One big question many patients have before they get dental implants is how long they will last. It is an important thing to consider, as dental implants are a big investment. While dental implants do not last forever, there is a good chance they will last for much of the patient’s life. Because of this, most patients never need to think about replacing them.
How Many Years Can I Expect My Dental Implants to Last?
With good oral hygiene, most dental implants last 25 years or more. For many patients who receive their implants later in life, this means that implants are a permanent solution.
What actually needs replacing with a dental implant? In most cases, it is just the crown or abutment (the small post that connects the screw and the crown) that need to be repaired. These are the parts that are exposed to the inside of the mouth, meaning they will see the most wear and tear with chewing and biting.
Luckily, replacing these parts is not major surgery. All our surgeons need to do is screw off the abutment or remove the crown, then add the replacement piece. This can all be done in one appointment without any downtime and should not be nearly as expensive as the initial implant procedure.
Because the implant itself is secured in the jaw and not exposed in the mouth, it should last much longer as long as the patient maintains good oral health. Replacing the implant screw itself is a more involved procedure, so we may make an alternative recommendation if this happens.
How Many Years Do Implant Alternatives Last?
When compared to other ways of replacing missing teeth, dental implants last far longer than other solutions and are far more cost-effective in the long run. Here is a short overview of other options available to replace missing teeth.
- Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are put on top of broken, decayed, or fragile teeth. While they can look natural, they only last about five to seven years.
- Bridges are made with several crowns and are supported by adjacent healthy teeth. They often require grinding down of these adjacent teeth to help them fit and can last up to seven to 10 years.
- Removable partial dentures are an appliance that fills in a gap of missing teeth in the mouth. They do not look as natural and require replacement every 15 years.
- Full dentures act as a replacement for an entire arch of teeth. Because there is nothing to stimulate the gums with dentures, they often begin to recede, requiring the dentures to be remade every five to six years to ensure a proper fit.
Choose Long-Lasting Dental Implants in the Salt Lake and Utah County Area
Dental implants are the optimal choice if you want a long-lasting teeth replacement solution. Learn more about dental implants in the Salt Lake and Utah County area by calling us today at (801) 446-4428.
