How Long Do Dental Implants Last? | Robina Town Dental

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How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

8 min read
Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered a permanent replacement for missing teeth and can often last a lifetime. The prosthetic teeth attached to implants may not last as long, but they can also last for many years before they need replacing. How long depends on factors such as their quality, how well you look after them and underlying risk factors.

Your dentist can let you know if you’re suitable for dental implants and give you an idea what to expect at your initial consultation. Read this guide to learn more about dental implant success rates, what affects their lifespan and how you can lower your risk of problems. If you want to discuss your suitability for implants or you have more questions, contact our Gold Coast dentists today.

What's the survival rate of dental implants?

Dental implants have a very high success rate when the procedure is carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced dentist. One long-term study of implant patients found that 90–95% of dental implants survived for at least 10 years, with many continuing to survive for 20 years or longer.

Implants have a high survival rate because they are made from biocompatible titanium that forms a natural bond with the jawbone. This process (called osseointegration) takes several months, after which an implant offers comparable support and stability to a natural tooth root.

The crowns, bridges or dentures supported by dental implants are subject to more wear and tear and may need to be replaced after a number of years, with one study finding that more than half of crowns survived at least 15–20 years. This depends on the material they’re made from and other factors.


What affects the lifespan of dental implants?

Many things can affect the success of your implant treatment and how long an implant lasts. Some of these factors may be in your control to manage, while others may affect your suitability for implants and should be discussed with your dentist.

Jaw density

Most types of dental implants require that your jawbone is dense enough to support the implant and provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth. Your dentist will examine your jaw using x-rays and other imaging systems to determine whether there is enough bone mass present. They may also discuss any relevant health conditions that could cause your jaw to deteriorate over time.

If you do have a small or thin jaw, dental implants might still be an option. Some implant systems require less support from the jaw, or your dentist may discuss a bone grafting procedure to build up your jaw using transplanted tissue. If these aren’t an option, you may need an alternative to implants such as a dental bridge or conventional dentures.

Oral hygiene

Whether you’re replacing one tooth, several teeth or all of your teeth with dental implants, good oral hygiene is important for implanted teeth, just as it is for natural teeth. Even though prosthetic teeth themselves can’t decay, bacteria that builds up on their surface can irritate the gums and lead to inflammation, known as peri-implantitis or peri-implant disease.

If peri-implant disease isn’t treated promptly by a dentist, it can damage the gums and jawbone and lead to the implant failure. Regular brushing, flossing and a healthy diet can help to keep your mouth healthy and lower your oral health risks.

Medical conditions and medications

Certain medical conditions are also associated with a risk of implant failure. This includes those that affect bone health, such as osteoporosis, and other conditions such as diabetes, bleeding disorders, cardiovascular disorders and a weakened immune system.

Some medications and medical treatments may also affect the lifespan of dental implants, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, blood-thinning medications and immunosuppressive drugs. Your dentist will ask about your medical history and any medications you’re taking when assessing your suitability for implants.

Smoking and alcohol

Tobacco and excess alcohol use can impact the healing process and make dental implants more prone to rejection. Some studies have found that the risk of implant failure was more than double for smokers compared to non-smokers, possibly due to its effects on reducing blood flow during healing and contributing to gum problems such as peri-implant disease.

Drinking alcohol can also cause the blood to thin, which can prevent the clotting necessary for the gums to heal after implant surgery, while drinking too much can cause dehydration. Dentists recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 72 hours and committing to giving up smoking during your entire healing period.

Quality of implants and treatments

Dental implants are manufactured by different companies with varying levels of quality. Choosing cheaper implants from a less reputable brand, such as those sold overseas, can often mean they have a reduced lifespan and less clinical evidence backing them up, so it’s important to ask your dentist about the type of implants they use.

Dentist themselves can also vary in how qualified and experienced they are in providing implant treatments. It’s recommended to choose a dentist with extensive experience in implant dentistry so they will be able to design and carry out your treatment with minimal risk and satisfying results.

