1. Introduction
As most people likely know, titanium rod repairs are done by replacing lost teeth with dental implants made from a titanium alloy. These are metal posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone where there are missing teeth. This titanium post acts as a tooth root substitute and is then topped with an abutment, to which a crown is cemented or placed with screws in order to make the damaged area look cosmetically appealing. Making the choice to undergo this surgery for our patients’ mouths, we want to be absolutely certain that we are offering the best treatment available. Therefore, an analysis of the longevity of dental implants would prove to be a very beneficial topic to discuss. This is most definitely a treatment in dentistry that will be around until we are all long gone. The purpose of this paper is to show concrete evidence defining the lifespan of dental implants. With this information, it will allow for efficient allocation between the disadvantages and advantages of this form of dental treatment. Additionally, by obtaining relevant studies and information that show the average life expectancy of dental implants, it may allow for further focus on the upgrade of existing materials and also the implementation of new improved materials currently being researched. Perhaps more research can be done by measuring the strength of different implant materials over time.
1.1 Importance of Dental Implants
A person who is missing a tooth or a number of teeth will have a decrease in confidence and self-esteem. When a person suffers from tooth loss, it changes the way they look and feel. They are no longer free to eat any type of food they choose and accept the dietary limitations. Dental implants can restore a person’s confidence and self-esteem by giving back their smile and freedom to eat what they want. Implants are designed to be natural-looking and to fuse with your jawbone to become a permanent solution for tooth loss. This can give the patient peace of mind by not having to worry about slipping as with dentures or the clicking sounds with chewing that occurs with partials. Implants allow patients to regain their quality of life by once again being able to eat their favorite foods and not having to avoid certain foods due to their oral conditions. An additional benefit with dental implants is the preservation of jawbone and facial structure. When teeth are missing, the natural bone deteriorates over time. When nothing is done to replace the missing teeth, the patient can suffer from severe changes in their facial structure and prematurely age, looking much older than they are. With dental implants, the bone is able to grow and fuse around the implant, preventing any further bone loss and ensuring a more youthful and stimulating look. This is not the case with partials and dentures because they do not have the same success in preventing bone loss and can actually hinder the bone from growing.
1.2 Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many advantages in choosing dental implants as the solution to replacement of missing teeth, over all other options. Some of these include improved appearance, greater ability to chew and enjoy food, improved comfort with the removal of partial or full dentures, and decreased risk to oral health. With the support of dental implants, replacement teeth can look, feel, and function similar to natural teeth. This is because they are so closely designed to real teeth. In the case of single replacement crowns, implant-supported teeth can also allow room to access and clean between each tooth, more effectively preventing decay and gum disease. For people who may have had dentures for many years, an adequate amount of bone is needed to support the denture. Long-term denture wearers often suffer with the dentures becoming loose due to slow bone deterioration. Implants help to maintain bone and decrease further bone loss. In addition to this, because implants are the most optimal solution for replacement of teeth, they have a very high survival rate and with good care, can last a lifetime. With so many benefits of dental implants and a high chance of long-term success, it is easy to see why they are fast becoming the preferred solution to replacement of teeth.
Replacement teeth that are generally prescribed, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, bring with them a lot of disadvantages. For instance, these remedies ought to be settled to adjacent teeth, which often requires the reduction of valuable adjacent tooth structure. Also, partial dentures are infamous for wobbling and moving around in the mouth. Tooth-supported replacement of teeth, as well as removable dentures, aren’t the most ideal solution to tooth loss. Often, they can result in further oral health complications and more restoration work and expense to correct them in the future. For those who may be missing most, if not all, of their teeth, there is never-ending suffering and embarrassment that comes from dentures which are continually unfastening while speaking or eating publicly. Step forward dental implants, modern dentistry’s answer to replacement of missing teeth. Implants may be thought of as replacement tooth roots, providing a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth.
