How much a tooth implant usually serves and how soon it may need to be replaced

Next you will find out:

• How much a tooth implant usually serves and whether it really can stand safely until the end of life, as is sometimes said in the advertisements of dental clinics;
• What is the difference between the guaranteed service life of dental implants, declared by the manufacturer, and the guarantee for implants given by the clinic?
• What is the average real life of dental implants in different price categories;
• How to know that it is time to change the implant, and what factors may contribute to the occurrence of problems;
• And do dentures installed on implants serve as long, and why do they sometimes have to be changed a couple of years after installation?
• As well as a few simple practical tips that will extend the life of dental implants ...

Dental implantation is a rather expensive procedure, and therefore the patients' desire to receive a lifetime or at least a multi-year warranty on the installed implants is fully justified.At the same time, advertising slogans of many dental clinics, it would seem, paint quite bright prospects and do not give reason to worry: “the life of our implants is 30 years”, “our dental implants will serve you until the end of life!” And others in the same spirit.

But can implantologists really guarantee such a long service life of dental implants, and could it not be that the installed expensive structure will have to be changed after a couple of years?

In order to better understand how much a tooth implant actually serves, let's first see what the guarantee for dental implants given by the clinics differs from the service life set by the manufacturer. And then we will also talk about whether it is realistic to achieve life-long results from the use of artificial teeth.

 

What makes the implant warranty different from their service life?

So, there are two important concepts that are closely related to the service life of dental implants:

1. Product warranty (service life), which is established by the implant manufacturer;
2. As well as the warranty period for the work performed on the treatment established by the clinic.

 

Warranty and durability from the manufacturer

Many companies, especially the most serious ones that have been on the market for more than a decade, offer a lifetime warranty on the dental implants being manufactured. These include mainly manufacturers of expensive premium products: Nobel, Alpha BIO, AstraTech, XIVE Friadent, Straumann and some others.

Firms that produce less branded products (of the average price segment) give a guarantee for their products in 20-25 years. Actually, this is the guaranteed service life of dental implants of the middle price category, however, provided that they are installed and then operated, as they say, in compliance with all rules and regulations.

On a note:

Teeth on implants can be compared with an expensive car. For example, you can drive more than 500 thousand kilometers in the German Mercedes. But provided that the owner will carry out regular maintenance of the car, change the oil, candles and other parts. The same with new teeth - in theory, implants will last for several decades. But in practice, much depends on how professionally the doctor has worked, and also how the patient himself will exploit new teeth. An important role is played by daily care, regular removal of dental deposits (yes, plaque accumulates on artificial teeth),as well as undergoing preventive examinations at the dentist.

Under all conditions, even implants of the middle price category can reliably hold in the jaw and regularly serve much longer than the declared 25 years, and it is possible that they never need to be changed.

 

Dental clinic implant warranty

The second type of guarantee is provided directly by the dental clinic (or even by a doctor, if it works individually). And usually the duration of such a guarantee is only 1-2 years. Generally speaking, the legislation of the Russian Federation does not regulate the terms of warranty obligations for dental services, therefore each clinic establishes them independently.

There is quite a reasonable question: why do manufacturers give almost an eternal guarantee for implants, and doctors - no more than a couple of years?

Well, this is explained quite simply: the doctor (or clinic) can give a guarantee only for the work done. In practice, it is during the first 1-2 years that the risk is relatively high. implant rejection for reasons beyond the control of the patient, namely the fault of the implantologist.

But if the implant has to be removed and changed after 3-5-10 years, then the problem usually lies in the lack of proper care for artificial teeth or deterioration of the patient’s general health. It is quite obvious that the doctor’s fault is absent here, and consequently, there is no reason for him to extend the guarantee for such a long period of time. That is, to guarantee the eternal service of implants to a person who does not brush his teeth or nibbles nuts every day - more expensive.

