Dental implants may not be permanent, but they can last for several decades when properly maintained. Their longevity depends on some factors, such as oral health, dental hygiene practices, lifestyle habits, and diet. If you are thinking about getting dental implants, you must know what you must do to preserve your implants and the factors that can cause them to fail. A dentist in Powell, TN, can explain these things to you during your initial consultation and determine if you are a good candidate for implants. 

How Long Do Dental Implants Usually Last?

Good oral hygiene habits such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits help ensure dental implants last a long time. But keep in mind that the implant and the dental crown are different. The implant refers to the titanium post surgically inserted into your jaw, offering support to the abutment or dental crown. When the post is properly taken care of, it can stay intact for life. But you may need to replace the crown after a decade or two of normal use. Daily stressors like clenching and chewing, along with the impacts of the kinds of foods and drinks you consume, your crown can wear down and require a replacement. 

Reasons Your Implant Can Fail

While rare, dental implants can fail. Here are factors that can cause contribute to the failure:

• Osseointegration failure. When the titanium post fails to fuse with your jawbone, the integrity of the implant is affected. This can happen if your jaw does not have sufficient bone density and quality. 
• Lifestyle habits. Some lifestyle habits, such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, and misusing the implant can lead to premature implant failure or rejection. 
• Peri-implantatitis. This can happen when the bone and gum tissue surrounding the dental implant becomes inflamed because of a bacterial infection or excessive biting forces. When not treated promptly, this can lead to implant failure. 

Some factors impact an implant’s longevity. For example, if you have a medical condition like cancer or diabetes and you get a dental implant, there is a high risk of this implant failing. Dental implants at the back of your mouth are more likely to fail than front implants due to the stress they are subjected to. Lastly, implants that do not offer sufficient support may also fail quickly. 

To prevent implant failure, you must stick to a good oral hygiene routine and see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. If you don’t have sufficient bone support, you can have a bone graft before the implant procedure.