1.3 Common Concerns about Dental Implant Longevity
Studies have shown that dental implants have a long-term success rate of well over 90%. For this reason, there should be no reason why an implant cannot last the patient’s lifetime. When investigating the longevity of anything that is placed inside the human body, it is important to break it down into 2 parts. First is the survival rate, which is how long the implant lasts before it fails. An implant is described as a failure if it is removed or if a crown is removed due to mechanical or biological complications. The survival rate for implant crowns is well over 95%. This is much higher than the survival rate of teeth prepared for conventional crowns and bridges. It is important to remember that the majority of implant failures occur shortly after the implant is placed. With modern advancements in dental implant technology, the success rate and therefore longevity of dental implants is only going to increase.
Patients are often curious about how long dental implants will last. Often the main concern is how they can afford to replace teeth again if the implant does not last. When comparing the cost of an implant to other tooth replacement procedures such as dentures and bridges, it is important to take into consideration the longevity provided by dental implants.
2. Factors Affecting Dental Implant Lifespan
Regular dental visits are very important because the implant patient will need professional cleanings to remove calcified plaque if it develops. The dental hygienists’ instruments used for this procedure are metal and are not appropriate for natural teeth with restored enamel, so there must be adequate implant angulation and a non-metal abutment or the implant surface may be scratched. This can damage the implant and abutment and lead to future problems. Periodic x-rays are also important so that the bone level on the implant can be monitored.
Daily removal of plaque through proper brushing and flossing is essential to the prevention of gum disease and bone loss around implants. The patient should be able to clean all surfaces of the implant, and the dentist may suggest using an interdental brush or floss threader.
Oral hygiene practices One of the reasons that dental implants are so successful is that they are not susceptible to cavities, but the health of the gums and underlying bone is still vital to maintaining implant health. Plaque can still build up on the surface of the implant, especially around the gumline. If it is not removed, this can cause inflammation of the gum and bone loss, much like periodontal disease around a natural tooth.
The average lifespan of dental implants is roughly twenty years, but it is not uncommon to see older individuals with completely successful implant integrations that have lasted since they were in their thirties or forties. Factors that can affect the lifespan of the dental implant are the same factors that can affect the lifespan of natural teeth or the health of bone, the support structure for the implant.
2.1 Oral Hygiene Practices
Good oral hygiene practices are probably the most critical variable which can influence the lifespan of an implant. Even a patient with poor genetic response to disease can still have success with implants, as the dental plaque and calculus are easily removed from implant surfaces compared to teeth. Mechanical oral hygiene procedures that may have been successful at maintaining the health of a patient’s natural teeth may no longer suffice when trying to maintain the health of dental implants. Patients need to be made aware of the importance of maintaining implant health through plaque removal on a daily basis. This may mean modifying interdental aids from brushes to single tufted brushes, and use of unwaxed tape or special floss through the use of threaders. Patients with a history of chronic inflammation of the gums and those with poor plaque control are at high risk of implant loss. These patients would need to be meticulously monitored and spend a great deal of time cleaning around their implants. Repeated professional maintenance by a dental professional would be necessary, as often the patient would not be able to access or even see the areas that require cleaning. Systemic antibiotics have also been suggested as an adjunct to mechanical therapy, but further research is needed to confirm their efficacy.
2.2 Overall Health and Lifestyle
In a study conducted in the 1970s, it was revealed that participants who are under stress (had a high life change score) have a lower chance to take up routine dental health care behaviors. The lifestyle of participants degraded to many distressing behaviors such as poor eating, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption. Those who underwent the dental implant procedure must be aware that smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are activities which lead to dehydration, weak immune response, and general poor wound healing. These behaviors have a negative effect on the healing process and directly reduce the potential for the implant to osseointegrate successfully. The same behavior that was portrayed long after the implant procedure is relevant to the retention of bone in the jaw. Eating patterns and neglect of oral hygiene have an effect on periodontal health, which is a major cause of bone resorption in the jaw. Participants who took up distressing behaviors and neglected regular dental health care have an increased risk of periodontal disease and bone loss. It is important to try to avoid or manage stressful situations and maintain a healthy lifestyle for the success and lifespan of dental implants. Although behavior habits may change, there are many unforeseen circumstances where participants’ health can be affected after they have had the dental implant procedure. Patients who develop conditions that are more severe than those stated above, such as osteoporosis, shall discuss treatment plans with their medical practitioner. Osteoporosis, a condition that affects bone density, could have a detrimental effect on the retention of the implant in the jaw due to the mechanical properties of the implant in healthy bone compared to that in bone which has low density. Specialty medical conditions require further thinking and better management for an extended lifespan for dental implants.
