How Long do Full Mouth Dental Implants Last
Dental Implants are made of incredibly durable and secure materials. They are anchored into the jaw of the patient and can typically only be removed after placement in a dentists office. Because of the cutting edge materials used, dental implants can last the patient’s entire life, so long as they are cared for properly. If you are missing teeth and considering full mouth dental implants, you should learn about the dental implant process.
The Dental Implant process
In order to get full mouth dental implants, you will need to consult with a dentist and a dental care team. First they will need to assess the health of your gums and jaw. The implant will require an anchor, which is often made of titanium. The sturdy metal anchor will be inserted into the jaw, through the gumline. Patients with insufficient bone density or a severe history of gum infections may need additional time to account for these factors. After some initial healing time, your body will actually accept the implant as part of the jaw. This process of growth is known as osseointegration. Once the osseointegration is complete, the anchor is secure and ready to support the implant. Before the Implant is attached, a small piece call an abutment is affixed to the anchor. The abutment secures the implant to the anchor, but it also allows the Dentist to remove the implant crown, without having to damage the supporting anchor structure in the jaw.
The Implant crown is the complete tooth replacement. It may be a single tooth, or multiple in the form of a row–like dentures. Implant supported dentures can be used to replace entire rows of teeth, like a full mouth dental implant. This limits the amount of time that a patient needs to spend recovering from implant anchors. A whole row of teeth can be securely affixed using 4 titanium anchors.
What are Dental Implants made of?
Dental Implants are made of various materials. Some of the most durable ones are made of Zirconia. Zirconia is a composite of zirconium dioxide, a ceramic material which has immense strength when created with appropriate thickness for dental implants. Zirconia crowns are biocompatible, so they do not interact with your bodies biochemistry in any negative way. Implants can be layered with porcelain as well, which creates immaculate tooth like aesthetics with greater durability than original teeth.
When should you consult a Dentist?
If you are living without missing teeth, you should discuss replacement options with your dentist. Missing teeth have a correlation with low self esteem, poor diet, and can lead to more missing teeth. You should also discuss replacement options when having teeth extracted, so the process can begin immediately. Dentists will be able to take comprehensive imaging early on in order to predict solutions that will benefit you for the length of your implant. With proper hygiene and care, secure and stable implants can last 10-20 years, they may even last the patient’s entire life.