In general, it can be said that when it comes to the implantation guarantee, the patient of the dental clinic is not always in an advantageous position. According to statistics, most of the problems with implants are still the fault of the doctor - due to inexperience, inattention, with an incorrectly chosen construction or an incorrectly performed surgical operation to install the implant. However, in practice it is not always possible to prove that the cause of the problems lies precisely in the error of the specialist and that during the warranty period he is obliged (and this should be spelled out in the contract) to replace the implant.

As a result, many patients faced with complications after implantationlooking for support from specialists of other clinics. For example, the implant became painful, moving, or completely dropped out of the bone - clinics often do not regard such situations as warranty cases, blaming the patient. However, some doctors honestly admit their mistakes and successfully eliminate them - changing an unattached implant or offering the patient a different kind of prosthetics without re-paying the treatment.

Feedback:

“Installed a German expensive implant on the six. The operation went well, almost without discomfort. She immediately asked how long she served and how long this dental implant lasts. The doctor said that the age of 15-20 will surely stand. But in fact it turned out to be completely different ... After a month, there was severe pain, swelling and redness. I came to the clinic, they said that it was a long time! They say that the rejection has begun and the reason for not establishing, most likely, is improper hygiene. The implant was removed and refused outright to refuse to re-do anything. Then she turned to another clinic - they said that the reason was that the implant was too long and stood crooked. Here you have expensive implants, and the hands of a doctor are not growing from there! .. ”

Irina, Moscow

So the service life of even the most expensive dental implants in problem situations can be calculated in just a few months. Moreover, numerous reviews on the Internet suggest that such cases are not such a rarity. And the patient, unfortunately, has to undergo re-treatment in a different clinic and re-spend a lot of money.

Here are some practical tips to help reduce the risk of a clinic waiver:

• choose a clinic that has been on the market for a long time, values ​​its “name” and tries to preserve a positive reputation;
• in dentistry, everything should be provided for implantation: diagnostic equipment, the presence of surgeon-implantologists, as well as orthopedic surgeons, who will be able to manufacture prostheses with fastening on implants;
• choose an experienced doctor who has performed more than one successful implant installation operation;
• study the reviews not only and not so much about the clinic as about the doctor - both on the Internet and in the book of complaints and suggestions (you can check its availability with the administrator of the clinic);
• visit a few free consultations - compare the opinions of specialists regarding your situation;
• strictly observe all prescriptions of the doctor and do not skip routine inspections;
• Do not pursue cheapness - implantation, by definition, cannot be too cheap, and expensive implants constitute a significant part of the price.

Speaking about the service life of implants, it is worth recalling that the titanium "screw" screwed into the jaw bone is only part of the whole structure, which also includes the abutment and the prosthesis itself (for example, a crown). What is what - clearly shown in the photo below:

So, it is useful to keep in mind that the service life of prostheses can be many times less than the service life of the titanium implants themselves. We'll talk more about this later.

 

So how much does a tooth implant actually serve?

In our country, dental implants appeared no more than 20 years ago, and the stage of active development is even less. Therefore, a rare dentist can boast at least 10 years of experience in the installation of dental implants. So, it is quite problematic to find out exactly how much implants have to be changed in case of successful engraftment and normal operation. Such statistics are simply not collected yet.

However, overseas implantation has a longer history. For example, in European countries, the first operations began to be carried out back in the 60s of the last century, which makes it possible to trace the statistics over a sufficiently long period of time.

It is interesting!

According to foreign practice, the highest service life is observed in premium segment implants - Astra Tech, Nobel, Straumann, XIVE, Ankylos, Bicon. On average, they have been holding for at least 20 years without any problems. For about 10–15 years, middle-class implants have been used - for example, such brands as Implantium, BioHorizons, MIS.

But this is only averaged statistics. As inexpensive implants can last until the end of life, and the most advanced systems can become a problem within a couple of years after installation (or even earlier). Each case is individual, and the real “shelf life” of implants depends both on the patient’s state of health and his responsible attitude to new teeth, and on the professionalism of the implantologist who performed the prosthetics.