2.3 Quality of Implant Materials
It is common for patients to be seeking cheap dental implants, but it would be a compromise in quality for the implant material and other factors. A dentist might suggest that the best course of action is to save for a more expensive dental implant rather than rush into cheaper dental implants in the case that a more expensive implant may be the only way to replace a failed implant. High-quality dental implants will often come with a manufacturer’s guarantee and/or a warranty.
Another crucial factor affecting the lifespan of a tooth implant is its cost in relation to the quality of the implant material. Implants have traditionally been made of commercially pure (CP) titanium. The strength and biological performance of CP-titanium have been extensively researched for over 40 years, and it is the material of choice for most well-respected dental implant companies. As such, there is no study comparing the longevity of CP-titanium implants to the newer titanium alloys, ceramic implants, or zirconia implants since they have had little scientific and clinical testing. It would be safe to assume that CP-titanium implants are the best choice due to their proven biocompatibility and long-term results. All other implant materials can be considered a gamble, and it is likely that the cost of compromising on the quality of the material will be replacement implant surgeries. A study into ceramic implants over titanium found that the ceramic implants had a significantly higher failure rate.
2.4 Surgical Technique and Expertise
A final factor is the sealing of the flap. Techniques involve using stitches, pressure hardening the soft tissue, and various flap adhesive products. A general rule is that the tighter the flap can be sealed, the better the postoperative condition of the site with less pain and swelling. This will reduce the need for remedial surgery of the site, improving the chance of success of the dental implant. In turn, this will reduce the potential damage to the peri-implant bone, increasing the longevity requirements for postoperative care, supportive reconstructive periodontal surgery for implant success.
A surgical procedure entails implanting a metallic post beneath the gum into the jaw. Success of the surgery relies on the man’s skill to uncover chosen anatomical constructions or landmarks, avoiding essential buildings such as the nerve in the lower jaw, allowing the placement of the implant in order that it’s in direct contact with the bone, giving it the best possible support. This is accomplished by the creation of a flap, reflecting off the soft tissue from the underlying bone. It is important that the flap is sufficiently large to provide enough access and visibility of the placement area. The quality of the placement is judged by the accuracy and precision with which the implant is positioned. Too much velocity or too little velocity will cause overheating of the bone or necrosis respectively. When drilling with little energy, it’s advised to use an irrigation method to maintain the temperature at the drilling point below 47 degrees centigrade. If a site has poor quality bone, then this can be improved by the grafting of bone into the site. A better alternative to this may be using implants that are of a smaller diameter (mini-implants). In cases of severe bone loss in the upper jaw, a technique known as a sinus lift can be performed. This involves raising the floor of the maxillary sinus and grafting bone into the floor of the sinus. All these procedures must be carried out with caution, coagulating devices to avoid excessive bleeding of the site. All these procedures require utmost attention to detail, and therefore, a general rule is that the more time taken over a procedure, more often than not, indicates a higher success rate.
3. Average Lifespan of Dental Implants in Orange County
The average lifespan of a dental implant is difficult to measure. Dental implants are the only form of tooth replacement that protects and preserves natural bone. Because of this, it is difficult to measure the success and/or failure of a dental implant due to bone loss over time in comparison to other tooth replacement options. With other options for tooth replacement, it is clear when a success or failure occurs as patients will be able to tell by the look, feel, and function of the prosthetic. A dental implant simply requires regular dental checkups, cleanings, and x-rays to ensure the health of the implant and the surrounding bone. Success rates of dental implants and long-term follow-up studies are the only source for comparative data in measuring the average lifespan of dental implants.
