Month: June 2019

Dental implants have become the go-to option for patients missing one or all of their teeth. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth and several implants can be placed to keep a denture plate securely in place. Regardless of how the implant is used for your own dental needs, many patients wonder how long they last and what should be expected after the procedure is actually done. When compared to other dental restorations, implants are more long-lasting and can provide decades of high-quality use.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are normally made of titanium, which allows them to withstand a lot of force and pressure. They rely on a process that is known as osseointegration to successfully bond with the bone over the course of a few months. Once the implant has been given enough time to heal, a crown, fixed bridge or denture can be made and placed on top. Implants are ideal for most patients, but some individuals may require a bone grafting prior to surgery to ensure successful bonding with underlying bone.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

While many dental professionals argue on how permanent dental implants are, they are one of the more permanent and long-term options for replacing missing teeth. On average, dental implants can last for 20 to 30 years before it’s recommended they be repaired or replaced. However, it’s not uncommon for patients to have implants for a much longer period of time without needing any additional work. What is not permanent on the dental implant is what is added to it within the mouth. For example, the crown, bridge or denture that has been made for the implant will need to be changed at the recommended time allotment.

Extending the Life of Your Dental Implant

One of the best ways to keep your implant in place is to keep up with routine dental appointments. Your bi-annual checkups are essential in checking for problems with the implant that can be fixed early on before they’re allowed to get worse. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy will prevent inflammation and infection in the area, which would otherwise compromise the implant. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily can have a profound impact on the health of your mouth and the restorations that you have and are trying to maintain.

Dental implants are often made of titanium and are used to replace missing teeth. They can be utilized to replace just one missing tooth at a time as well as several in a row or an entire denture. Implants are considered permanent because they can last for 20 to 30 years without the need for repair or replacement. They are a more permanent option when compared to partial dentures and bridge work, since they do not require surrounding teeth to be compromised.

What are Dental Implants?

Titanium dental implants are surgically inserted deep into the bone of the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth. They can even be used to keep a denture securely in place, eliminating the need for adhesives, gels and creams. Implants are ideal for most patients, as they do not require surrounding teeth to be compromised to make room for a fixed bridge. If you are missing a tooth that has fallen out on its own or has been extracted, implants are a long-term and highly reliable option for you.

How do Dental Implants work?

Dental implants rely on a process known as osseointegration to work successfully. This refers to the post of the implant bonding with the surrounding bone over the course of several months. For some, osseointegration can take as little as three months while others may find it takes their implant six to eight months to fuse with surrounding bone structure. Once the implant has been given time to bond with the bone and heal fully, a crown, bridge or denture can be placed on top of the appliance. If there is not enough bone structure for the implant to bond to, a bone graft may be needed prior to implant surgery.

What can be expected with the Dental Implant procedure?

The procedure involves making a small incision through the gums to gain access to the underlying bone. The post of the implant is then placed deep into the bone and the gums sutured to give them time to heal. You will come in for regular appointments to have the implants checked periodically while they are healing. Once they’ve healed fully and been given time to bond with surrounding bone, you’ll have another restoration made for you that will snap or twist onto the implant securely to keep it in place. Implants are a more reliable option for patients missing one or all of their teeth.