Dental implants are seen as a long-term solution for missing teeth. They are sturdy and reliable and should last many years. For the vast majority of people who get an implant placed, they will work very well, and daily activities such as chewing and speaking can be completed without any issues.
If you have searched for “dental implants near me”, it’s important to be aware not just of how an implant works, but also to understand what can potentially cause issues with the implant over time.
At Clove Dental Riverpark, we emphasize the importance of both placing an implant and taking care of it long after it was placed, helping to preserve the result.
Can Dental Implants Fail After Years?
Yes, although it is not very common, dental implants can fail even after several years of functioning well.
Early failure occurs during the time the implant is fusing to the bone. Late failure occurs after the fusing is complete.
Most late-failed implants are because of changes in the bone or the gums surrounding that implant; therefore, when searching for “dental implants near me”, a patient should incorporate consideration of the long-term maintenance of that implant as part of their decision.
Habits That Affect Implant Longevity
Ways in which an individual’s day-to-day behaviour can impact the longevity of dental implants.
Teeth Grinding
When a person grinds their teeth it creates additional force on their dental implants and affects the surrounding structures as a result.
Smoking
Smoking affects the amount of blood flow to the gums and can therefore impact how healthy the tissues are.
Poor Oral Hygiene
When plaque accumulates around dental implants, this can lead to inflammation or infection of the surrounding tissues.
Irregular Dental Visits
If you do not attend regular checkups with your dentist, you could be delaying the discovery of early stage problems with your implants.
Many patients seeking to find “dental implants near me” may usually only think about the procedure itself but it’s also important to focus on their behaviours after the procedure has occurred for any potential negative effects on implant longevity.
What is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissue surrounding dental implants that is similar to that of gum disease.
It can cause-
- Gum redness or inflammation.
- Bleeding of gums around the implant.
- Bone loss over a gradual period of time.
In addition, failing to treat peri-implantitis in its early stages can result in failure of the dental implant.
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
Implant failure may not always demonstrate immediate symptoms (pain). There are a number of things you ultimately need to be observant of.
Look for:
- Implant is loosening
- Pain when chewing
- Swollen/tenderness around the gum tissue.
- Changes to your bite or how it fits together.
Warning signs of implant failure may happen at a gradual rate over a period of time. Early detection of these signs may allow for reducing additional damage and/or improving the overall outcome of your treatment.
Are Dental Implants Still a Reliable Option?
Yes! Implants for teeth can last quite a long time if you follow the instructions given by your dentist when they put in the implants. However, unlike “teeth-in-a-day” procedures, implants must be cared for as time goes on, and will require routine visits to your dentist.
If you are considering implants for teeth, you will want to view the entire process of receiving your dental implants as a long-term commitment. Your dentist will go over with you all of the things that will affect how long your dental implants last.
Final Thoughts
Dental implants offer stability and function, but their success depends on more than just the initial placement. Some of the reasons that your dental implants may not continue to function how they should is that they weren’t placed in bone with adequate dental health; how you care for your implants daily; and whether you see your dentist often enough.
If you have dental implants for teeth or are thinking about getting dental implants, you want to make sure that you’re providing yourself with the best long-term care you can, and that you are following your dentist’s program for some of the things that can affect how long your implants for teeth last.