Dental implants are a worthwhile investment and the closest thing to a naturally functioning tooth. Since dental implants are in high demand and the outcome of this procedure is to last a lifetime, it is essential to understand the average lifespan of dental implants and what affects this. “How long do dental implants last?” is an important question for patients seeking teeth replacement. The goal of this article is to discuss the average lifespan of dental implants and what factors contribute to their success or failure.
3.1 Research Studies and Statistics
The research study conducted by Misch et al is a literature-based article that uses a variety of sources to try and build a broad consensus on the longevity of dental implants. He tries to delve deeper by looking at how long teeth or bridges last over the equal time period which the implants are supposed to be replacing. After examining a wide range of dental prosthetics, he comes to the satisfactory conclusion that implant prosthesis can be an equally reliable alternative to teeth, with a five-year and ten-year tooth-supported product having a 95% and 93% success rate compared to a five-year and ten-year implant-supported prosthesis which has a 94.5% and 90% survival rate. By trying to correlate the lifespan of teeth and implant prosthesis, he argues that the implants are equally effective, prevailing what they are supposed to be replacing. Although the consensus is generally positive, the weakness of his article is that he is trying to build a consensus from a wide range of implant studies, some of which have short-term observations, making it hard to confirm the longevity of the implants.
Although significant advancements have been made within the last few years, almost completely replicating the function of natural teeth, dental implants have a long way to go before they can be considered as successful as teeth. Even though the implant procedure is the act of screwing or cementing titanium into the jaw to act as a tooth root, the implications of this procedure have not been fully understood. There have been two widely published research studies on how long dental implants last, the first by Misch CE, Judy KW, followed by a second conducted by the Dental Implant Clinical Research Group (Dent Implantol Clin Res Group) of the University of Maryland.
3.2 Success Rates of Dental Implants
One of the most important concepts in discussing the success of dental implants is the difference between “osseointegration” and “survival”. Osseointegration is generally defined as the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant while survival refers to the continued presence of the implant in the oral cavity. Some researchers suggest that to classify an implant as successful, it must be functioning for its entire predicted lifespan with a success rate of greater than 75% being deemed acceptable. Other suggestions are that an implant is only successful if there is no pain, mobility, infection, or bone loss. A consensus report from the 7th European Workshop on Periodontology adds that in order to assess the results of oral implant treatment, valid and predictable criteria are required which allow the outcomes of different studies to be compared. Many short-term studies have been undertaken to measure the rate of success of dental implants. These studies generally look over a period of 1 to 3 years and assess the success rates using various criteria. A review of 34 studies on ITI implants published up to 2002 with a minimum 1-year post-loading follow-up by Medeiros found the average implant survival rate after at least 1 to 3 years to be 94.6%. The average success rate using the criteria of no pain, infection, mobility, or radiolucency was 87.3%. Allen and fellow researcher Misiek reviewed 48 separate publications comparing the success rates of various types of modern dental implants. After assessing primarily results concerning the presence of marginal bone, they concluded that the modern root form designs had a mean success rate of 96.3% during the first year and 95.3% for the second year. A similar success rate was found for cylindrical implant designs. These results suggest that especially in recent years, there are getting increasingly higher rates of success with dental implants.
3.3 Long-Term Follow-up Studies
– Long-term follow-up studies Because of the substantial initial investment involved in dental implant therapy, long-term data on implant success is obligatory. The true measure of the effectiveness of any therapy is its ability to stand the test of time. To date, no other form of tooth replacement has withstood the test of time like dental implants. Long-term studies to date have shown that implants have a high rate of long-term clinical success. A long-term clinical success rate of 75-95% was reported for the implants used in the studies. Prosthetic complications were seen to increase over time; however, minor and major complications were easily managed and repairable. 54 To assess the long-term bone loss associated with the implants, a study in Gothenburg, Sweden assessed 13 patients from 3 previous implant clinical trials after an average of 9.3 years following the first implant surgery. Measurements at the 10-year re-evaluation showed a mean change in bone level at 1.2 mm for all operated regions. 55 67 out of 84 existing long-term implant studies published between 1986 and 2002 were assessed by another recent study. Although considerable variation in design and reporting made comparisons difficult, the authors concluded that the long-term implant literature does contain general clinical information on implant success and survival rates.
