How long do dental implants last?

This is much the same as asking how long natural teeth last, but is confused by the fact that dental implants also have crowns, bridges or dentures attached to them. Dental implants are in effect artificial roots and are certainly stronger than teeth. The crowns or bridges that are attached to the implants are made from metal, acrylic or porcelain materials that will themselves deteriorate with time. Acrylic materials will wear and stain eventually after several years and it is possible for porcelain to chip, so refurbishment will occasionally be necessary. Dental implant restorations also often have to match neighbouring natural teeth, which darken with time and also often show gum recession. Therefore further treatment can be required just to maintain an excellent overall appearance in future years.

We arrange a review appointment to see you again well within a year of you completing treatment. We usually see all our implant patients every few years to check on things and will probably advise that you see our hygienist, if you are not seeing one at your own dental practice. Dental implants can suffer from periodontal (gum) disease and lose the jaw bone around them, just like teeth, and so prevention of this problem in the future is very important to us. If you lost your natural teeth to gum disease then you will certainly need to see a dental hygienist every three months in the future because you are at risk of this problem recurring around your dental implants.

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