How Long Do Dental Implants Last

Dental implants should last decades and even a lifetime. Proper care is the key to longevity. Rocky Mountain Smiles provides implant dentistry with the highest level of restorative care when replacing missing teeth.

Implant dentist Dr. Bigus and his team offer the same level of care for single restorations, dental bridges, and full-mouth restorations.

Whatever implant system is needed, it requires no more maintenance than your typical oral hygiene. Implant-supported teeth don’t slip (unlike dentures) and mimic your natural teeth in every possible way, even in color.

However, they’re not among the most affordable options on the market, and people often wonder how much value they get for their money.

As it turns out, dental implants are an incredibly valuable tooth replacement option because they work just like natural teeth and can last you a lifetime in most cases.

Some factors should be considered when discussing the longevity of surgically implanted dental implants. To better understand the factors associated with their longevity, let’s first discuss dental implants and how they work.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are surgically placed and made from ceramic or titanium posts. The posts function as tooth roots. The embedded post creates a stable foundation and support for tooth restoration and stimulates and preserves jaw bone structure.

Titanium and ceramics posts are used explicitly in these applications because both are biocompatible. This means they don’t react, have adverse reactions with the body, and won’t trigger an immune response known as a foreign body reaction.

These implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone; the dental surgeon drills holes in the bone, where dental implants are placed. Over time, the jawbone will fuse with the dental implants during the healing stage through the process known as osseointegration.

After osseointegration is completed, the dental surgeon may attach abutments, to which your restorations will be attached. Once fully fused with your jawbone, the restoration will have enough support and strength to support the chewing action of your new teeth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Since they fuse with the bone structure of your jaw, dental implants are designed to act as permanent solutions to tooth loss.

This means they usually last between 20 and 30 years. In some cases, they can last a lifetime, and they’re often marketed as such. However, there’s more to those numbers than meets the eye.

Patients Over 50

Most people who get dental implants are in the 50+ age group, and the average lifespan of humans in the developed world is between 75 and 85 years. Considering the average human lifespan and the implants’ lifespan, people who get dental implants will have them for the rest of their lives.

Patient Under 50

However, what about people in the sub-50-year-old category who need an implant for tooth replacement?

Well, here’s the thing: implants generally last between 20 and 30 years. However, their lifespan is also determined by external factors, such as someone’s oral hygiene and overall health.

Dental implant failure in less than 20 years is rare for younger people with good dental hygiene.

Implant Life-Span Study

In terms of actual numbers, a lengthy 20-year study including more than 12,000 dental implants showed that dental implants have a 93% survival rate in the first 17 years.

In fact, only about 2% of implants failed in their first year, and over the next 16 years, the overall survivability dropped by only 5%.

However, subsequent studies revealed another interesting fact: implants that survive their first 20 years have a negligible failure rate for the next 30%, bringing their survival rate to near 100%.

Additionally, given proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last well over 30 years, with some cases reporting a lifespan of 40 years.  The studies proved investing in dental restoration with implants is worth the price.

Not All Parts of Restoration Last Forever

While implants may last between 20 and 30 years, or even longer, if you treat them right, that lifespan doesn’t apply to the crown or the replacement implant-supported dentures.

Understanding Implant Failure

Patients should know that “lifetime implants” do not include all the parts attached to the implant. Crowns, attachments, and abutments occasionally need to be replaced.

For example, crowns are under constant pressure when patients don’t grind their teeth (bruxism) and practice good oral hygiene; crowns typically last 10 to 15 years.

The patient should know that these lifespans are broad generalizations. The lifespan of a tooth crown, like an implant, significantly depends on other factors.

Another factor worth noting is that complete restorations don’t wear out evenly, so while some crowns might seem okay, others might be worn out or damaged.

Factors That Affect Longevity

Several important factors affect the longevity of dental implants and dental crowns. Those factors include:

Oral Hygiene

Dental implants allow replacement teeth to look, function, and feel like natural teeth.

Thanks to implants’ natural bonding to bone and improved chewing action, they help maintain the structural integrity and health of the jawbone.

Just like natural teeth, implant patients need to have regular dental check-ups to ensure the success rate of dental implants.

Poor oral hygiene can cause many health issues, including periodontal disease. Gum disease is an inflammatory issue that destroys gum tissue and potentially causes bone loss.

Gum Health & Implants

Since dental implants fuse with the bone, gum disease and potential bone loss can impact the implants’ ability to remain anchored in place.

If the gums are not maintained with regular visits to the dentist, bone health and, eventually, surrounding bone density are at a higher risk of decay.

Gum Health & Genetics

Genetics plays a big factor in gum disease, but practicing good oral hygiene, like regular brushing and flossing, can help minimize the chance of developing gum disease and ensure that your implants last for years.

At Home Care

The type of tooth implant determines the at-home care needed to protect the artificial tooth.

Single implants and multiple single implants require a standard oral hygiene routine. The routine includes flossing and brushing.

Implant fixed or removable full-arch and partial dentures require consistent dental check-ups.

The benefit of teeth implants is that full mouth care appointments are typically only a couple times a year, and simple implants are cared for like regular teeth.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a medical condition characterized by unknowingly grinding, gnashing, or clenching teeth. Teeth grinding usually happens at night (sleep bruxism) but occurs during the day.

Bruxism is also recognized as a not-so-silent dental implant killer.  Dentists should provide every implant patient with signs of bruxism with a grind guard appliance.

Grinding your teeth adds constant pressure that wears down the dental implant’s foundation. The result is cracking or fracturing the crown and damaging the implants themselves.

Certain studies suggest that the survival rate of dental implants in patients with bruxism is approximately 25% lower than the average survival rate for patients who do not grind their teeth.

Lifestyle Choices and Chewing Habits

Like your natural teeth, biting and chewing hard foods exerts more pressure on your implants, which can damage them. Chewing on hard candy isn’t advisable. Some lifestyle choices can also cause complications with your implants, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, which raises the risk of gum disease.

Summary

Since they’re designed as permanent teeth replacements, dental implants last between 20 to 30 years, though that lifespan can be shortened or extended, depending on external factors.

If you’re from Loveland, CO, and you’re interested in dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Bigus and Rocky Mountain Smiles, where we can discuss your oral health, implants, and regular checkups.