Dec 07 2022
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Dental implant, how long does it last?
How long does a dental implant last?
It is known that the best option for dental loss or absence is the placement of a dental implant. The most frequent questions that patients ask us are: how long will dental implants last, if they are for life or if they are the same as our natural teeth?
The basic purpose of a dental implant is to integrate into the bone, a process known as osseointegration. According to published studies the survival rate of dental implants is usually 95-97%.
There are different factors that can determine the longevity of the implant. One of the most important conditions for the implant to remain in the mouth for a long time is the oral hygiene of the patients. If, after placing an implant, there is not good oral hygiene, bacteria accumulate and proliferate in the area of the implant and inflammatory response of the mucosa begins to defend itself against said bacteria. This inflammation is known as mucositis. If this is not treated or the bacterial load in the area is not reduced, it can lead to peri-implantitis, which is inflammation in the implant area and is accompanied by bone loss. The failure of an implant in the mouth is due to excessive bone loss around the area of the implant. The bone loss will create a lack of anchorage for the implant and it will begin to move.
How does tobacco affect a dental implant?
Another factor to take into account is tobacco. Patients who smoke are at greater risk of dental implant failure because smoking affects the integration of the implant with the bone, slows down the healing process of the bone and the osseointegration process, and also weakens the bone, possibly causing an infection. Therefore, smoking reduces the success rate of implants.
It must also be taken into account that there are certain systemic diseases, such as diabetes, which can reduce the duration of the dental implant. Since there is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and the healing and regeneration processes. In addition, some of these systemic diseases are treated with drugs that alter bone metabolism and bone quality, such as bisphosphonates or antidepressants.
Therefore, in order for an implant to last as long as possible in the mouth, it is essential to go to the dentist for check-ups and follow correct hygienic guidelines.
BLASI Dental Clinic Barcelona specialists in dental implants
At Blasi Dental Clinic in Barcelona we are specialists in dental implants. Our implantology specialists has extensive experience in the field not only clinically but also in research. If you have a dental absence, we recommend that you visit our periodontist and implantologist.