It’s well known that nothing lasts forever. Unfortunately, that new car you just bought will eventually become old and worn out. A brand new pair of sturdy boots will need to be replaced at some point, too. And nearly all the dental work you get will need to be replaced as well. But the key word there is ‘nearly’! Dental implants in Rolling Meadows are one exception that can last 25 plus years or even a lifetime with the basic care and maintenance. And even though repairs occasionally need to be made, there are great ways to minimize that as much as possible. Keep reading to learn more!
Which Factors Determine How Long Dental Implants Last?
Implants are titanium posts that are placed in the jaw to take the place of the roots of missing teeth. After they’ve been placed and have fused with the surrounding jaw bone, they’re restored with either a single dental crown, bridge or a denture.
Again, it’s not uncommon for implants to last decades or a lifetime. Here are some of the factors that determine that:
- The quality of the materials used
- The qualifications of the dentist who places the implant
- Whether you use tobacco or not
- Oral hygiene habits
- Clenching and grinding
Also, it’s important to note that, while an implant itself can last a lifetime, the restoration attached to it (e.g. a crown, bridge or denture) is still subject to the same wear-and-tear as regular dental work and will likely need to be replaced eventually.
How Can You Help Your Implants Last as Long as Possible?
Doing these things will help your dental implants last long-term:
- Quit smoking – Smokers have a much lower implant success rate (85%) than non-smokers (95%).
- Choose a high-quality dentist – Don’t hesitate to ask a dentist in Rolling Meadows about their experience, training and the types of materials they use. Implants that are done right from the start have a higher chance of success.
- Maintain good hygiene – Your implants can’t get cavities, but they must be surrounded by healthy gum tissue for support. Practice good oral hygiene and ask a dentist or hygienist for a demonstration of the proper flossing technique around an implant. You may also consider an electric toothbrush and/or get an oral irrigator to flush out bacteria from the nooks and crannies around an implant.
- Get regular checkups – It’s important to get regular checkups so your implant can be consistently monitored. If there are any problems, they’ll be treated as early as possible.
- Wear a nightguard if necessary – If you clench and grind, the force can cause your implants to become loose and potentially fail over time. Wearing a custom-made nightguard can prevent these issues.
Also, be sure to schedule an appointment immediately if you notice any problems such as tenderness or bleeding, or if your implant feels loose. If these problems are caught early, they can be treated before they lead to implant failure!
About the Author
Dr. Ye Wang is a general and implant dentist in Rolling Meadows who provides outstanding dental implant service from start to finish. She also educates her patients about how to maintain their implants so they last as long as possible. If you have any other questions about dental implants, she can be reached via her website or at (847) 221-5860.