The Brownstown Dental Care Blog
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How long do dental implants last?
One of the most common dental issues faced by American adults is missing teeth. This can be caused by a variety of things from genetics to poor habits. However, regardless of the cause, dental implants are the gold standard for tooth restoration.
Dental implants look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than any other tooth restoration solution. Brownstown Dental Care in Brownstown, MI specializes in dental implants and other tooth restoration solutions.
Another reason that dental implants are considered the gold standard when it comes to tooth restoration is that they are designed to last a lifetime. While you may have to replace the crown or other prosthetic, with proper care and maintenance, you will never have to replace the implant itself.
Dental implants look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than any other solution. In addition, with proper care and maintenance, implants will last a lifetime.
Interested in learning more about dental implants to replace your missing teeth? Schedule your consultation now with the team at Brownstown Dental Care.
Learn more about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution that looks, feels, and functions the most like natural teeth. A dental implant can be used to replace a single missing tooth or as support for a full arch. Typically, patients need 2 to 6 implants to replace multiple missing teeth.
Dental implants are made up of three parts:
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- Implant: small screw inserted into the jawbone to support the replacement tooth/teeth
- Abutment: the piece that secures the prosthesis to the implant
- Artificial teeth: this may be a single crown for a single missing tooth or a full denture arch to replace all of the missing teeth
What materials are used in dental implants?
However, the material used in the crown can impact the life expectancy of that component. Porcelain is designed to last the longest but is also among the most expensive. Composite resin is much more budget-friendly upfront but will need to be replaced much more often.
Many of our patients at Brownstown Dental Care who are on a budget will start with composite resin and will save up to have it replaced with porcelain when they are able to.
Hybrid dental implants are an ideal solution for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth. This process involves placing a few dental implants to support an entire arch of teeth.
Factors that impact longevity of dental implants
When considering the longevity of dental implants, there are several factors to keep in mind:
Quality of the dental implant & the crown
Just like with anything else, you get what you pay for. If you choose the cheapest option for your dental implants, you can expect to have to replace them sooner. Again, the implant itself should last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance- but the crown will need to be replaced.
On average, composite resin crowns will need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, while porcelain should last 20 years or longer with proper care.
Maintenance and care of dental implants
As we’ve mentioned, proper care and maintenance will ensure that your dental implants last for a very long time. This includes proper oral hygiene practices:
Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste and using an alcohol-free mouthwash, flossing once daily, and visiting the dentist twice yearly for a cleaning and exam. During the exam, we will be able to spot any potential issues that could lead to implant failure.
Overall oral health
Before we place dental implants, we will check for any oral health issues, including gum disease. If found, gum disease will need to be treated before we can place the implants. If not, implant failure could occur. In this case, the implants will need to be removed and your jaw allowed to heal. In the future, we may be able to revisit implant placement.
What is the average lifespan of dental implants?
Esteem Dental implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. In fact, the implants themselves are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Benefits of dental implants
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement solutions. They are inserted into the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots, providing support for artificial teeth and stimulation to the jawbone to keep it healthy. Some of the benefits of dental implants include:
Improved oral health
Natural teeth are prone to cavities and decay. However, dental implants are artificial, so there is no way for bacteria to get in and cause the replacement tooth/teeth to decay. However, it is important to note that you still have to take proper care of them to avoid gum disease and other dental issues.
Improved quality of life
When you are missing teeth, it’s difficult to enjoy foods that can be tough to chew- but when you replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you get your bite force back. This means that you can eat anything you like and you can smile, laugh, and speak without having to worry about them falling out.
Improved confidence
Missing teeth can have a major impact on your confidence. Many patients are embarrassed to smile and may even give up socializing because of it. Plus, missing teeth allows your jawbone to deteriorate because it no longer has the stimulation it needs to stay healthy. This causes your face to sink in, which makes you look older than you are.
When you replace your missing teeth with this natural-looking solution, you get your confidence back and therefore, your social life.
Durability/reliability
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, so they are much more durable and reliable than other options. You don’t have to worry about your artificial teeth falling out or slipping around when you talk, laugh, smile, or eat. Plus, the jawbone fuses with the implant, making it a part of you.
Tips for proper care and maintenance of dental implants
Dental implants will last a very long time, possibly a lifetime, if you take proper care of them. Proper care and maintenance of dental implants involves:
Regular dental checkups
Ideally, everyone- especially those with restorations- should visit the dentist every 6 months for a checkup and cleaning. During this time, we will thoroughly examine all areas of your mouth to ensure that there are no issues. If we discover anything, we will be able to treat it right away so that it does not escalate and cause implant failure.
Proper oral hygiene
You should be brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Carefully floss around the implants to remove any food that may be stuck between the teeth. You can use an alcohol-free mouthwash if you wish to freshen your breath even more.
Avoiding bad habits
Habits such as smoking, using teeth as tools, and others can damage dental implants and ultimately lead to implant failure. If you have any bad habits, take steps to stop doing these things to keep your restorations looking beautiful for many years.
Is getting dental implants a painful process?
How long does the Esteem Dental Implant procedure take?
Are there any risks involved with getting dental implants?
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Brownstown Dental Care in Brownstown, MI is your local team for dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and other life-changing dental services. Your neighbors count on us for all their dental care needs. From general dentistry and preventative care to complex cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures, we are your team dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive care under one roof.
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