While you have a variety of options these days for replacing missing teeth, none are as effective at recreating your original smile as dental implants. These prosthetic teeth are by far the closest thing to having your old pearly whites back. After losing your teeth, you naturally want your new ones to stand the test of time, and dental implants are by far the most durable tooth replacement. Just how long do dental implants last? Keep reading to find out!
How Long Can You Expect Your Dental Implants to Last?
Dental implants are truly unique in that they naturally grow attached to your jawbone after being placed there. In fact, they become just as firmly bonded as the roots of your original teeth, meaning they shouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Because of this integration, dental implants are capable of lasting for a lifetime! On average, they last about 30 years. The crown, bridge, or denture that is secured on top of them may need to be replaced at some point before then, but the implant posts themselves should remain in place for decades to come.
Dental Implants Can Save You Money in the Long Run
It’s understandable to be concerned about the cost of dental implants at first, but it helps to think of it as a long-term investment. Regular dentures and dental bridges tend to break down after five to ten years at most, so you’ll have to pay their initial lower cost several times over. When you add all of that up, it can greatly exceed the one-time price you would pay for dental implants. This makes implants a purchase that more than pays for itself over time!
How to Help Your Dental Implants Last as Long as Possible
The lifespan of your dental implants depends in some part on how well you take care of them. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your implants in great shape. Just remember to:
- Maintain daily oral hygiene – Your implants, and the prosthetic teeth on top of them, can’t get cavities, but it’s still important to brush and floss every single day. Otherwise, you may develop gum disease, which could cause your implant to fail.
- Use your new teeth properly – Just like natural teeth, dental implants weren’t designed to withstand more pressure than it takes to chew food. Try to avoid using your teeth to open packaging, pop bottles, chew on ice, or bite your nails. This could irreversibly damage them.
- See your dentist regularly – Even with dental implants, you’ll still need to visit your dentist for six-month checkups. When your dentist is able to examine your implants at regular intervals, problems can be discovered and treated in the earliest possible stages, making treatment easier and more likely to be successful.
As long as you’re diligent about caring for your dental implants, they have the potential to help you smile for the rest of your life! Talk to your dentist about whether this solution is right for you.
About the Author
With over a decade of experience in the field of dentistry, Dr. Shue Her never gets tired of meeting new patients and helping them smile. He obtained his doctorate at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and has since completed advanced dental implant training. As a result, he can perform every step of the dental implant process in-house at Lifetime Dental of Gainesville. To learn more about this state-of-the-art tooth loss solution, contact Dr. Her by calling (770) 536-6688.