Are dental implants permanent?
Dental implants are currently the best and longest-lasting tooth replacement system. They are designed to last up to 25 years (with proper care and a good oral hygiene routine).
Daily brushing and flossing alongside visiting your dentist every six months will help maintain your implants. Avoiding sugary foods and biting down hard on tough foods will also help maintain your implantsā condition.
Do I need dental implants?
If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth, it is likely you will require a dental implant to restore your smile and comfort when eating and drinking. Itās strongly advised that you opt for a dental implant if you are missing one or more teeth.
Failing to agree to treatment can lead to future tooth loss, as your mouth will likely struggle to cope with the increased pressure and stress of losing a tooth. This will therefore make your teeth more vulnerable when eating and drinking and will heighten the risk of cracked teeth, cavities and infection.
Even if you attempt to adjust your bite to accommodate for your lack of teeth, it will eventually cause your jawbone muscles to weaken, causing discomfort and poor eating habits.
The benefits of dental implants
Dental implants help restore tooth formation and correct your bite, making it easier to eat and drink. Your dental implants will also restore any lost confidence since losing your teeth, allowing you to smile and socialise comfortably.
The main benefits include:
- Increased confidence
- Easier eating and drinking
- Eliminates the risk of infection
- Long-lasting tooth-replacement option
- Swift treatment
- State of the art technology
Are all dental implants made the same?
All dental implants are formed from three core building blocks: the crown, connector and base.
The crown is the tooth-shaped part of the implant and is usually made from ceramic materials. They are specifically designed to look like your existing, natural teeth. The connector is used to screw into the crown, keeping is secure, and the base is the titanium screw that is gently and securely placed into your jawbone.
There are currently more than 60 FDA-approved implants to choose from, but your dentist should be able to help you make a decision based on your preferences.
Most implants are made from titanium, or some form of metal alloy, both of which offer fantastic durability – often lasting a lifetime.
What happens if I donāt get a dental implant?
If you require a dental implant and you do not receive treatment, it can lead to a number of oral health problems that are both uncomfortable and often expensive to fix.
If you choose to reject a dental implant, your mouth will need to learn how to function without proper tooth formation. This can become very uncomfortable and make eating food very difficult and painful. Refusing an implant also increases your risk of infection and other oral-related issues.
If you are missing a tooth or your implant has cracked or broken, it is strongly advised your seek immediate dental intervention.
Can dental implants fail?
Improper oral hygiene and failing to visit the dentist every six months will inevitably damage your oral health and therefore your implants. Despite being made from titanium, poor oral care can see the metal bend out of shape or even break.
If you do experience a broken or cracked implant, it is still possible to save it if you visit your dentist as soon as you discover the problem. If your implant cannot be saved, your dentist will simply fit a new implant to replace the broken one – but only when the area is safe to treat.
Other reasons they may fail include:
Medical conditions – it is rare, but some patients may be allergic to the implant procedure. Additionally, if they have a weak bone structure, an implant may fail. For more information on this, please speak to our friendly team today.
Smoking – the tar from cigarettes affects almost every part of your body, including your oral health. Smoking restricts proper blood flow, which can affect the healing process after implant treatment. Continue to smoke after your implant has been fitted can lead to inflammation, infection and in some cases, cause the implant to fail.
However, it is highly unlikely your implants will fail if you follow a healthy oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist every six months.
Looking after your dental implants
Looking after your implants is very easy and can last a lifetime is proper care is followed. The three core factors include:
- Avoiding sugary drinks and foods
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup
- How much to dental implants cost?
Your dental implant cost will depend on the extent of your required treatment. However, treatment prices for dental implants can be found on our price guide page.
Book your checkup today
For more information on dental implant procedures and how we can help transform your smile, please get in touch today.
Neglecting to have a checkup once every six months may lead to your implant becoming weaker and eventually cracking or breaking completely regular checkups ensures this does not happen and we provide aftercare advice to ensure your dental implants last a lifetime.
Call or email our friendly team today for more information.
