Which Factors Affect How Long Dental Implants Last?
The purpose of a dental implant is to be a permanent replacement for one or multiple missing teeth. According to the National Library of Medicine, dental implants demonstrated a 90-95% success rate over a period of 10 years. In many cases, implants can last the rest of your life with proper care.
At Gooch Family Dental in Birmingham, AL, we are dedicated to providing our patients with state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality dental care. We go above and beyond to serve the needs of our community, and our team is here to answer all of your restorative dentistry questions including how long dental implants last.
Understanding Implant Failure
Extending the lifespan of your dental implants is a matter of understanding what can lead to implant complications. The goal of our Birmingham dental practice is to keep you informed so you can properly care for and maintain your dental implants.
Factors that can contribute to implant failure, meaning the posts do not fuse properly with the bone, include:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Taking care of your dental implants is just as important as caring for your natural teeth. Just like plaque build up on your teeth can cause gum disease, an accumulation of plaque on and around your implants can lead to peri-implant disease. Left untreated, peri-implant disease can cause your implants to fail.
Implant faillure due to poor oral hygiene can be avoided by:
- Brushing twice a day
- Flossing daily
- Limiting your sugar intake
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Visiting your dentist regularly
Smoking
In order for implants to be successful, they must undergo osseointegration, a process in which your jaw bone grows and attaches to the implant, stabilizing it. Smoking can reduce blood flow to your gums and jaw, making it difficult or impossible for osseointegration to take place.
Inadequate Bone
Insufficient jawbone densit, makes it difficult for an implant to remain anchored in place. This can be solved prior to an implant procedure with a bone graft or sinus lift. However, an infection after a dental implant is placed can lead to bone loss and cause the implant to fail.
Occlusal Trauma
Grinding your teeth can also lead to dental implant failure. Repeated trauma can cause the restoration to fracture and break. The repeated movement from grinding can also cause the implant to come loose. If you suffer from teeth grinding, be sure to talk to your dentist about wearing a custom-made mouthguard at night.
Medical Complications
There are a number of medical conditions that can interfere with the osseointegration process. Diabetes, osteoporosis, bleeding disorders, and a weakend immune system may slow down or completely halt osseointegration. If you suffer from any of these conditions, your dentist may offer a dental bridge or dentures as an alternative to dental implants.
Restore Your Smile at Gooch Family Dental
Gooch Family Dental in Birmingham is here to answer any and all of your dental implant questions. Our doctors consist of an engaged and compassionate team whose goal is to provide their patients with top-notch dental care.
Our office offers same-day dental work as well as luxury amenities and a modern facility. To learn if dental implants are the solution for you, request a consultation or call our office at (205) 991-9892.
