Dental implants are a very popular and effective solution for people looking to replace their missing teeth permanently. Several factors affect the longevity of different dental treatments and dental implants are no exception! To make the most of your investment, taking proper care of your dental implants is essential. If you have been wondering ‘’how long do dental implants last?’’ let us guide you through some practical steps to ensure your dental implants last as long as possible!
For the longevity of dental implants, maintaining good oral hygiene is a must regardless of where you have them placed. After getting your tooth implants, continue brushing and flossing every day to remove plaque and prevent infections. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to protect the implants’ surfaces. An antimicrobial mouthwash can also help reduce the risk of gum disease, which can cause implant failure.
You should also clean the areas around the implants. You may use interdental brushes for this purpose. They can reach the difficult areas that a regular floss cannot reach. Keeping the implants clean helps prevent the peri-implantisis, a condition that can lead to implant failure. So, even though the expertise of the surgeon and the success rate of the clinic are very important after your implants are placed, you are responsible for taking good care of them!
Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods for Healthy Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to be highly strong and durable, yet they can still be damaged if exposed to very hard and sticky foods. You should avoid chewing ice, hard candies and/or sticky snacks as they can put unnecessary stress on your tooth implants. To avoid such complications, stick to a diet of softer, healthier foods that are easier on your teeth and implants.
Also, you may consider incorporating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are vital for maintaining bone health. To support the dental implants, strong bones are essential. So, ensure your diet includes dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Drinking at least 2 liters of water and staying hydrated also helps keep your mouth healthy, promoting saliva production, which naturally cleans your teeth and gums.
Protect Your Implants During Sports and Sleep
If you engage in contact sports, wear a mouthguard to prevent injury or any damage to your implants. Similarly, if you grind your teeth while you are sleeping (a condition known as bruxism), using a night guard can help protect your implants from excessive force. Night guards are custom-made to suit your teeth and mouth type. You can request a nightguard from your dentist during your implant appointment.
Chronic stress can also cause bruxism and in this case, consider incorporating stress management techniques into your daily routine. Activities such as yoga, meditation, and regular daily walks can help reduce stress levels and protect your dental implants from the damaging effects of teeth grinding. Yes, your stress affects your teeth too!
After getting your dental implants, it's important to plan the post-procedure care. Because the success of the operation depends on the post-care process too, this includes following the specific aftercare instructions provided by your dentist, such as maintaining a soft diet initially and avoiding excessive force. If you got your implants outside of your home country, once you return home, continue keeping in touch with the dentist’s team by sending pictures and letting them know if you realize any changes. Stay connected with your implant specialist for ongoing support and advice.
You should also plan regular dental check-ups with your local dentist. In this way, they can spot early signs of complications, such as gum inflammation or implant movement, and address them promptly. It's recommended to schedule professional teeth cleanings and examinations at least twice a year.
After getting tooth implants, if you smoke, consider quitting or reducing it significantly. Because smoking impacts the success and longevity of your implants by impairing blood flow to the gums. This results in impairing your body's ability to heal properly after the operation. And proper healing is crucial for the implant's fusion process and if this process is disrupted, the implant may not integrate well and potentially fail. Smoking also affects the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections. It reduces blood circulation so, fewer white blood cells can reach the implant site, which is really important in combating bacteria. So, if you are smoking, there is a high risk of peri-implantisis, a serious infection that can cause bone loss and lead to implant failure if not treated promptly. Quitting smoking is not only beneficial for your oral health but also for your overall well-being. Two birds with one stone!
So, if you take care of your dental implants, they may last around 25 years or more if they are high-quality brands and the surgeon is skillful. By following the above-mentioned instructions, you can ensure that your implants remain functional for years! So now let's take a brief look at how dental implants actually work.
As we covered the long-waited question “how long do dental implants last?”, it may be beneficial to talk about tooth implants' working function. Tooth implants work by replacing the missing tooth's root with a small titanium screw which your surgeon inserts into the jawbone. After inserting you should wait for 3 months for the osseointegration process, where it fuses with the bone, creating a stable and durable foundation. Once the implant is integrated without any problem, a custom-made dental crown is attached on top of the implant, mimicking the appearance and function of a natural tooth. After this attachment, you can enjoy speaking, eating and smiling comfortably with your new tooth!
Choosing a reliable and experienced place for getting a dental implant is crucial for this kind of life-changing operation. You should be extra careful if you consider getting it done abroad. Turkey is known for high-quality dental treatment at significantly affordable prices, due to high exchange rate differences, the government’s support for medical tourism and competition between many clinics. However, check for these points before deciding on any place:
Before-after photos of real patients
Clinic’s accreditation from Ministry of Health
Dentists’ experience years and background
Positive patient reviews
Modern facilities with high technology equipment.
At Smile Center, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, all-included dental implants in Turkey. Our team of skilled medical professionals and patient hosts has been providing excellent services to thousands of patients all around the world! Reach out now to learn more about us!
Smile Center’s Patients’ Before and After Photos
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Rana, Akshim & Srivastava, Shitij & Chaturvedi, Anshuman & Saxena, Shivansh & Jaiswal, Honey. (2024). Dental Implant Failures and its Management. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL REVIEWS. 11. 209.
Warreth, Abdulhadi & Ibieyou, Najia & O'Leary, Ronan & Cremonese, Matteo & Abdulrahim, Mohammed. (2017). Dental implants: An overview. Dental Update. 44. 596-620. 10.12968/denu.2017.44.7.596.