4. Maintaining and Extending the Lifespan of Dental Implants
Please note that it is beneficial to find a dentist who has a good understanding of implant dentistry. Failure to do so may lead to irreversible damage of the implant.
It is crucial to attend regular dental check-ups and cleaning appointments so that your oral health can be maintained to a high standard. Preventable issues can often be nipped in the bud at early stages. This is crucial in avoiding long-term issues such as peri-implant bone loss – the most common cause of implant failure. At these appointments, it is important to inform the treating dentist of the implants’ presence and the dentist needs to be certain that they are not using metal instruments on the implant as this can cause scratching of the metal surface and in turn lead to bone loss.
At [Dental Clinic], the long term success of dental implants and the oral health of our patients is always at the forefront of our treatment plan. Maintaining the health of the implant and the surrounding tissues in a similar way to maintaining your car is mandatory. If you don’t drive your car, you will allow dirt and grime to accumulate, potentially causing preventable mechanical issues. If you don’t maintain your oral health and dental implants, you may find that preventable issues will occur.
Long term maintenance and care of your dental implants to prevent implant failure are equally, if not more important to the initial stages of treatment. Whether your implant supported crowns, implant supported dentures, or all-on-four’s, all dental implants require a similar level of care.
4.1 Regular Dental Check-ups and Cleanings
Regular check-ups with a dentist are vital for maintaining the health of your teeth and gums, and is especially important with dental implants. At these appointments, the teeth and the implant will be carefully examined to ensure that they are in good health. This involves taking x-rays and checking for any looseness of the implant. The dentist will also assess the health of the surrounding gums and bone to ensure that these are also in good health. Professional and at-home cleaning of the implant is necessary to address and prevent peri-implantitis. This involves cleaning the implant surface with various instruments to remove plaque and tartar. Implants are cleaned similar to natural teeth, but there may be a greater need for interdental brushes or other cleaning devices to maintain optimal oral hygiene. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings, proper oral hygiene, a healthy diet and lifestyle, addressing potential complications before they arise, and periodic evaluation of the implant are all part of the master plan for life-long successful implant therapy.
4.2 Proper Oral Hygiene Routine
Flossing is still an important part of a daily routine as implants are still vulnerable to gum disease. It is important to use a floss that will not damage the implant or the abutment. This floss should be passed through with a gentle back and forth motion. An alternative to standard floss is using interdental brushes or soft picks. These are designed specifically to clean the tight spaces between teeth and implants. Finally, an antimicrobial mouth rinse can be used to reduce bacteria. However, it’s important to avoid rinses with high alcohol content as they can weaken the crown or bridge.
When it comes to maintaining the lifespan of dental implants, the most important measure patients can take is thoroughly cleaning their implants and the surrounding area. This requires the use of a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles and should be carried out at least twice a day. The focus should be on avoiding the build-up of plaque and tartar, so it is vitally important to brush on, around, and below the gum line as well as brushing the tongue. It is recommended to use a low-abrasive fluoride toothpaste as it is less likely to scratch the implant and create areas that could attract and hold bacteria. Special attention should be paid to cleaning around the abutments where particles of food and plaque can gather. Failure to keep the area clean can result in inflammation of the soft tissue and infection. This inflammation can cause a loss of bone support around the implant, which could ultimately lead to implant failure.
