The durability of dental implants

The durability of dental implants

The durability of a dental implant, or how long an inserted dental implant can be maintained, depends strongly on the condition of the surrounding bone. Shortly after the operation, i.e. during the healing period, the dental implant should grow together with the jawbone. The more pronounced this adhesion is, the smaller the gap between the implant surface and the bone will be.

If the gap is too large, bacteria living in the oral cavity can migrate more easily into the area around the metal pin, multiply there and cause plaque deposits. The connection between the dental implant and the jawbone can usually only be attacked and destroyed by the harmful influences of the bacteria metabolism. In addition, it must be remembered that the bone around a dental implant is more heavily loaded by the chewing process than the bone around an endogenous tooth.

This fact is due to the fact that a normal tooth root does not sit rigidly in the jaw, but is suspended by elastic fibers and can therefore adapt better to the pressure applied. This has the disadvantage that the jawbone and also the jaw joint is more strained. In terms of the durability of a dental implant, however, the additional load offers a decisive advantage.

The increased chewing load reduces the risk of implant loss, because experience has shown that the mechanical load leads to increased mineralization of the surrounding jawbone. In the initial period after the insertion of the dental implant, the patient should pay particular attention to careful oral and dental hygiene, as this minimizes the risk of inflammation in the area of the dental prosthesis, which in turn increases the durability of the dental implant. According to international studies, the success rate of a dental implantation is approximately 85-90%, but can be further increased by preventing infection and inflammation outbreaks. A patient who strictly follows the instructions of the treating dentist regarding oral hygiene and regularly participates in infection prophylaxis will keep his dental implant with almost 100% certainty for at least 10 years.