Can Implants last forever?
What is the average longevity of a dental implant?
What you should know before placing a dental implant
Rules to strech the lifespan of implants
Dental implants longevity
Dental implants are supposed to be a permanent treatment with a predicted longevity of around 20 to 25 years.
Implants form a stable connection with the bone that is called osteointegration.
This process takes approximately 2 to 4 months in the lower jaw and 3 to 6 on the upper jaw and, at the end of that period, implant and bone are fused together and implants can be used as an artificial solid root for the rehabilitation (either with a crown, bridge or full mouth procedures).
Brief history of dental implants
Although there are records of ” implant like” procedures since the time of the Egyptians, if you want to adress modern Implantology, one landmark would be 1957 when orthopaedic Swedish surgeon Branemark studied the integration of titanium screws in fractured bones.
He saw that after stabilising bone fractures with the titanium screws they would become fused to the bone after some months and he could no longer be able to remove them. He called this process Osteointegration.
From that moment onwards the amount of scientific data and dental implants placed around the world is huge and implants are fundamental in the replacement of one or more lost teeth.
Factors that influence implant durability
Experience of the surgeon
As one would expect this is a huge factor.
In order to plan and do this surgery you have to be qualified and have years of experience.
In my case I´m a Medical Doctor specialized in Stomatology and Maxilo-Facial Surgery and have 35 years of clinical practice.
Planning
- Careful planning with clinical observation
- Radiograph
- CT scans will permit us to select not only the surgical technique used but the implant, according to the amount and quality of bone available, presence of anatomical structures,etc
Implants used
There is a wide number of implant bands in the market with very different prices and quality standards.
The choice of an implant brand with which the surgeon is familiarised and is backed up by strong clinical and scientific evidence is fundamental.
It is also important to give the patient the Implant Passport ( its reference and place in the mouth so that both the patient or any dentists in the future will know exactly what is placed in where).
Rehabilitation
The quality of what is placed on the implants either it be crowns, bridges, etc is fundamental both aesthetically, functionally and will also influence the durability of the treatment
Bruxism
The patients with bruxism ( both night and day) have an increased probability of implant fracture, which is very rare, but, as one would expect, more probable in those patients.
They should be advised to wear a Night Guard
Tobacco
Tobacco seriously harms the micro-circulation and healing thus the osteointegration .
Patients must be aware of that and must be advised to stop smoking or at least smoke as few cigarettes as possible.
This is so important that many surgeons refuse to place implants in smokers
Chronic uncontrolled diseases
- Diabetes
- Periodontal disease
- Heart disease
- Patients submitted to radiotherapy of the head and neck
In a nutshell there are Five Rules to stretch the lifespan of Implants
1. Choose an experienced surgeon
2. Always keep a good oral hygiene
3. Checkups and oral hygiene appointments every six months
4.If you suffer from bruxism wear a night guard
5. if you’re a smoker quit smoking
