When your teeth don’t last a lifetime, dental implants can take their place.

Did you know that elephants go through six sets of molars in their lives? When one set begins to get too worn down, a new set pushes forward to replace it. It’s easy to see how that adaptation would be helpful, especially if you’ve ever lost a tooth. When it comes to our teeth, though, we need to be careful to take care of the ones we have—our adult teeth need to last us a lifetime. We may not be able to sprout a new tooth after one falls out, but dentistry gives us the next best thing in the form of dental implants.

This tooth replacement option doesn’t stop at restoring the chewing surface of your tooth. It also replaces your tooth root, making implants the closest thing to regaining your missing natural tooth. As amazing as dental implants are, however, you may find yourself wondering how they stand up to the test of time. We want you to be able to enjoy your implants for decades to come, so we’ve put together a guide on what you can expect from your dental implant lifespan and how you can extend it.

Dental implants are designed with longevity in mind.

The titanium dental implants are made from is strong, durable, and biocompatible, so it encourages bone to grow up around it and hold it more securely in place—much like it does with a natural tooth root. This integration into your jaw bone helps implants feel and function like a natural tooth, but it also helps them last longer. So, how long do implants last? With proper care, a dental implant can last an entire lifetime without needing to be replaced. The only part of your implant that may eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear is the restoration that sits on top of it. Even this part of your implant should last a long time when you care for it properly, though, with crowns on top of implants generally lasting around 15 to 20 years before they need to be replaced. How long your implant and the restoration on top of it lasts, however, is heavily influenced by the steps you take to care for your implant. So while your implant is designed to last a lifetime, you can do your part to help it get there!

You play a vital role in helping your dental implants last a lifetime.

You can actually have a huge impact on your implant’s long-term success. The first way you can do this is by understanding the common causes of implant failure. After all, it’s a lot easier to prevent something if you understand what steps you need to take and why! There are a few reasons your implant could fail shortly after your procedure, including infection or a lack of osseointegration, which is when the bone doesn’t grow around your implant. The vast majority of implants succeed, but you can do your part to ensure that your implant does by carefully following Dr. Alhadef’s directions after your procedure. We want you to have the best treatment outcome possible, so following instructions like temporary changes to your diet, keeping your mouth clean, and completing a course of antibiotics is in your best interest. Smoking also increases your chances of infection and slows the healing process, so it’s wise to stop smoking at least temporarily if you want an implant.

Once your implant has healed, the most common cause of failure is decay. While the restoration on top of your implant can’t get cavities, gum disease is still a threat to the health of both your natural teeth and your implants. Severe gum disease, called periodontitis, is when bacteria make their way underneath your gum line and begin to attack tooth roots and the supporting structures of your teeth. When left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and cause implants to fail. Thankfully, gum disease is generally very easy to prevent! It’s usually a simple matter of sticking to a great oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day as well as flossing and using mouthwash daily.

The dentist you choose can also impact your implant’s longevity.

It’s understandable to want to find the best dentist in Dallas, TX, to perform your implant procedure—and it’s a good idea, too! We really can’t overstate the value of finding a dentist who is an expert in this field. An expert dentist like Dr. Alhadef has extensive experience placing implants, so he will find the best position for your implants and he knows how to handle any surprises your case may throw at him. You also want to find a dentist who uses top-quality products for all of their procedures, including their prosthodontics. These factors work together to set you and your implant up for success, giving you the best results possible. Despite this, you’ll still need to follow Dr. Alhadef’s after-care directions and practice great oral hygiene to make the most of these benefits!

You can look into your implant options at no cost to you.

We understand just how important it is to choose the right treatment as well as the right dentist to perform your procedure. To help ensure that you have as much information as possible to decide whether or not you want implants, Dr. Alhadef offers an initial virtual consultation, ideal if you simply want to discuss your treatment options. This way, you don’t have to feel pressured to decide on a treatment option right away—you can take your time to learn about your options and choose the best one for you! Similarly, if you’re looking for a second opinion on your treatment, Dr. Alhadef offers a free second opinion. Hopefully, this makes getting the information you need as easy and low cost as possible!

Even though we only get one set of adult teeth to last us a lifetime, modern dentistry ensures that we don’t have to live with the consequences of tooth loss forever. Dental implants help restore the function, feeling, and appearance of your natural teeth, all while protecting your long-term oral health. Even better, they do it for a lifetime—just like your natural tooth would! If you want to learn more about dental implants or would like to start the process of getting them, feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alhadef at any time!