Are Dental Implants Permanent?

Are you struggling with missing teeth? Luckily, modern dentistry provides many great solutions to give you back a beautiful smile!

One of the most popular procedures to replace missing teeth is dental implant placement. However, the long healing timeline and the potential cost of the restoration make patients wonder if all that effort is worth it.

Specifically, are dental implants permanent? Keep reading to find out! 

How Do Dental Implants Work? 

Dental implants are artificial teeth designed to mimic both the look and function of your natural teeth. 

To achieve this, they are designed around three elements:

• The metal post, which acts as the tooth root
• An abutment, a connector piece
• The dental crown, the visible part of the implant 

The metal post is inserted into the jawbone to replace the missing tooth’s root. Then, the body enters a healing stage known as osseointegration, during which the bone and tissues fuse to the post, keeping it in place. 

This process can take around 6 months, and the implant placement process will only be completed after your body bonds with the implant. 

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement procedure. The dental crown sitting on top is subject to wear and tear and may need replacing after 10 to 15 years.

But even if the crown gets damaged, the abutment and metal post rarely need replacing. Unless you suffer trauma to the mouth or develop serious oral health issues such as gum disease, you’ll most likely keep the metal post and abutment for the rest of your life. 

How to Maintain a Dental Implant 

Good oral hygiene and routine visits to the dentist are the best ways to keep your dental implant for a long time.

This way, you can significantly reduce the risk of oral health issues that could affect your dental implant. Through preventative care, your dentist can also notice any troubling signs with your dental implants well before any major damage occurs. 

Apart from that, there are a few other strategies that could extend the implant's lifespan, such as:

• Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth.
• Don’t chew on hard objects or open packages with your teeth.
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to encourage saliva production.
• Stop smoking and using other tobacco products.
• Rinse the mouth after every meal with mouthwash, or drink a tall glass of tap water.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals. 

How Wojtowicz Dental Can Help

Are you interested in getting dental implants in Elroy, WI? First, you’ll need to see Dr. Emily for a short consultation to find out if you’re a good candidate for these artificial teeth.

To get implants, you need generally good oral health and a certain amount of healthy jaw bone. 

Schedule an appointment at Wojtowicz Dental online and come find out if implants are the right solution for you!