering how long you will be able to live with them. Well, the general answer would be 25 years. But the durability of the implants can depend on a number of factors. These include:
– First of all, the dentist who carries out the procedure, if they are well skilled, the implants should last longer
– How healthy you are and the lifestyle you live, the stronger your bones and gums, the longer they will last, if you are a smoker, they may last fewer years
– The care you provide for your implants and your entire oral hygiene. Flossing daily, brushing your teeth after meals and avoiding sticky food will prolong the life of teeth implants and the other teeth.
– Chewing hard things may uproot the implant.
Dental Implants for People With Low Bone Mass
In uncommon cases, a person may need to have bone grafting done before they can have the implant procedure carried out. People with low bone density end up that way because of different reasons, it could be an oral disease that causes the bone to degenerate, they could have lost a tooth or they might be deficient of some minerals like calcium. In such cases, bone is taken from the hip and then added to that area in other cases a transplant can be done from another human or an animal. There is also the option of using a material that can substitute the real bone. Such procedures may affect the dental implants cost, but in the end, the person will still have a long lasting implant.
When to Replace Dental Implants
Like we mentioned earlier, many people will go an entire lifetime and not have to replace their implants, however, if you developed a disease that affects your bones or gums, or you do not follow the doctor’s advice, then you will find your implants shaking and eventually they will need to be replaced. It is a good idea not to miss your scheduled dental check-ups to ensure your implants last as long as they should.
Failure
While most procedures are successful, there are cases where things do not go right, this can happen if you end up in a fight or an accident and the implant may go out of place. If the damage is not serious, a skilled dentist can save the implant. It will involve restructuring the area, but eventually, it will heal and all will be good again.
As we have seen, there is a lot at play in determining the lifespan of the dental implants but if all factors remain constant, they should be permanent.