How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Today, losing one or several teeth—whether due to severe tooth decay, disease, accidents, or the natural process of aging—no longer means you won’t smile again. Thanks to dental implants, periodontists can help you regain your strong and healthy smile, with a full set of teeth. And if all goes well, your fully restored smile will last, for as long as your dental implants work.

What are dental implants? The basics

Renowned as a state-of-the-art tooth replacement system, dental implants make it possible to regain full dental function—to eat, talk, laugh, and smile with full confidence that can only come from having a complete set of teeth.

Dental implants support tooth replacements for missing teeth. Often made of titanium—one of the strongest materials that can fuse with the jawbone—these titanium posts are directly implanted in the bone, allowing them to function as the artificial root of missing teeth. With implants attaching to crown restorations and anchoring them in place, your new teeth will look, feel, and function like natural ones.

Now, the question is, how permanent is permanent? Will your dental implants and the replacement teeth they support last forever?

Let’s find out, straight from our periodontists here at Periodontal Associates.

Are dental implants permanent?

If you have lived with one or several missing teeth for quite some time now, you’ve likely encountered other tooth restoration treatments. However, dental bridges and dentures don’t offer nearly as many years of use and quality of life as dental implants. For one, bridges require the support of healthy adjacent teeth, while dentures can fall out as they lose their precise fit over the years.

Dental implants, however, have been proven to last much longer, earning them the reputation of being a top choice for tooth replacement. They’re fused directly with the jawbone, eliminating the need for nightly removal, as you would with dentures. And since dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, your new dental crowns are anchored securely in place. This provides you with better oral function—the same strength to bite and chew, as with natural teeth.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants may be considered permanent, but periodontists note that they’re still like any other tooth restoration, or even like your natural teeth for that matter. This means they require good oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to last and make the best use of.

On average, dental implants last 25 years [1]. Meanwhile, the actual crown restoration may require replacement after 5 to 10 years [2]. But it’s important to remember that these numbers are only as good as your oral hygiene, dental care, and lifestyle habits—and can even go higher with proper care.

How to Make Dental Implants Last

Dental implants are the most advanced and only long-lasting tooth replacement method. And while they’re designed to last for over two decades—up to 25 years—on average, you play a major role in determining how many years exactly, whether it’s shorter than that, or even not requiring a replacement at all.

Here, our periodontists break down various factors that determine how long dental implants last—and what you can do to make sure they do:

• Proper oral hygiene: The entire dental implant system—the titanium root and crown restoration anchored in place—looks, feels and functions like natural teeth. And just like your natural teeth, dental implants require good oral hygiene habits, like regular brushing and flossing to stay clean and ensure their long-term success.
• Your periodontist: Your dental implants are as strong and successful as the person that performs the procedure. It takes the most qualified and experienced periodontist to evaluate the health of your jawbone, implant the titanium posts in line with the latest standards in implantology, and complete the crown restoration.
• Regular dental appointments: At a minimum, you should be visiting your dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and detect any oral health issues early on. When you have dental implants, it’s even more important to show up to follow-up check-ups and make periodontal care part of your overall dental care plan to ensure that the implant, surrounding teeth, and gums are all healthy.
• Health and lifestyle: Oral health is overall body health. Follow a healthy diet and avoid smoking to keep the teeth, gums, and jawbone strong and healthy. In addition, talk to your periodontist about your risk factors for certain diseases and medical conditions that contribute to dental implant failure. Finally, pay attention to how you’re using your teeth—it’s not a tool for opening items, nor should you be biting or chewing on hard materials to avoid cracks and chipping.

Talk to Our Periodontists About Making Your Dental Implants Last

Are you considering dental implants, or did you recently receive yours? At Periodontal Associates, our periodontists are highly trained in implantology techniques and specialize in dental implant procedures. But beyond the procedure, we’re dedicated to ensuring the long-term success of your dental implants.

When you undergo a dental implant procedure at our Mississauga clinic, you get more than a state-of-the-art treatment. Our periodontists ensure that you make an informed decision, which includes knowing how long your dental implants last and the role you and your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits play in making sure that they do.

Most importantly, we provide long-term periodontal care following your dental implant procedure through regular check-ups and cleaning. Together, we can make your dental implants last and ensure you enjoy their many benefits, from full oral function to long-term oral health.

Want to learn more about how long dental implants last? Ask our periodontists in Mississauga. Visit Periodontal Associates to find out more about the success of dental implants.