How Do Dental Implants Last So Long?

A traditional bridge stays in place for 10 to 15 years. Removable dentures can remain secure for about 5 to 10 years. But dental implants? They can last decades, potentially even a lifetime with proper care and attention! But how is this possible? In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist talks about the longevity of dental implants.

The Causes and Dangers of Tooth Loss

First, let’s talk about tooth loss. We can lose our teeth to a number of complications, such as cavities, infections, and injury to the teeth. Gum disease, or more actually, the advanced stage known as periodontitis, could lead to missing teeth. In fact, this is the number one cause of lost teeth. When we have gaps in our smile, this could cause misalignment, TMJ disorder and/or bruxism (teeth grinding), complications eating, and even issues speaking clearly. You could also lose additional teeth and develop an aged appearance as your body stops sending nutrients to the jaw around the lost roots, causing the smile to lose mass and density. But we can help with the placement of dental implants!

Preparing You Smile for Placement

To begin, we will carefully examine your smile and assess the strength of your jawbone. We want to address any underlying issues and also make sure the smile can accommodate the implant posts. For some, grafting or a sinus lift may be necessary to fortify the smile first. Our team will choose the best angle, position, and depth to insert these posts, so you can receive new roots that stimulate jawbone growth and stay in place for decades to come.

Securing Your Dental Implants

Our team will numb the placement area and also offer sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm and relation. We then carefully insert the posts into your smile. The body will accept them as natural roots, allowing them to bond with the bone structure. Once the placement area heals, we will attach an abutment to the posts, which extends above the gum line so we can connect a crown to complete your new tooth. If you have advanced tooth loss, we could use several posts to support a bridge or even a complete set of dentures, so you have long-lasting and lifelike prosthetics.

If you have any questions about treating tooth loss, or if you want to see if dental implants are right for your smile, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a full smile, so you can smile with confidence.

TALK TO OUR TEAM TODAY ABOUT IMPLANT DENTISTRY!

We want to offer a durable and natural-looking solution for your missing teeth. To schedule your appointment, call MMC Dental in Houston, TX, at (713) 926-8896.