Do Mini Dental Implants Last Forever?

Do Mini Dental Implants Last Forever?

During the last few decades, dental implants have been taking the dental industry by storm, providing a highly advanced, secure, durable and permanent way to replace teeth that have fallen out or been extracted. In addition to conventional dental implants, patients can also choose a smaller version. Known as mini dental implants, they offer all of the same benefits as their full-size sibling but vary slightly in design as well as size. This makes them ideal for smaller teeth or for people who have insufficient healthy jawbone to support traditional dental implants.

However, since they do require a reasonable financial investment, many patients are worried about how long mini dental implants will last and how soon they may need to pay out for further treatment.

So, do mini dental implants last forever?

How long do mini dental implants last?

The term ‘mini’ could imply that mini dental implants don’t last as long as regular ones. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. In fact, there is no set lifespan for implants at all. Exactly how long any dental implants will last will depend on several factors, but primarily, how well you care for them.

Many people mistakenly believe that because dental implants are essentially false teeth, they don’t require any special care. After all, porcelain crowns can’t develop decay or become infected. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Dental implants can fail for a number of different reasons, including:

Smoking. Smoking reduces blood circulation, which is an essential part of the healing process following a dental implant procedure. Smoking after getting implants could prevent the bone from healing around them properly and securing them in place.

Gum disease. Smoking makes you more likely to experience gum disease. It also makes it likely that your gum disease is more severe and harder to treat. Gum disease occurs when plaque bacteria are able to build up on the teeth and gums, causing irritation, redness, swelling and bleeding. As gum disease progresses, it can cause gum recession, bone deterioration and tooth loss – or in this case – implant failure.

Dental implants and aging

As we get older, certain things about our bodies begin to change. One condition which can develop is known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes the bones to weaken, and as they become more fragile, they are also more prone to breaking. In most cases, having osteoporosis shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the benefits of mini dental implants. However, if you have very severe osteoporosis, your jawbone may not have enough density to support the implant posts needed to form the basis of the structure. If you have concerns about osteoporosis and its impact on dental implants, it’s always best to consult with your dentist.

What can I do to make my mini dental implants last for as long as possible?

Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to maximize the longevity of your mini dental implants.

• Continue to brush your teeth properly every single day, as this will remove plaque that could cause gum disease to develop.
• Don’t forget to floss. This will remove plaque that develops between the teeth that could turn into stubborn tartar (which can only be removed during a professional dental clean).
• Don’t smoke – as we now know, it massively increases your risk of gum disease, as well as being bad for your general health.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools. Although the material used in dental implants is very strong, there are times where an implant could crack if placed under extreme pressure.
• Visit your dentist regularly. They can keep an eye on your implants and spot any problems that may be developing early on, while they can still be treated fairly easily.

For more information and advice about mini dental implants, visit Delaware Smile Center at our office in Delaware, Ohio or call us at 740-417-9565 to schedule an appointment.