The Lifes­pan of Den­tal Implants: What You Need to Know

You might find conflicting information available online, with some claiming that dental implants will last a lifetime, while others might be more cautious in their estimations.

In this guide, we’re looking at the lifespan of dental implants, including what can impact the health and integrity of the various components. We’ll also share some risk factors that might reduce the lifespan of your implants, and some common signs that your implants have been compromised.

By the end of this article, you should be more informed about the lifespan of implants and also how to care for your implants so they last for as long as possible.

How long do the components last?

A dental implant is made up of different parts that undergo different stresses throughout their lifespan. You can expect your titanium implant to last much longer than a porcelain restoration for obvious reasons – titanium is much stronger than porcelain. These are the typical lifespans you can expect from your implant components:

• The titanium implant is designed to last a lifetime. This means that the implant should not break down or need to be replaced. The exception would be in cases where the implant is rejected, or where there is an injury or trauma that causes the implant to come loose.

• The abutment is also made of sturdy titanium and should also last a lifetime. Your dentist may provide specific guarantees on the lifespan of your implant and abutment.

• The dental crown or restoration should last for around 8-12 years, depending on use. Restorations are often made from porcelain, as this is a natural-looking material that will look similar to surrounding teeth. It could also be a metal base with porcelain bonded on top. The dental crown may be susceptible to cracking, chipping and coming loose.

What can impact the lifespan of your dental implant?

How you care for your dental implants will have the biggest impact on their longevity. The biggest risk factor for dental implants would be a condition called peri-implantitis. This affects the socket that holds the implant and can cause inflammation and damage to the bone that allows the implant to come loose.

Another risk factor would be damage to the crown as a result of usage. This could mean biting into hard foods that cause the delicate porcelain to break. Chewy food like toffee could also cause the crown to come loose from the abutment. For front teeth, the biggest risk factors would be habits like biting into ice, cutting tape with your teeth and opening packaged with your teeth.

Failing to care for your teeth could also lead to implant failure. It’s important to stay on top of conditions like plaque and tartar build up, as this could lead to the ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive on the gumline. This could lead to implant failure if left untreated.

Extending the life of your dental implants

A simple way to care for your dental implant after treatment is to visit the dentist according to your aftercare instructions. This could include a combination of dental checkups and dental hygienist visits to ensure all bases are covered.

It is essential to ensure your teeth and gums are free from plaque, tartar and bacteria buildup. Your dentist can also check the integrity of the implant and suggest a replacement of the crown if there are any signs of cracking or fractures in the material.

Chipping a crown should be treated with the same urgency as a chipped natural tooth. While you might not experience any pain associated with this, it’s important to address the issue by replacing the crown so that you don’t suffer as a result of a sharp edge which could cut your tongue or gums.

If you notice pain or swelling at the site of your dental implant, visit the dentist without delay. Getting an infection under control in the early stages could help to save your implant and save you a lot of discomfort.