Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement options, due in large part to their durability. Over 95% of dental implants last over 20 years, with many lasting as long as 30 with proper maintenance. That sounds unbelievable, but it’s true—dental implants are a miracle of modern oral medicine. What makes them so reliable? If you want to know the answer to that question, here are a few reasons why dental implants last as long as they do.
Secured to Jaw
Your natural teeth are secured directly to your jawbone, so they have plenty of support whenever you use them to chew. One of the problems with dentures and bridges is that they’re only supported by your gums. These prosthetics need to fit the gums extremely well to get even a fraction of the stability of your natural teeth. Your jawbone is also being underused, meaning your body will send fewer nutrients to that area. Over time, that leads to bone loss. Together, the combination of bone loss and the necessity of having well-fitted prosthetics means that your oral appliances will need to be relined or replaced every 7-10 years.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are secured directly to the jaw—the same as your natural teeth. As a result, they have durability that dentures and bridges do not.
Titanium: Dental Implants’ Secret Weapon
Dental implants come in three parts: The post secured to the jawbone, the porcelain crown that resembles the natural tooth, and an abutment that connects the two. Both the post and the abutment are made of titanium, which is the standard for implants everywhere in the body. Titanium is an incredibly durable material, resistant to rust, and happens to integrate very well into the body. The high-quality materials that are often used in implants are critical to their longevity.
Good Dentists Make Good Dental Implants
The final piece of the puzzle when it comes to your implants is the most important: a qualified, well-trained dentist. Implant dentists have extensive training on how best to make use of dental implants, and what can go wrong with the procedure. They’ll be able to warn you of common pitfalls so that you can be proactive in ensuring your dental implant’s success.
While these are the most important reasons why dental implants last as long as they do, this isn’t the end of the story. Decades of research have gone into making dental implants as good as they can be. If you decide to use them for your tooth replacement, you won’t regret it.
About Our Practice
At Transforming Smiles, we provide our patients with a wide array of services. No matter what problem you’re dealing with, we can help. Our implant dentist, Dr. Bruce Carter, has over 30 years of experience in his field. We combine his knowledge with the comforting, delicate care of our dental team to provide all of our patients with the best that dentistry has to offer. If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (770) 995-7616.