4.3 Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive alcohol are good for your general health and could help to extend the lifespan of your dental implants. Excessively hard biting on foods such as boiled sweets and nuts could damage the biting surface of the crowns on your implants or the implant itself, just as they could natural teeth. Try to avoid these foods and if you do eat them, try to keep the contact with your teeth to a minimum. If you play sports that carry a risk of being hit in the face, it is advisable that you wear a protective mouthguard at all times. This is also advisable if you have natural teeth. Any trauma to teeth, whether they are implants or not, can be a threat to the long-term health of the teeth. The damaging effects of smoking on natural teeth and gums are well-documented. Long-term smokers are at a significantly higher risk of losing teeth than non-smokers. There is also an increased risk of dental implant failure in smokers compared to non-smokers. This is possibly due to the effect that smoking has on bone health and healing after surgery. High alcohol intake can be detrimental to oral health and is linked with a higher risk of gum disease. These factors combined mean that those who have a history of heavy smoking and drinking are more likely to experience dental implant failure. By minimizing these risks, it is possible to extend the lifespan of your dental implants.
4.4 Potential Complications and How to Address Them
Potential complications specifically related to dental implants are very few, but can include infection at the implant site, injury or damage to the surrounding area, and poor integration of the implant post. If infection occurs, it’s usually a result of poor oral hygiene and can be easily treated with antibiotics. If infection persists and affects the implant, the implant may need to be removed. A specific potential complication for the upper jaw implants is the proximity to the sinus. The sinus can be perforated during implant placement and cause an infection. If the sinus is perforated, it will need to be surgically repaired and the implant may be removed. Injury to the surrounding area can occur from the implant being improperly placed. If an implant is poorly positioned, it can result in damage to blood vessels, other teeth, or nerve damage. While any of these situations are unfortunate, most can be repaired with a second implant, placed either immediately or after the area has healed. The implant can be removed if it has failed to integrate, and after the area has healed, a new implant can be placed. In general, these potential complications are rare and the majority of implants are successful.
Interested? Come on over and see for yourself!
5 Key Factors to Consider Before Getting Dental Implants in Orange County | Smile Magic Dentistry
References:
Saghiri, Mohammad Ali, et al. Current technology for identifying dental implants: a narrative review.” Bulletin of the National Research Centre 45 (2021): 1-11. springer.com
Battista Menchini-Fabris, Giovanni, et al. “Bone Volume Assessment Around Immediate Dental Implant in the Esthetic Area with Immediate Tooth-Like Single Crown Provisionalization: A Laser and Computed Tomography 1-Year Retrospective Study.” International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants 38.5 (2023). [HTML]
Costa, Raphael Cavalcante, et al. “Efficacy of a novel three‐step decontamination protocol for titanium‐based dental implants: An in vitro and in vivo study.” Clinical Oral Implants Research 35.3 (2024): 268-281. [HTML]
Jiang, Xunyuan, et al. “Design of dental implants at materials level: An overview.” Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 108.8 (2020): 1634-1661. [HTML]
Ong, Adrian, et al. Jaw in a day: immediate dental rehabilitation during fibula reconstruction of the mandible.” Facial Plastic Surgery 37.06 (2021): 722-727. [HTML]
Pan, Qiyuan, et al. “Doping Engineering of Piezo‐Sonocatalytic Nanocoating Confer Dental Implants with Enhanced Antibacterial Performances and Osteogenic Activity.” Advanced Functional Materials (2024): 2313553. [HTML]
Balueva, Alla V., et al. “Chemical reaction and strength of tricalcium phosphate nano-coating application on dental implants by atomistic calculations.” Applied Mathematical Modelling 127 (2024): 640-654. researchgate.net
Milone, Dario, et al. “Quantifying Clinician-Controlled Preload in Dental Implants: Analysis of Manual Tightening Torque and Complication Rates.” Engineering Proceedings 56.1 (2023): 252. mdpi.com
Virto, Leire, et al. “Electrochemical decontamination of titanium dental implants. An in vitro biofilm model study.” Clinical Oral Implants Research 34.5 (2023): 486-497. wiley.com
Hasan, Jafar, et al. Preventing peri-implantitis: the quest for a next generation of titanium dental implants.” ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 8.11 (2022): 4697-4737. [HTML]
