Tooth loss is often the culmination of a lifetime of oral health issues - primarily advanced cavities and severe gum disease, but can also result from trauma or other factors. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 7% of adults over 20 around the world have lost all of their teeth, with this rate soaring to 23% for those over 60. Losing teeth can be emotionally devastating, socially isolating, and functionally limiting.
Dental implants are the preferred solution to this worldwide epidemic, offering a natural, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to missing teeth. But are they a permanent, lifetime solution? Or are they just like other treatment options such as dentures and bridges that require adjustments and replacements?
Gösta Larsson, the first-ever patient who received the first titanium dental implants to treat his jaw deformities, had implants for over 40 years. He underwent the procedure in 1965 and passed away in 2006 with his implants still intact at the time of his death.
Dental implants, bridges, and dentures
Dental implants consist of a titanium screw that's surgically placed into the jawbone and is covered by a crown to create a complete and aesthetically pleasing tooth. They can be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth. While their longevity depends on various factors, conservative estimates place the lifespan of dental implants at a minimum of 10 years, with an average of 25 years.
Bridges are typically used when there are multiple missing teeth in a row. They consist of crowns that fit over your natural teeth on either side of the gap and artificial teeth in between. However, bridges require healthy adjacent teeth to support the missing teeth. If these supporting teeth deteriorate, the bridge may need to be replaced. Typically, a bridge lasts 7 years.
Dentures are often used when the remaining teeth cannot support a bridge. They can either be full or partial, depending on the number of missing teeth. However, dentures may require adjustments over time, typically every 5 years, due to natural wear and tear, changes in your mouth, or damage to the dentures themselves.
Dental implants are built to last.
Unlike dentures and bridges which rely on existing teeth for support, dental implants are self-anchoring, providing a more stable and long-lasting solution.
Dental implants prevent bone loss.
Another key advantage of dental implants is their ability to address bone loss, a common reason why bridges and dentures need to be replaced.
When the roots of our teeth are no longer there to stimulate the jawbone's natural repair and replenishment cycle, the bone itself begins to weaken and resorb over time. This leads to a change in the shape of the mouth and face, causing dentures and bridges to become loose or ill-fitting. Dental implants, on the other hand, with their artificial roots, stimulate the jawbone to eradicate bone loss and remain firmly in place.
Dental implants are fused to the jawbone.
Dental implants fuse with the bone by a natural biological process called osseointegration where the bone and the implant form an organic structural bond. This strong connection provides stability and durability, ensuring that your implant remains firmly in place for many years.
Can dental implants really be considered a lifetime solution? In the right circumstances - and with the right care - absolutely, yes.
How can you make your dental implants last?
While dental implants and implant crowns are resistant to decay and erosion, they can still be affected by gum disease, a common problem for many adults. Poorly maintained implants can develop plaque and tartar buildup, leading to gum infections and disease which are just as harmful to implants as it is to natural teeth.
Ultimately, it is fair to say that your dental implants will last for as long as they are maintained, and kept clean, and your gums are healthy. With the right circumstances, they most certainly are expected to last a lifetime.
If you’re looking for dental implant experts in Dubai, or are curious about All-on-4, pterygoid, or zygomatic implants, please give our team at SameDay Dental Clinic a call at 04 315 8300.
