I have been placing implants since the mid-eighties. That was when a new kind of dental implant was introduced that was radically different and better than anything that had been used before. When I first started placing these implants, patients would ask, “how long will they last?” We thought that once they became integrated (attached to the jaw bone), they would last a lifetime.
The good news is that implants can last a lifetime! Many things have changed since the eighties. The design and manufacturing of implants has improved in significant ways. We have learned a great deal about factors that improve the success of implants and the appearance of implant-supported restorations. We have also learned that there are factors that work against the long-term success of implants. Thus, the question, “how long will they last?’ is still a good one.
Chief amongst the factors that contribute to the success of implants is that they must be cleaned in the same way that we clean our natural teeth. This includes daily effective oral hygiene and regular, frequent professional cleanings. The billions of bacteria, called dental plaque, that live in our mouths can grow around implants just like it does around our teeth. These bacteria can lead to the loss of supporting bone around both teeth and implants if they are not removed in a timely and effective manner. This is particularly important since the attachment and seal of the gum around and to implants is much more fragile than the attachment of the gum to the teeth.
Another factor that works against the health and longevity of both implants and teeth is your bite or occlusion. Some people have a tendency to grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. This can put tremendous damaging forces on both the natural teeth and implants. Two signs that this kind of destructive force is occurring are: one, the biting surfaces of your teeth and restorations such as crowns have been worn flat, i.e., the cusp tips are gone, and two, you have developed notches or grooves on the facial side of your teeth where the enamel crown meets the root. This is usually accompanied by recession of the gum.
If these signs are present then wearing a night-guard can prevent further damage to the teeth and implants since it is almost impossible to stop grinding, especially when it occurs at night while you are asleep.
With good care, implant-supported restorations can look as attractive as your natural teeth and can give many years of comfortable service, possibly for a lifetime.