If you’re looking into tooth replacement options, you’re probably seeing the benefits of dental implants being touted wherever you go. There’s a good reason for that; they have many advantages over both dentures and dental bridges. The biggest one has got to be their incredible reliability, with most dental implants lasting two or three times longer than those other tooth replacement options. But how long do they last exactly? Here’s everything you need to know about a dental implant’s lifespan.
How Long do Dental Implants Last?
Dental Implants are incredibly reliable, especially when compared to other options. Your typical set of dentures will need to be replaced after five to ten years, as will most dental bridges. On the other hand, ninety-five percent of dental implants last over twenty years, and most of them will last around thirty if properly maintained. When you also consider how natural they feel and how easy they are to clean, it’s no wonder they’re so popular!
How Do I Get the Most Out of My Dental Implant?
There are ways that dental implants can fail prematurely. However, as the numbers show, avoiding those pitfalls is pretty simple.
The first thing you can do is to make sure that you heal properly after your surgery. Your dental implant is secured by your jaw, so for the first few weeks after your procedure, you’ll need to give the bone time to grow back around the dental implant. Avoid playing with your dental implant too much while the bone is healing. You should also try and quit smoking—at least for a few weeks—as tobacco can significantly impair the mouth’s healing process. If you need help, your dentist can recommend an alternative source of nicotine that will be easier on your teeth. Finally, you’ll need to take it easy for a while. Vigorous exercise can unduly increase blood flow to the mouth, which can cause your wound to reopen.
Once the healing’s complete, you can take care of your implant in just the same way you would a natural tooth. Brush it twice a day, and floss daily to prevent plaque buildup. Be careful when you floss, as too much pressure could break the seal connecting your gums to your implant. If you’d like, you can get a floss threader that can make cleaning your implant a bit easier.
If you’re wondering why dental implants are so popular, now you know. So long as you take care of your oral health, you can expect them to last for decades.
About Our Practice
At 918 Dentist, we have a passion for crafting perfect smiles for our patients. That’s why we perform the entire dental implant process under one roof, with no need for a referral. Our dentists—Dr. Mohanna and Dr. Georgy—get enormous satisfaction from being able to restore people’s health and confidence through their work. If you have any questions about the average dental implant’s lifespan, we’d love to help you. We can be reached at our website, or you can call our Glenpool office at 918-216-1000.