What is a dental implant and how long does it last?
- Rich Sprague
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 11
If you are missing one or more teeth, a dental implant may be the best solution for your restoration.
There are five important reasons why dental implants offer a long-term, lifetime solution, and could be your best option when you consider the alternatives:
1 Osseointegration.
Osseointegration (a fancy word for how a titanium implant post surgically fuses with the jawbone) creates a strong, permanent bond for the implant to function like a normal tooth would.
2 Bone preservation.
When teeth are missing, there is the potential for bone loss. Implants actually stimulate the jawbone which helps one to retain their natural facial structure and, at the same time, can help prevent other dental issues down the line.
3 Stability and comfort.
Anyone who has had dentures knows they can slip and become uncomfortable. Fixed dental implants offer stability, which helps one regain a natural function in chewing, speaking and smiling.
4 Lifetime durability.
By maintaining good oral hygiene and with regular dental checkups every 6 months, the value of dental implants are unmatched by dentures or bridges which frequently need to be replaced.
5 Cost-Effectiveness.
Irrespective of the higher initial cost, considering the potential for replacement and/or repairs of other removable appliances, as well as dental visit costs, make dental implants a wise investment in the long run.
Other than the major benefits of dental implants as outlined above, what are some of the other reasons you should consider an implant over such devices like dentures or false teeth?
1 Preservation of adjacent teeth.
Some bridges, for example, require the grinding of adjacent teeth which is not required with dental implants.
2 Improved oral health.
Implants are maintained with the same sort of hygiene as your natural teeth, thus patients who take care of their teeth and mouth have better oral hygiene over the long haul.
3 Implants provide a better quality of life.
Think back to how you felt with a full set or normal teeth. You could eat anything you chose, you spoke clearly, and you had a confident smile.
What are dental implants?
There are three elements which make up a dental implant:
The Titanium implant post, which is fused to your jawbone. Lifespan expectancy is 25 years or more.
The abutment. This is a connector piece which attaches the crown to the Titanium post, or root. It typically lasts 15-20 years.
A crown … this is the visible device which becomes your new tooth. We make crowns the same way for those who simply need a cap for a tooth which needs repair. We make crowns in our own tab, most often the same day. Crowns will last 10-15 years with proper care and maintenance.
There are several types of dental implants. The most common is a standard Titanium implant (also called endosteal) which has a nearly 100% success rate and can last 25 years or more.
An implant can be …
A single tooth implant. Multiple implants with two Titanium posts. Full mouth implants (called All-on-X) where an upper or lower rack is replaced using 4 or 6 Titanium posts.
What is the process for a dental implant?
There are several steps involved and it takes time from start to finish. Rome wasn't built in a day. You can see the process and a video here.
The damaged tooth/teeth are removed.
Depending on how bad the jawbone is damaged, we may need to provide bone grafting so the implant post is supported.
(Note, we can provide a device for one to use to allow chewing while awaiting for the mouth to be ready for the next step of the process.)
The implant is placed.
We need to allow time for the tissue surrounding the implant to adequately heal.
The abutment is attached to the implant.
The replacement tooth, or fixture, is installed.
Key things to keep in mind when considering a dental implant:
Maintain good oral hygiene just like you would/should with natural teeth. Brush, floss, rinse … have a routine check up every six months.
One must generally be healthy, and any pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune conditions must be controlled. Smoking or vaping must be ceased,.
Avoid hard foods or acidic beverages.
Manage stress and, if one grinds teeth, use a nightguard.
For contact sports, make sure to have an adequate protective mouthpiece.
I’m interested in exploring a dental implant restoration. What do I do next?
At the Carson and Acasio Dental Group (Carson & Acasio Dentistry in Oxnard and Spanish Hills Dentistry in Camarillo), dentists Dr. Derek Carson and Dr. Mike Acasio are accomplished implant surgeons who have been providing simple or complicated mouth restorations for several decades.
We encourage you to call and schedule a no-cost consultation where we can evaluate your goals, needs and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Our practice in Oxnard is Carson & Acasio Dentistry (805) 987-1711. In Camarillo, we do business as Spanish Hills Dentistry (805) 983-0717.
Your mouth will thank you.
RICH SPRAGUE
Rich is our Marketing Services Manager. He’s responsible for our business rebrand, including the design of our new logo, the production of our marketing materials, and the development of our new website. He is extremely passionate towards the complete marketing and sales process. In addition to his Master’s Degree in Web Design & New Media, he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and has been writing articles since high school. Rich's email is rich@richsprague.com.