Lifespan of a dental implant
Dental implant
Lifespan of a dental implant
A dental implant is a safe and effective option to replace one or more missing teeth, being designed to reproduce 98-99% the functionality and aesthetics of a natural tooth.
The dental implant is a long-term solution for permanent tooth replacement, being designed to last for a long time. But how long does a dental implant actually last?
Chances are good that the lifespan of a dental implant will be many years if the implant is inserted into sufficient bone and is well cared for, maintained and reviewed regularly. Modern dental implants have a history of over 30 years and data generated worldwide states that 95% of implants can be expected to last for a period of 15-20 years + (accurate data collection started around 20 years ago) and predictions are that 90% of implants should last a lifetime if properly maintained.
The lifespan of dental implants is influenced by several factors:
- proper oral hygiene: the dental implant must be cared for in the same way as natural teeth, i.e. brushing at least twice a day and using dental floss
- carrying out regular check-ups and dental prophylaxis every 6 months or even more often, depending on the dentist's recommendation
- experience of the specialist surgeon: experts in implantology are the ones able to assess the degree of osseointegration and treat any conditions that appear during the healing process (inflammation or bleeding, discomfort and pain, mastication and swallowing problems)
- avoiding hard foods or using teeth to open objects
- lifestyle: some vices, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, can influence the life span of an implant or the occurrence of complications.Smoking is a major risk factor that can significantly reduce the success of dental implants by approximately 15%. The chemicals in tobacco, such as nicotine, affect blood circulation and the healing capacity of tissues, increasing the risk of postoperative complications and failure of implant integration. The study "A 10-year retrospective analysis of marginal bone-level changes around implants in periodontally healthy and periodontally compromised tobacco smokers" analyzed the difference between the behavior and lifetime of dental implants in smoking patients, compared to non-smoking patients over a period of 10 years. The result of the study showed that the success rate of dental implants in non-smokers was 95%, compared to only 80% in smokers, the latter showing a higher incidence of peri-implantitis and bone loss, as well as a longer average healing time. long and a greater number of postoperative complications.
- general health:plays a significant role in the long-term success of the dental implant. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases can affect the healing process and implant integration. Management of these medical conditions is crucial to maintaining the lifespan of dental implants.
In conclusion, it is important that, before making a decision regarding dental implant treatment, the implantologist and the prosthodontist examine the patient's general health and oral health, so that your implant will be in the over 95% success rate % calculated at 10 years, certified by the American Dental Association.