Dental implants are incredibly important to patients who have a missing tooth or several missing teeth. With dental implants, you’ll feel more confident and have a healthier, radiant smile. Before we dive into the longevity of dental implants, let’s first discuss some important information.
What are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
While dental implants vastly improve your smile, there are plenty of other advantages, specifically when comparing implants to dentures.
- Unlike dentures, your teeth cannot slip out which means you won’t have to worry about slurring your words or having your teeth accidentally fall out.
- Dental implants are nearly identical to your own teeth which means zero issues when chewing food.
- Your oral health will remain in good standing as dental implants do not reduce other teeth. In fact, other teeth will not be altered in any way and all teeth will be left completely intact.
- One of the major reasons prefer dental implants over dentures is due to the fact that they cannot be removed. When it comes to dentures, patients must be cognizant about what they’re eating, when to take them out, and how to brush them. Sometimes the adhesive can get quite messy as well. Fortunately, dental implants won’t slip so you can treat them as your own.
Why Would I Need Dental Implants?
If you lose a tooth or several teeth, it’s time to consider dental implants. You should consider dental implants so surrounding teeth won’t shift into the empty space. If this does happen, you’ll most likely have to pay for more costly orthodontic work in the future. When choosing a fixed bridge over a jawbone you could suffer from deterioration under the missing tooth due to the lack of stimulation between the bone and tooth root.
What are Dental Implants Made Of?
Dental implants can be titanium or zirconia, both of which are corrosion-resistant, extremely strong, and can withstand abrasion. The prosthetic crown is made of porcelain which is even more durable than natural teeth.
How Long Will My Dental Implants Last?
After dental implant surgery, we then allow a period of healing to take place. This allows new bone to form around the implant root, further anchoring it into the jaw. In 3 to 6 months, we will then place an abutment over the root, which supports your permanent restoration. A dental implant can last for up to 25 years with a porcelain crown and titanium root. However, it can only last this long if you maintain proper dental hygiene such as brushing and flossing twice a day. You should also make sure not to bite down on hard items like pen tips or pencils and avoid sweets as they promote decay-causing bacteria.
If you’re in need of dental implants in the Greater Boston Area, contact the team at 617.843.6645.