Why Do Dental Implants Last So Long?

Dental implants are one of the most preferred forms of teeth replacement out there, and for good reason. Dental implants can last a long time - much longer than bridges or dentures, for example. Many suggest that implants can easily last for 25 years or more when well taken care of. But what exactly makes it so that a dental implant lasts so long when other teeth replacement methods don't?

Titanium

One of the biggest reasons why dental implants hold up over the years is because they're made out of titanium. Titanium is one of the hardest materials on the planet, and is known for its extreme durability and versatility. But creating the implant - the part that actually goes into the gums and supports the crown - out of titanium, this automatically extends the life of the implant and makes it survive random accidents and incidents like a blow to the face during a car accident that a bridge or set of dentures might not survive.

Supported

Dental bridges and dentures both sit on top of the gums and are supported by neighboring teeth or adhesive. This means that they're less reliable because they don't have much of a support structure. Since the implant is mostly hidden under your gums, though, it can rely on them to help provide support, increasing their survivability further.

Replaceable Crown

Another thing about dental implants is that the crown mounted on top can be replaced at any time. This is the part of the implant that goes through the most wear and tear, and as a result, it's the most likely to be damaged in day-to-day use. However, fixing it is as simple as ordering a new crown, having the old one removed, and a new one mounted. In comparison, bridges and dentures tend to endure wear and tear across the entire tooth replacement, so the entire replacement has to be swapped out if it's damaged badly.

Promotes Health

In the same way that the implant relies on the gums to help keep it in place and strong, it also returns the favor. Once the implant is healed and in place, it strengthens the gums and jaw bone, which help to support the implant. Rather than regular chewing on the tooth replacement working towards wearing it down or damaging it, it instead promotes more bone growth and gum stimulation, which in turn support the implant further.