How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Here at our London dental practice, our experts love the power of dental implants, which can transform a smile that’s been affected by missing teeth.

Dental implants are by no means a new technology, but they are becoming increasingly refined – and more and more common among patients. Having said that, our dentists find that some patients still don’t know what their options are for restorative dentistry. So, we’ll discuss dental implants in a bit more detail in this post.

How long do tooth implants in London last?

Incredibly, these false teeth are a permanent replacement for missing teeth. That means they should last the same as your natural teeth do. The reason for this is in the name: implant. When placed, these clever false teeth actually fuse to the jaw bone, providing a strong anchor point for talking, chewing, smiling and more.

Can my tooth implants develop problems?

Not exactly, although there are a few things to be aware of.

– Gum disease, periodontitis and bone loss can all affect your dental implants. These factors can cause tooth implants to come loose or come out altogether, and can also affect whether or not you’re suitable for dental implants in the first place – without adequate soft tissue and bone, there’s no suitable anchor for the tooth implant to fuse to.
– Smoking can inhibit the healing process. This means the tooth implants could take longer than usual to properly fuse and what’s more, there’s a greater risk of receding gums in the future.
– The crown can become damaged. The ‘tooth’ part of the implant is typically made from porcelain. Just like a crown fitted to an existing tooth, or indeed a natural tooth, it’s possible to sustain fractures or chips due to accidents, injuries and other factors.

Will my dental implant hurt?

An anaesthetic is administered to help prevent pain and discomfort, but it’s advised to take over-the-counter pain relief in the early days to minimise sensitivity. Once everything has healed, there shouldn’t be any pain, and you should book in with our London dental practice immediately if you experience any.

What else do I need to know?

Care for your dental implant as you would your natural teeth – brushing, flossing and check-ups. This can help prevent any potential problems in the future, such as gum disease.

For questions, bookings and anything else regarding dental implants in London, get in touch with us today or simply book online.