Position of the implant

Which tooth or teeth the implants are replacing can also determine their longevity. Implants replacing molars at the back of the mouth will be subject to more pressure from chewing and grinding food, which could make the implants and prosthetic teeth in these positions wear out faster than implants towards the front of the mouth.

Teeth grinding

Grinding or clenching your teeth involuntarily (a condition known as bruxism) can put pressure on natural teeth and prosthetic teeth, causing them to damage over time. This pressure may also cause an implant to fracture or come loose, especially during the healing phase. Treatments for bruxism may involve managing an underlying cause, such as stress, or wearing a bite splint to prevent your teeth from grinding during the night.

Accidental damage

Prosthetic teeth attached to implants are designed to stand up to normal wear and tear, but like natural teeth, they can still be damaged, which may affect the implant beneath. Depending on the material your replacement teeth are made from, your dentist may advise avoiding hard, sticky or chewy foods, not opening packaging with your teeth, and wearing a mouthguard when playing any contact sports to help you avoid dental emergencies.

Age

Dental implants have a high success rate across all age groups, but the risk of failure is higher in people over the age of 60. This can be due to slower healing rates and other accumulating risk factors over time, such as underlying oral health and medical conditions.


What if an implant fails?

Although dental implant failure is rare, your dentist will explain what possible warning signs of implant problems and related conditions you should look out for. You should see your dentist if you experience:

  • Pain when biting or chewing
  • Red, swollen, bleeding or receding gums
  • Discharge around the implant site
  • Movement of the implant

Some implant problems can be treated before they cause serious damage, but in other cases, the implant may need to be removed and replaced with another implant or alternative. In the jaw bone has deteriorated around the old implant, a procedure such as bone grafting may be needed and your jaw given time to heal before a new implant treatment can begin.


How to make your implants last longer

While not all dental implant risk factors are in your power to control, there are some positive steps you can take to lower your risk of implant problems and delay a replacement bridge for longer. These include:

Good brushing and flossing

Brushing your natural and prosthetic teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily will help to prevent bacteria from building up and causing gum problems, as well as helping you avoid bad breath.

Quit smoking and heavy drinking

If you smoke, your dentist will encourage you to give up before beginning an implant treatment, due to the higher risk of failure and complications. You should also avoid alcohol for at least 72 hours after implant surgery and avoid excessive drinking generally.

Keep up with your regular dental visits

Your dentist should schedule follow-up visits after your implant treatment to check that you’re healing and adjusting well. It’s also important to keep attending your regular dental check-ups every 6–12 months, as often as your dentist recommends, to help you maintain your oral health and to help your dentist identify any implant problems before they become more serious.


Book a consultation for dental implants in the Gold Coast

To find out whether you’re a candidate for dental implants or to start designing your new smile, get in touch with Robina Town Dental to book a consultation with our highly-accredited dentists today. Call us on 07 5575 9100 or drop us a message.

We welcome patients from all nearby areas, including Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Clear Island Waters, Mermaid Waters, Merrimac, Miami, Mudgeeraba, Varsity Lakes and Worongary.


References

Raikar S, Talukdar P, Kumari S, Panda SK, Oommen VM, Prasad A. Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017 Nov-Dec;7(6):351-355. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_380_17. Epub 2017 Dec 29. PMID: 29387619; PMCID: PMC5774056.

Bader JD, Shugars DA. Summary review of the survival of single crowns. Gen Dent. 2009 Jan-Feb;57(1):74-81. PMID: 19146146.

Dutta SR, Passi D, Singh P, Atri M, Mohan S, Sharma A. Risks and complications associated with dental implant failure: Critical update. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Jan-Jun;11(1):14-19. doi: 10.4103/njms.NJMS_75_16. Epub 2020 Jun 18. PMID: 33041571; PMCID: PMC7518499.

 
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