Dealing with missing teeth and thinking about getting dental implants in Houston? They can be an effective way to restore your smile, help you regain confidence in your appearance, and support your overall oral health.
But do these benefits last? How long until you need to replace dental implants?
Well, the first thing to understand is that you actually don’t have to replace the entire dental implant. If that sounds confusing, then keep reading to understand everything about replacing dental implants.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are artificial teeth designed to mimic a natural tooth. To do this, they are made of three elements:
- Metal post
- Abutment
- Dental crown
The metal post is the root of the implant and the only part that actually gets inserted into the jaw bone. After a healing period of around 6 months, patients can then receive the abutment, a connector piece that can also absorb pressure, and then the dental crown, which is the visible part of the implant.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last anywhere between 10-15 years, maybe even longer with the right care. But you might have read that dental implants can also last a lifetime. So, which is it?
Well, both, in a way.
When talking about replacing dental implants, it’s actually the dental crown that likely needs replacing. This is a porcelain prosthetic that, although strong, can lose its strength over time. Sooner or later, the dental crown may need to be replaced if it chips, cracks, or breaks.
But when this happens, you don’t have to go through the dental implant process all over again.
Does the Metal Post or Abutment Need to Be Replaced Too?
Sometimes, yes, the abutment could also need to be replaced along with the dental crown. Years of constant chewing and applying pressure to them could wear them down and create damage.
But the metal post, which sits underneath the gum, most often doesn’t need to be changed at all. Patients can get an upgrade to their reconstruction without disturbing the metal post at all.
But, there are exceptions:
- Gum disease – If you develop gum disease, this infection can start attacking your gums and jaw bone health, which could also lead to issues with your dental implant. If left unchecked, gum disease can even cause implant failure;
- Trauma – A direct blow to the mouth or jaw could break the metal post, in which case you’ll need a new one.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you can see Houston dentists, Dr. Bianca Williams or Dr. John Ma, for a consultation.
You can get a personalized treatment plan to fix your smile based on a review of your oral health.
Book a consultation at EaDo Family Dental online, or call us at (713) 474-2334 for a chat.
Comments are closed.