How Long Do Implants Last

Dental implants are an ideal solution for those who have problems with smiling, eating or showing off their teeth in public. Whether it is the fear of having your full or partial dentures fall off when you are in the middle of saying something – or if you are not so confident about flashing your less-than-perfect smile, dental implants are a great way to address these problems. Unlike partial removable dentures, dental implants are fused permanently to the root of the tooth using an implant screw. Usually, this is made of titanium which is the most compatible material for the human biology. Titanium is also the material used for hip or knee replacements. Next, the manufactured crown is made of porcelain and it is placed on top of the implant screw. The result is a permanent replacement for the missing or chipped tooth.

Unlike bridges which require healthy teeth to be removed so that the crown can be placed, a dental implant can stand on its own. In the same vein, dentures do not stay in place – they actually require adhesives to prevent the embarrassment of your teeth falling off. This would not happen with dental implants, since they are permanently affixed to where the root of the tooth should have been.

The main advantage of dental implants as compared to other tooth restoration or tooth replacement procedures is its durability. Since the root of the tooth is replaced with an implant screw made of titanium, the material will practically last a lifetime. If no problems exist within six months after the dental implant surgery, the bone should heal normally. The durability of dental implants is definitely way better than a bridge which lasts for seven to ten years, and partial dentures which are only good for about five years. Remember that in order for your implants to last, you should treat it with the same meticulous care that you would treat the original tooth – so it is important to have a good oral hygiene regimen.