Dental implants are one of the costlier options for teeth replacement, so it’s natural to wonder how long this investment will last. Ideally, the answer is forever! You care for your dental implants just like you do regular teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants actually “implant” a post into your jaw which fuses naturally to the jawbone. Next, an artificial tooth is placed on the post. The material can be made from a variety of items, and will depend on a number of factors including preferences, placement, and perhaps your budget. However, common materials for teeth that are visible when you smile include porcelain and ceramic.
Artificial teeth have very different hardness levels and makeup than your natural teeth. If you grind your teeth, eventually your artificial teeth may wear away at your natural teeth (they’ll always win this battle!). As you can see, artificial teeth have what it takes for the long haul, but they’re not indestructible.
Should your artificial tooth chip or break, it’s much easier and cost effective to simply replace the artificial tooth. You don’t need to “re-do” the implant. The metal post will never “fall out,” and that’s the invasive part of the process. Dental implants take place in two phases. During your first visit, any existing damaged tooth will be removed and the post will be implanted. It can take up to twelve weeks to heal, during which time you’ll have a temporary tooth on the post. Everyone heals differently, and how well you care for the implant during this process plays a big role.
During your second appointment, the artificial tooth will have arrived from the lab where it was custom crafted just for you. It’s relatively fast and easy to attach the tooth to the post. Voila! You have a brand new tooth via dental implant that looks, acts and feels just like the real deal. Plus, it just might last longer than your natural teeth!