ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS PERMANENT?—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
—Miguel de Cervantes, 16th Century Spanish writer

Dental care during Cervantes’s time was rudimentary, and losing teeth could significantly impact a person’s well-being. Essential for eating, speaking, and maintaining one’s quality of life, teeth have irreplaceable value beyond that of fleeting, external treasures like diamonds, according to Cervantes.

Dentistry today provides people with several tooth replacement options, with dental implants offering the most permanent teeth replacement solution. While today’s dental implants might diminish the sentiment of the Cervantes quote, retaining one’s natural teeth is still preferable. That said, those who restore their missing teeth with dental implants find them invaluable.

If you’re facing tooth loss and wondering about the viability of dental implants, the first question that likely comes to mind is, “How long do dental implants last?” With extensive experience fitting their Marco Island-are patients with dental implants, The dental specialists at Southwest Florida’s Island Tower Dentistry will tell you that nothing in life is truly permanent. However, dental implants come closest to offering a measure of permanence approximating natural teeth. For example, the crowns of dental implants face the same wear and potential damage that natural teeth do. If you chip or crack a crown, it will need to be replaced.

Here’s what else Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke and Dr. Ryan Whelen have to say about the permanence of dental implants in Marco Island.

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental implants are prosthetic replacements for the roots of natural teeth. Surgically inserted into the jawbone, properties in the implant’s titanium alloy encourage the bone to naturally fuse with it in a process called osseointegration. Once fused, the implant, which is capped with a dental crown that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth, can support bite pressure for decades.

Dental implants have a 90%-plus success ratio, making them one of the most effective prosthetics in implantable surgical device technology. The implant’s success ratio, longevity, and natural look and feel give them an edge over removable dentures and dental bridges. Infused into the bone, dental implants are much better at transferring chewing force to the jawbone than dentures and bridges. This fusion also helps maintain the density and shape of the underlying jawbone, which the other options can’t do.

Drs. Van Dyke and Whelen fit their Marco Island patients with “All-on-4” dental implants, considered the most advanced implant technology available today. All-on-4’s innovative technology relies on the strategic placement of four dental implants to support an entire arch. Instead of topping the implants with individual crowns, they are topped and secured to a custom-made arch with 10 to 14 prosthetic teeth. Once fitted, the permanent implant replicates the function, look, and feel of the patient’s natural teeth.

HOW LONG DO DENTAL IMPLANTS LAST?

While dental professionals consider dental implants a permanent solution for missing teeth replacement, their longevity depends on several factors. The titanium implants themselves are designed to last a person’s lifetime. However, like the teeth roots they replace, they are susceptible to potential damage from gum disease, infection, and force.

In particular, up to 20% of people who get dental implants come down with peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease that impacts the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implants. If left untreated, subsequent bone loss can compromise the stability of the implants to the point of needing replacement if remaining bone tissue allows. Untreated gum disease can also lead to bone loss and affect implant stability, while excessive bite force and teeth grinding can also impact the implants’ fusion to the bone.

That said, grinding or other excessive force will likely affect the crown before it causes damage to the implant itself. Because crowns are exposed and do all the work of natural teeth, they face the same wear and tear. Thus, depending on the material they’re made from, crowns typically need replacing within a 10-20-year timeframe or shorter in the event of trauma.

ENSURING THE LONGEVITY OF YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS

Just because you’ve got dental implants doesn’t mean you can ignore diligent dental hygiene, and the dental implants and their crowns deserve the same level of care as your natural teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, professional teeth cleaning, and dental checkups help prevent gum disease and peri-implantitis. If you experience irritation or tenderness and reddening of the gum line, schedule an appointment with your Marco Island dentist as soon as possible. Those with bruxism issues (teeth grinding) should wear a mouthguard while sleeping. Last, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and maintain a healthy diet to further promote the best health for your dental implants.

CONSULT WITH MARCO ISLAND DENTISTS ABOUT YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS

With advanced training in implant dentistry and other dental prosthetics, our Marco Island dentists have helped restore the smiles of hundreds of Southwest Florida-area patients. To learn whether All-on-4 dental implants are a viable solution for your tooth loss, schedule an appointment with Dr. Van Dyke or Dr. Whelen. For outstanding functional and cosmetic dental work in the Marco Island, Florida, area, contact us today at 239-394-1004.