More than three million Americans currently have at least one dental implant, and that number is expected to increase by about 500,000 every year. There’s a good reason that dental implants are exploding in popularity: their incredible longevity. But just how long can you expect them to last? How can you take good enough care of them to maximize their lifespan? Continue reading to learn all about the longevity of dental implants in Covina.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed into your jawbone where your natural tooth roots once were. These posts are able to perfectly mimic the structure and function of your lost tooth roots after undergoing a truly remarkable process called osseointegration. During this process, your jawbone will actually grow around the implant posts until the two are essentially one and the same. After osseointegration is complete, your dentist will top your implant with a lifelike crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many missing teeth you’re getting replaced.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The short answer is that dental implants can easily last a lifetime. The main reason they are able to do this is because of osseointegration. Other tooth replacement methods, like bridges and dentures, must be refitted or replaced every few years, due to wear and tear or jawbone deterioration over time as a result of tooth loss. This is because they replace only the crown of the tooth, not the root.
Dental implants, on the other hand, replicate the entire structure of your missing tooth. The post that’s anchored in your jaw stimulates the bone, preventing it from shrinking as it normally would if you simply suffered through tooth loss. While the crown, bridge, or denture may need to be replaced every few years due to wear and tear, the implant itself is durable enough to last for decades, possibly even for the rest of your life.
How to Make Your Implants Last as Long as Possible
The great news about dental implants is that they don’t require very much special care beyond what you would give to your natural teeth. Remember to brush and floss every day, and visit your dentist in Covina every six months for a checkup and cleaning. They can evaluate your implant and make sure it’s still in great shape throughout your life.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran graduated with high honors from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He has been practicing at Covina Family Dental since 2013. He partners with the best oral surgeons in the Covina area to ensure your dental implants are placed with expert care. To schedule your implant consultation, visit Dr. Tran’s website.