What is the Average Lifetime of Dental Implants?

Dental implants can last a lifetime with reasonable care and maintenance on your part and by selecting a competent, knowledgeable implant provider. There is no upper limit to the lifespan of dental implants. If properly cared for, there's practically no reason why an implant shouldn't be helpful for decades. The goal is to ensure that you're doing everything possible to preserve the gums and bone around them healthy and in place.

Of fact, contemporary dental implants have only been around for a few decades. So, to predict they can live another 80 or 90 years is, to be honest, a bit speculative. However, we can tell from how they integrate with a person's body and the nature of hypoallergenic materials used for other purposes–such as joint replacements–that your dental implants will last the remainder of your life.

As physicians and surgeons use some of the same materials as dental implants, we know they can integrate them for the rest of a person's life. As a result, they are among the most secure and long-lasting things for repairing bones and reinforcing natural human architecture. That is one of the reasons we claim dental implants are more substantial than natural teeth; they can bear loads of pressure that would otherwise break a single tooth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last Compare to Other Treatments?

While all tooth replacements (dentures, bridges, etc.) have a limited lifespan, implants can easily outlive them - if you maintain regular dental appointments and care.

Although any treatment can survive for several years, dentures and dental bridges typically have a replacement rate of 5-10 years. So the better you care for them (and your mouth), the longer they may endure. They are, however, not permanent.

Bridges, for example, are supported by healthy teeth. If one of those teeth develops a cavity or gum disease, the entire bridge will collapse and must be replaced. Each time you re-prepare the teeth for a new bridge, you weaken them even more. So you might be able to provide two bridges, but there's a significant possibility you won't be able to give the third one.

Dentures can also wear out. Neither method comes close to matching dental implants in terms of long-term performance.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the most successful tooth replacement therapy. They have a success rate of 98 percent or higher with adequate home care. And, sure, it is higher than the cost of routine dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, or even root canal treatment. However, the failure rate is relatively low, especially when working with specialists, dental implant experts, or board-certified professionals.

The key to maximizing the longevity of implants is to take proper care of them: Brush and floss regularly, go to the dentist for regular checks, and avoid eating anything hard or sticky. Don't even think of using your new teeth as a tool! The mainline is that if you take proper care of your dental implants, they can endure for many years, even decades, or even a lifetime!

What is the Longevity of Dentures In comparison to Longevity of Implants?

New materials and improved designs make detachable prosthetics such as dentures and partials more durable than before. However, they were no match for dental implants. If you're lucky, an average denture will last you ten years. However, the materials are very likely to wear out before then, and the shape of your mouth will change, making the denture challenging to wear.

When you lose teeth and wear a denture, the gum and bone tissue beneath the prosthetic gradually resorbs or shrinks back. This reduces the length of your bone ridge, causing your denture to feel loose or cause ulcers on your gums.

On the other hand, dental implants support healthy bone tissue, keeping the contour of your jaws and facial profile. With all of that good bone surrounding them, your restorations are less likely to need to be replaced anytime soon.

To put it clearly, five dentures or more may be required compared to one set of dental implants. But, of course, it's probably more than that if you're relining or replacing your dentures every five years!