Longevity of Dental Implants
Thanks to cutting-edge technology available today in restorative dentistry, dental implants can replace missing teeth. Not only can they replace missing teeth, but they can also prevent bone loss, restore full chewing power, look natural, and can help people get their confidence back!
Dr. Terry Work has been placing dental implants in Scottsdale, AZ for 15 years and is also a Diplomat of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists since 2011.
In episode #104 of The Dental Works Podcast, Dr. Terry Work talks about the importance of implant longevity and some things implantologists need to plan ahead for. You can listen along to the podcast on your favorite podcast player or watch the latest episodes on youtube.
How Long do Implants Last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime. However, like natural teeth, there are many factors that can affect the longevity of a dental implant. Let’s review a few of them.
Surrounding Soft Tissue
In episode #104 of the Dental Works Podcast, Dr. Work touches on the importance of the surrounding soft tissue around the implant. If a patient doesn't have enough healthy soft tissue, there is a chance that the implant could get infected which is called Peri-implantitis.
When the patient has very little soft tissue, Dr. Work completes a treatment called a connective tissue graft. A connective tissue graft is when healthy tissue is taken from one area of the mouth to the area being treated. Once the area heals, it should have enough healthy soft tissue to continue the implant treatment. A good oral implantologist plans ahead for these types of cases to ensure implant longevity.
Bone Density
In order to get a dental implant, you must have good bone density. Dr. Work touches on a recent patient he is treating who will eventually receive dental implants. Unfortunately, this particular patient has gone a long time without some teeth and it has caused severe bone loss in her jaw. When you go a long time without teeth it can cause bone atrophy.
When a patient has a low bone density in their jaw, they are ineligible for dental implants. In order to safely place implants on them, they would have to undergo bone graft treatment. You can learn more about bone grafts and when bone graft treatment is needed here.
Do you Qualify for Dental Implants?
In order to qualify for dental implants a patient must:
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Have healthy bone tissue
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Have healthy surrounding soft tissue
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Be in need of an extraction ( or already have missing teeth)
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Be in good overall health
Dr. Work will help patients with determining if they qualify for dental implants.
Dental Works has been providing restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ for over 27 years and will help you determine if dental implants are the right option for you and create a detailed treatment plan so you can fully understand the procedure, steps, and recovery process. If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants and what they can do for you, please contact us today.
