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How Long Do Dental Implants Last on Average?

By January 13, 2021March 4th, 2021No Comments

The Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that over 30 million Americans have lost all their teeth. They go on to state that 500,000 people get dental implants each year. Studies show that 95 percent of the implants are successful.

If you’re considering having this procedure, you may ask, “How long do dental implants last?” Keep reading to learn more about implants and the answer to this question.

Purpose of Teeth Implants

There are many different reasons to get dental implants. The end-point goal is to restore your smile and improve speaking, eating, and dental health. The following provides an overview of dental implant benefits.

Prevent Jawbone Loss

When you lose a tooth, the jawbone doesn’t get the normal amount of stimulation. This causes a 25 percent loss of bone within the first year.

Wearing dentures does not stimulate the bone and thus doesn’t prevent bone loss. In fact, dentures can even speed up the loss of bone.

Implants create an artificial “root” that causes bone stimulation with chewing. This re-establishes normal bone growth in the jaw.

Increased Tooth Stability

Did you know that if you lose a tooth, the adjoining teeth start moving toward the gap? This causes your teeth to become out of alignment and changes how the teeth meet when you bite. Changes in the bite often result in tooth and jaw problems.

Lost teeth can make it hard to chew. This also can cause problems with talking and changes the way you look.

Dental implants replace the missing teeth. They look and function like natural teeth.

Keep Your Face from Sagging

Lost teeth and bone changes alter the way your mouth and face look. As the jawbone decreases, your facial tissue loses support. This leads to skin sagging which can make you look older.

Dental implants prevent bone loss. They also replace missing teeth, so you won’t have these changes. You’ll keep your healthy smile and normal shape of your face.

Overview of Dental Implants

There are several parts to the dental implant tooth replacement. The actual implant is shaped like a screw. It’s placed into the jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root.

After placement of the implant, the natural bone bonds to it. This creates a sturdy base for the artificial tooth.

An abutment describes the connector piece placed on top of the implant. Its purpose is to support and hold the crown.

Last, the artificial tooth or crown is the part you see. Specialists custom-make each crown to match your natural teeth. This involves replicating the shape and color of your other teeth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Experts report that the dental implant lifespan can last 25 years or longer. A lot depends on how well you take care of your teeth.

It’s important to brush and floss your teeth and implant(s) every day. Visit your dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and evaluation. Avoid biting or chewing hard items such as pens and don’t use your teeth to open things.

Are You Looking for a Periodontist in St. Louis?

This article gave an overview of dental implants and answered the question, “How long do dental implants last”? If you having missing teeth and want to see if dental implants are an option, contact ActOn Implants.

Dr. Matthew Slaven and his team focus only on performing dental implant placement. Dr. Slaven is a periodontist which means he specializes in jawbone health. Our team uses the most current technology and provides the best possible experience.

Contact us today to ask questions and schedule an appointment.

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