Are you considering getting dental implants but not sure if they’re worth it? Choosing a dental implant procedure is a huge commitment, but it’s a commitment that will positively impact the functionality of your mouth as well as your confidence.
But before making that big decision, it’s important to know as much information on dental implants as possible, including how much they cost and how long they last. If you’re seeking the answer to these questions, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep reading to learn the answer to the question of “how long do dental implants last” and more information on the treatment to help you decide whether dental implants are right for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Before jumping into the answer to “how long do dental implants last,” let’s start with a refresher on what dental implants are.
Dental implants are replacement teeth for your natural teeth that may have fallen out or been extracted. Typically, people who get dental implant surgery have experienced one or more of the following to cause tooth loss:
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Physical injury
In each of these situations, dental implants are a solution that fixes your smile and has it looking as it once was.
The dental implant itself is composed of a titanium post and an artificial tooth connected with an abutment. The post integrates into your jawbone and seals itself into your gums to hold the artificial tooth in place.
It takes multiple appointments to prepare for a dental implant treatment, and the full process can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. The full treatment itself lasts between one and two hours, during which you are sedated.
Let’s check out the multiple benefits of dental implants.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
A dental implant treatment can transform your mouth and your life, and getting them has several benefits. Here are a few.
Won’t Decay
One of the top benefits of dental implant placement is that they won’t decay as your real teeth can. Since dental implants aren’t real and the crown is sealed, you don’t have to worry about tooth decay.
In contrast, the gap caused by a missing tooth is an easy trap for food, which can lead to gum disease and other infections.
However, it’s important to keep up with good dental hygiene as it’s still possible for food to get trapped beneath the crown and infect your gums/
Keep Your Other Teeth in Place
Another benefit of dental implant placement is the impact that they have on the rest of your teeth and your mouth as a whole.
A gap caused by a missing tooth can cause the teeth surrounding that gap to shift, pulling your teeth out of their natural position and potentially affecting their appearance and your ability to bite or chew.
The longer you keep this gap, the more difficult it becomes to put in a dental implant and correct the position of your teeth. Dental implant surgery can prevent other dental problems from arising and keep all of your teeth aligned.
Prevent Bone Loss
Did you know that when there’s no tooth where one should be, the bone beneath deteriorates due to lack of stimulation? In fact, in as little as a year, that bone can lose up to 25% of its volume, a number that increases as the years go by.
Since an implant goes into your root, it provides the bone with the stimulation it needs for growth.
Behave Like the Real Things
Although your dental implants will not feel like your other real teeth, they’ll act like real teeth and blend into your mouth seamlessly.
It’s hard to chew without all of your teeth. Dental implants give you your full chewing power, making it easier to break down your food and enabling better digestion. You can brush and floss them as normal to ensure the health of the gums around the implant.
The last benefit of dental implants is their longevity. Let’s take a look at the answer to the question “how long do dental implants last?”
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
One of the best parts about dental implants is how long they last – with proper care, they can potentially last a lifetime. Unlike real teeth, your dental implants won’t decay, but they still require proper care and maintenance to prolong their life in your mouth.
There are circumstances where you might need to get the crown or bridge replaced every 5 to 10 years, but the implant itself lasts much longer. Get your implants checked out regularly to ensure that the tissue around the implant remains healthy.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The price of dental implants varies based on your region, the severity of your mouth, and your dentist. However, the dental implant process is generally one of the priciest restorative dentistry treatments you can get, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a single tooth. If you want something close to a full mouth of implants, you may spend upwards of $100,000.
That said, considering that dental implants have the power to last forever, they are often worth the investment. Some insurance companies with comprehensive dental coverage may cover a portion of the treatment.
The Verdict: Are Dental Implants Right For You?
Now that you know the answer to “how long do dental implants last,” you should hopefully have a better idea of whether this is the right treatment for you.
Dental implants can have a major impact on the way you smile, the way you chew, and the overall way you feel. They may be an investment, but they’re an investment worth making for your health and your confidence.
If you’re interested in starting the process of getting dental implants, contact us at Shelburne Village Dental to set up an appointment.
