How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
McMinnville, OR
 Dental implants have transformed dentistry, offering a dependable option for replacing missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures or dental bridges, dental implants provide a long-lasting, robust solution that closely mimics natural teeth. However, patients often wonder about the longevity of dental implants. How long can they expect their dental implants to endure? We can answer that, and many more questions, here for you at Hometown Dental.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots typically crafted from titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates with the jawbone through osseointegration. This integration provides a stable foundation for attaching dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures, resulting in a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.
Multiple Tooth Dental Implants
While single tooth dental implants replace only one tooth, multiple tooth dental implants are utilized for extensive tooth loss, replacing several missing teeth in one or both arches of the mouth. This comprehensive and permanent solution employs a series of implants to support a fixed prosthetic restoration, such as a bridge or implant-supported denture. We also offer All-on-4, a method to replace an entire row of teeth with just four strategically placed titanium posts, maximizing stability and bone mass penetration.
Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are thinner than regular dental implants, with a diameter of less than 3 millimeters. Due to their small size, mini dental implants are placed in areas of the mouth with less bone mass. This less invasive procedure is commonly used to stabilize removable dentures or replace single, smaller teeth. Despite their size, mini dental implants offer a permanent tooth replacement solution and exhibit similar longevity to regular dental implants.
Dental Implants Can Last A Lifetime
Dental implants are deeply rooted in the jawbone, so they have no reason to develop faults or suffer wear. While the crowns may require an occasional change after several years, they do not suffer cavities. They remain healthy as long as you ensure that your mouth stays clean and healthy. This is why they are said to be a permanent replacement for missing teeth. Unlike other prosthetics that may require occasional change and replacement, dental implants stay with you for life.
Caring for Dental Implants
Through the years, dental implants have become a common and reliable treatment option for adults who have missing teeth. Providing long term replacement, implants are also being trusted for dental stability, functionality, and comfort. For a long lasting implant experience, caring for your implant the right way cannot be overemphasized. As we continuously use dental implants to replace missing teeth for our patients, our professionals at Hometown Dental always advise the following steps for caring for your dental implants.
Maintain Healthy Oral Hygiene
Although dental implants are placed as artificial teeth, they still need proper care just like our natural teeth. Which means you have to brush them two times a day for a period of two minutes each session. It is particularly important to floss around the implant base, to be certain that you get rid of any food debris that has gathered in those hidden locations. Brushing and flossing every day removes plaque and microbes like bacteria from the gums to prevent possible periodontal disease.
Using the Proper Dental Supplies
Another way of taking proper care of your dental implants is to always make sure you have the proper supplies. For starters, you will need a delicate bristled toothbrush that can reach the back of your mouth. A few dental specialists prescribe utilizing an electric toothbrush to care for dental implants, especially if you find it difficult to apply the prescribed brushing technique. For an easier flossing experience, you might need a floss threader or a little interdental brush to clean the nooks around your implant. Moreover, water flossers usually work effectively in terms of cleaning the dental implant surroundings, and they are simpler to handle than conventional dental floss.
Keeping Your Mouth in Good Shape
The mouth and the rest of your body are not mutually exclusive. It is wrong to believe that if your whole health and well-being are impacted, your oral health and dental implants remain unaffected. Your body functions as a full and integrated system, and you should treat your most valuable possession as such. Make sure you stay healthy and take care of yourself if you want your dental implants to last as long as possible.
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes should be a component of your dental implant maintenance routine. To lessen the risk of gum disease, use these little brushes to remove food and plaque from around the sides of your implants.
Change Your Toothbrush
Do you know that you're supposed to change your toothbrush every three months? Replace your toothbrush with a fresh one when they start to shred or blur in color, which happens every three months or so. Replacing your toothbrush on a regular basis ensures that dental plaque and microscopic organisms are effectively removed from your mouth. Furthermore, replacing your toothbrush prevents an overgrowth of bacteria from forming on it.
Frequent Dental Visits
The occurrence of gum disease may rise from vulnerability in health, uncontrolled diabetes, or smoking and alcohol consumption habits. All of these can have an adverse impact on the success and longevity of your dental implants.
Dental check-ups and regular visits to our dental hygienists must be maintained and scheduled. This will allow us to keep track of the progress of your dental implants while also cleaning your replacement teeth thoroughly. To find out more about caring for your implants, speak to our professionals at Hometown Dental.
Long Lasting Implants with Hometown Dental
Dental implants offer a durable and aesthetic solution for tooth replacement. By understanding the factors influencing implant longevity and adhering to recommended guidelines, patients can enjoy the benefits of their implants for years to come.
To maximize the lifespan of dental implants, patients should maintain good oral hygiene, attend routine dental check-ups, refrain from smoking, avoid biting hard objects, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and follow their dentist's recommendations regarding implant care and maintenance.
For further inquiries or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 971-287-3477 today!
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