How Many Years do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are ideal for patients who want to correct areas where one or multiple teeth are missing. Implants are surgically placed underneath the gum line and take about three to six months to fully heal and fuse with the bone. Once healed, the implant acts as an abutment for crowns, bridge work, dentures and partials. Most dental implants that are used are made out of surgical-grade titanium, so the body handles well with the metal being implanted underneath the gum tissue.

With proper care and routine dental checkups, your implant can last a lifetime without needing to be repaired or replaced. Titanium implants are built to withstand a lot of force and pressure, so they are incredibly durable for virtually every patient who has one. The restorations and prosthetics that are placed on top of the implant may need to be replaced more frequently. For instance, a denture should be replaced every five to seven years. A crown or bridge should be completely replaced with a new restoration every 10 to 15 years. While the implant is built to last a lifetime, it is vitally important to have the restorations that are placed on top of the implant checked and replaced frequently to ensure optimal oral health.

Once an implant has been placed, it can take anywhere from three to six months to fully heal into place. This involves the titanium implant fusing with the bone to create a secured abutment for any restoration to be placed on top. During the time that the implant is healing, it is important to keep up with dental appointments with Dr. Gurinsky to ensure that it is healing into place successfully. A successfully healed implant will last for decades without any problem or worries, providing you with a permanent solution to all of your smile woes.