Do Dental Implants Need to be Replaced?

If you have missing or damaged teeth, dental implants can replace them. They are a secure, natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing solution for restorative dental procedures. Unlike dentures, dental implants are fixed and don’t slip or shift while speaking or chewing, making them a preferred choice for patients with missing teeth. 

Some benefits dental implants offer include the following:

• Improves oral health 
• Provides long-lasting results 
• Provides natural-looking results 
• Offer more comfort than dentures 
• Preserves the jawbone by stimulating it
• Easy to maintain
• Doesn’t require messy adhesives

What are the Types of Dental Implants? 

At Melton Dental, we offer 3 main types of dental implants, each designed to address specific needs and conditions. 

1. Single Implants – They are an excellent solution for replacing one or a few missing teeth. The implant will be inserted into your jawbone and left to fuse with it, after which a dental prosthesis, carefully crafted to match your needs in terms of size, shape and colour, will be placed on top. 
2. All-On-4 Implants – If you’re missing most or almost all of your teeth, All-On-4 implants are an option worth considering. This technique can replace an entire arch of teeth using just four strategically placed implants. 
3. Implant-Supported Dentures – Combining the best of implants and dentures, implant-supported dentures offer a more stable alternative to conventional dentures. While dentures simply rest on your gums, implant-supported dentures are attached to your jawbone using dental implants to provide greater stability and comfort. 

Are Dental Implants Permanent?

One of the most common questions we get asked by our patients is if dental implants are permanent. 

The short answer is yes! Dental Implants are intended to be a permanent tooth replacement solution as they are integrated and fused with the jawbone. Therefore, the implant is meant to be a solution that can last several decades with the right care. Your dental crown attached to the implant will last anywhere between 10 to 30 years. 

Although the dental implant is made with high-quality material for durability, its longevity depends on your oral health and how well you care for your dental implants. While some implants may stay in place permanently, there can be instances where they may need replacing. 

What Determines the Longevity of a Dental Implant?

On average, you can expect your dental implants to last around 25 years before needing to be replaced. However, with proper care and maintenance, they can even last a lifetime. Here are some factors that determine the longevity of your implant. 

Oral Hygiene

Similar to natural teeth, dental implants require good oral hygiene to prevent complications. Regular flossing, brushing and scheduling regular dental checkups every 6 months are essential to maintaining the healthy tissues surrounding the implants and preventing conditions like peri-implantitis – a bacterial infection that affects the tissues around the implant. 

Osseointegration 

Osseointegration is the process by which your dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue. The success and longevity of your dental implants largely depend on the proper integration of the implant with the jawbone. If successful, it provides a stable and durable foundation for the restoration. Factors such as patient health, bone quality and surgical technique contribute to the success of this crucial phase. 

Immune System

The patient’s age is another factor impacting how long the dental implants last. Since older patients tend to have lower healing capacities, weakened immune systems and are more prone to systemic diseases like diabetes, they are at a higher risk of implant failure. 

Location of the Implant 

Implants at the back of your mouth tend to receive more pressure from chewing forces than those at the front. Therefore, these implants at the back may have a shorter lifespan. 

Jawbone Density 

If missing teeth are left untreated for extended periods of time, it can cause bone resorption. Bone resorption is the loss of bone tissue that occurs after a tooth has been removed or fallen out. When this happens, it can lead the jawbone to deteriorate, resulting in low bone density to support the implant. In such instances, our dentists will recommend a bone grafting procedure before implant placement to improve stability and strength. 

Skill & Experience of the Dentist 

The placement of dental implants requires expertise, precision and experience. By choosing an experienced and skilled dentist, you can increase the chances of a successful implant procedure and maximise the lifespan of your implant. Our dental professionals at Melton Dental are well-trained and experienced in dental implant procedures, having transformed smiles with precision for decades.

How To Care for Your Implants

The best part about dental implants is that aftercare is as simple as it gets. In fact, it’s a lot like looking after your natural teeth. Here are a few aftercare tips you can practice to keep that beautiful smile in place: 

• Maintain good oral hygiene – Care for your implants like you do for your teeth by brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. Make sure you brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. 
• Visit the dentist for regular checkups – Make regular dental checkups every 6 months a part of your oral hygiene routine. This will help protect your oral health, keeping your dental implants in good condition. 
• Be mindful of your diet – Prevent the risk of dental implant complications from arising by making conscious dietary choices. Steer clear of sugary foods and drinks as they can lead to plaque formation that can cause gum disease. At the same time, avoid eating hard foods like chewy candy and nuts immediately after implant placement. 
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption – These habits can leave you at a higher risk of implant failure, negatively affecting the longevity of your dental implant. 

Follow these simple steps to enjoy a long-lasting smile. If your implant starts to feel loose, or you experience sensitivity or pain when chewing, this might indicate that your dental implants need replacing, however.

If you’re experiencing any odd symptoms, contact our friendly team ASAP so we can help you resolve the problem and enjoy your smile again.