Dental implants are truly effective at restoring smiles. In fact, they work so well that their long-term success rate is over 95%! If you live nearby, though, you should know the dental implant lifespan in Topeka before you commit. That way, you could fully confirm the treatment is right for you. Luckily, your local dental practice can help out. Here, then, is a summary of implants’ average lifespan, the risks of implant failure, and how to help implants last.
So, What *is* the Lifespan of Dental Implants?
To be technical, an implant’s titanium base can last a lifetime. The metal part is biocompatible and durable, meaning it won’t wear out quickly. Its crown, though, has a more limited lifespan – about 10-15 years on average. Therefore, it’s generally said that implants tend to last for around 15 years or so.
That being said, the prosthetic — base, crown, and all — can last longer with maintenance. Given proper care, implants can have lifespans reaching 30 years or more!
Watch Out for Implant Failure
While rare, implant failure can and does happen. Consequently, you’ll want to keep various risk factors in mind.
Consider, for example, pre-existing health conditions – diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc. Patients with such ailments are at higher risk of losing their implants early. In particular, the illnesses could prevent the prosthetics from fusing with your jaw.
Oral problems are another treatment obstacle. Gum disease, especially, could cause your jaw to lose bone density. From there, your jawbone would lack the support to handle implants.
How Can You Help Implants Last?
To get the most out of your implants, you’ll want them to last as long as possible. As such, practice the following tips:
- Remember Dental Hygiene: Dental implants require good oral care, like natural teeth. So, make sure to brush them twice daily, floss them once daily, and rinse them with mouthwash. These habits will lower your odds of infections and the like.
- Eat a “Smile-Friendly” Diet: Acidic or sugary things can cause cavities and gum disease. To avoid those issues, eat a “smile-friendly” diet of lean proteins, dairy items, and greens.
- Avoid Bad Oral Habits: Chewing ice and biting fingernails could chip your implants. Similarly, smoking tobacco products makes you likely to get gum disease.
As you can see, the dental implant lifespan in Topeka can vary. Therefore, remember to use the tips above, so your own implants last a long while!
About the Practice
Michel Dental has locations in both Silver Lake and Topeka, KS. Led by Drs. Michel and Baltazar, our practice strives to offer the highest quality dentistry. To that end, we perform many preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental procedures. Naturally, this fact also means we offer top-of-the-line dental implants for your smile! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website and by phone at (785)-273-0801 or (785)-582-0185.