Dental implants are a great way to replace your defective or missing teeth. But before going forward with the treatment, you should know, how long dental implants last, of course, you don’t want to keep running around for the same treatment again and again.
So, let’s explore:
- What are dental implants?
- Longevity of dental implants based on the types and comparison with other teeth restoration.
- Why do they fail?
What are dental implants?
It is a titanium screw fitted to create an artificial tooth root, which is surgically placed into the jawbone. These help in creating a foundation for artificial teeth, and by the time, these fuse with the jawbone, make is more strong in place. This process is called osseointegration.
Sometimes, due to trauma or not having enough bone density, the process is not conducted on those patients. First, the bone augmentation process is conducted by joining new bone to the jaw, which is harvested from the hip or shin bone.
Longevity of dental implants
These are designed to stay for longer because it is not possible to go through the process after years and years. More than 95% of dental implants successfully last up to more than 10 years.
Key stats related to longevity:
- Survival rate ranges between 95% to 98%, leading to healthy implants for 10 years.
- Failure of implants doubled up because of the bone issues. Also, the risk is higher in the upper jaw (maxilla), because the bone is often less dense in comparison to the lower jaw (mandible).
- Smokers have 2.4 time-odd chances of dental implant failure because they have less strong bone and have 0.5mm bone loss than non-smokers.
- Single-tooth implants have more longevity than others. But with care, multiple implants’ longevity can be increased similar to a single implant.
- Sometimes, due to insufficient osseointegration, overheating of the bone during surgery, pre-existing infection, or micro-movement of the implants can lead to early failure (within 3 to 6 months span).
- Choosing material also influences the lifespan of the dental implants. With proper care, it can last up to 10 to 30 years, or even longer.
Type of implants and their longevity
1. Endosteal
This includes forms of cylinders, screws, and blades, which are placed into the jawbone. This is typically made of ceramic and titanium and can last up to 25+ years.
2. Subperiosteal
This is recommended to those who are unable to wear conventional dentures and have insufficient bone density, and placed on the top of the jaw. These are less durable than endosteal, and last 10 to 15 years.
3. All-on-4
This is an ideal choice for patients in need of full-outh restoration, as four implants are placed to support the full arch of teeth. Depending on oral hygiene, it can last more than 20 years.
4. Mini dental
This less invasive temporary solution is used to replace missing teeth of those who have limited jawbone mass. Last up to 5 to 8 years based on oral hygiene.
5. Zirconia
The most recommended by doctors, as this is aesthetically appealing and highly durable. Mental-free alternative to titanium implant can last more than 25 years if proper maintenance and oral hygiene are performed.
Comparing implants to other dental treatment
Dental implants outlast dentures and bridges because these require the need of replacement within 5 to 10 years. Bridges totally rely on their neighboring supporting teeth, while dental implants are independent, and do not need support from adjacent teeth. Let’s compare dental implants, bridges, and dentures, as they are fond of similar category forms.
| Dental restoration type | Average longevity | Care required |
| Dental implants | More than 20 years | Regular check-ups, minimal care with better oral hygiene. |
| Dentures | Between 5 to 8 years | Need periodic adjustments and recliners, because the bone and structure of the mouth changes naturally. |
| Dental bridges | Between 5 to 10 years | Need replacements due to wear and tear, and decay in supporting teeth and tissues. |
Factors leading to failure of dental implants
Some people enjoy their life without worrying about dental implant failure, and all this is because of care and oral hygiene. But in some cases, even the best option fails because of neglecting the care. Here are some factors that can cause failure-
- Insufficient care- oral care is a must whether you can dental treatment or not. Accumulation of plaque leads to gum disease, tooth decay, and many others. The buildup of plaque around implants can cause pero-implant diseases and lead to failure of treatment.
- Bone density issue- due to peri-implant disease, osteoporosis, and other medical conditions, bone loss happens over time.
- Smoking- it impacts the affected area by interfering with the blood circulation, causing issues with healing and osteointegration.
- Teeth grinding- it can fracture or lose the screw, which can further lead to failure. It can also cause issues with the movement of the implants.
- Age- older people’s bodies take more time to heal from the process, and within this time span, the chances of failure increase.
- Medical conditions- bleeding disorder, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weak immune system, radiation therapy, blood thinning medication, immunosuppressive drugs, and osteoporosis are associated with failed dental treatments.
What happens, when it fails?
There are some potential signs which indicate the failure of treatment-
- Implants move, and you may start experiencing pain and inflammation
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, receding gums, or pus are some major failure signs that cannot be reversed
- Numbness, tingling feeling around the area, and loss of taste
- If you start experiencing any of the signs, don’t wait, visit your dentist immediately. Sometimes, if the failure is timely detected, the implant can be replaced.
Takeaway
A treatment that is designed to give a permanent solution, but sometimes permanent sounds a little too bold, but can be possible with care and maintenance. First, always choose a dentist who has expertise in handling every possible case, like Elite Dental Group.
Their experts are highly professional and have been handling all types of cases for many years. If you are looking for a dentist with a work ethic, expertise, and professionalism, then Elite Dental Group is the one for you. Moreover, not just dental implants, if you are dealing with any dental issues or have some queries, feel free to contact, us or book your appointment.