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How to Extend the Life of Your Dental Implants

Faris Kirmani • May 15, 2019

Dental implants have the unique ability to last a lifetime. That’s not an exaggeration, it’s the plain truth: studies trying to track the longevity of dental implants can’t get past 20 or 30 years because by that time, most people who got implants naturally pass away from unrelated causes. We do know that dental implants can last over 50 years. But of course this isn’t guaranteed, and there’s no way to guarantee that your implants will last you for 50 years or more.

But there are some things you can do to maximize the odds that your implants will last you the rest of your life.

A smiling woman pouring tea in a cup for hear daughter while they talk. With new dental implants, she's extending the amount of time she has to smile.

Choose an Experienced Dentist

Your dentist will make a big difference in your dental implant experience. One of the biggest factors is experience. Research shows that dentists without much experience placing dental implants tend to have much higher implant failure rates than dentists who have more extensive experience.

Before agreeing to an implant procedure, ask your dentist about both the frequency with which they place dental implants, and the total number of implants they’ve placed--both can have an impact on their success rate.

Choose Quality Implants

Implant technology is constantly changing and upgrading, which makes it hard to compare different makes and models of implants. However, we do know that some implant systems have better track records than others.

Ask dentists about what implant systems they use and why. You will learn about the differences between implant systems and why one system or another might be better for you.

Take Proper Care at Home

Your at-home hygiene routine is going to make a huge difference in how long your dental implants last. Implants are very similar to natural teeth and are subject to some of the same dangers as natural teeth. Once a dental implant has integrated into your bone, the most common cause of failure is peri-implantitis--a form of gum disease affecting dental implants.

Keeping your dental implants clean can help protect them from gum disease.

Make Your Regular Checkups

And just as with your natural teeth, home hygiene is only part of the solution. It’s important that you see your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings. For some people at high risk for gum disease (such as those who lost their natural teeth to gum disease), we might recommend more frequent checkups to help watch for developing problems.

Repair and Replace Restorations

While the dental implant (artificial tooth root) is likely to last for life, it’s less likely that the crowns, bridges, and dentures on top of your implant will, although some studies show that quality systems do regularly last 30 years or more. Even so, expect to repair, adjust, or replace restorations every ten years or so.

Failing to keep your restorations in good shape can put the implants themselves at risk.

Long-Lasting Implants in Hawkesbury

Are you looking for dental implants in Hawkesbury and want to do everything you can to make sure they last? We invite you to look at your options here at Riverlands Dental to understand the experience, quality, and commitment that we bring to giving you long-lasting results.

Please call (02) 4501 7930 today for an appointment with an implant dentist today.

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