Above, it was primarily about dental implants of the classical type. The lifespan of today's popular basal implants (that is, those installed not in the loose surface part of the bone, but in its more dense basal layers) is generally comparable with the classical ones.Today, those models of basal implants that were installed through a lateral incision in the gum have practically become a thing of the past - they were often rejected within 2-3 years without sustaining the load from the prosthesis (for example, see the photo below).

And although in Russia, basal implantation began to be practiced not so long ago, today there is every reason to believe that, provided that the oral cavity is sufficiently hygienic, modern designs can last a person for decades.

Even implants installed in a weakened bone, for example, with periodontitis or periodontal disease, can safely serve for many years (with daily thorough oral hygiene and, possibly, annual drug therapy).

As for the service life of the so-called mini-implants, then, according to the manufacturers, it is similar to the service life of classic implants and is on average 20-25 years old. However, to trace this in practice is not yet possible, since mini-implants are installed no more than 10 years. And the reviews about them vary: some experts believe that this is a great (and inexpensive) opportunity to fix inconvenient dentures, although some doctors do not recognize these systems.

On a note

Mini-implants are not placed in the bone, but in the periosteum (the tissue between the bone and the gumline), because of which the bone tissue, not receiving sufficient chewing load, atrophies and sags. As a result, you have to constantly adjust the prosthesis. And the position of mini-implants from excessive load sometimes changes, which can lead to their mobility, rejection and the need to remove even a couple of years after installation.

 

How to know that it's time to change the implant

To understand that it is time to change the implant of a tooth, only a doctor can determine. It is only important to regularly visit your attending dentist (1-2 times a year) to assess the course of engraftment of the implant and inspect the condition of the tissues around it.

Generally speaking, the need to change implants usually occurs only when there are any serious problems and their corresponding symptoms. Moreover, such problems can arise both a year after installation of the product, and 10, 20 and even 30 years of its active operation.

If you do not feel any pain or discomfort or other problems associated with the previously installed implant, then you do not need to change it.

Here are the typical reasons for replacing implants, which are most often encountered in practice:

• jaw or tooth injury in which the implant mobility appeared.The design can also be pushed deeper into the jaw bone, or, conversely, unscrew;
• periimplantitis (inflammation of the tissues around the implant): usually accompanied by redness of the gums, soreness under pressure, pus can be released and an unpleasant smell from the implant can appear;
• implant rejection - occurs as a consequence of periimplantitis. A characteristic sign of the problem is also the mobility of the implant.

Thus, with the appearance of mobility (even insignificant, which sometimes can only be assessed by a doctor with the help of special devices), the appearance of edema and tissue redness, pain in the area of ​​the installed dental implants - it is likely that the life of the structure is coming to an end.

How much longer will it last and how long should a movable tooth implant be removed? If the doctor says that it is time to change the implant (and this is usually the case with the detection of mobility), then it should be done as soon as possible. Otherwise, tissue inflammation can lead to serious complications, even those that may threaten the patient’s life.

As a result, surgery is performed to remove the movable structure: the prosthesis is removed,the gum is cut and the implant is removed from the jaw. As a rule, then, after about 1-2 months, re-implantation is possible. In some cases (depending on the reason for removing the implant), the patient may be offered a different method of prosthetics.

On a note

It should be borne in mind that in the case of prosthetics on implants, problems can arise not only with a “titanium screw” implanted in the jaw, but also with the outer part of the structure - the prosthesis itself, whose durability is often lower than that of a metal implant. About how many such dentures on implants change, we will talk further on ...

 

Will the prosthesis last as long as the implant?

So, a metal implant, implanted in the jaw bone, may eventually become mobile (rejected) due to inflammation of the tissues around it. Now let's see how things are going with the use of the outer part of the structure - with the prosthesis, and how soon it may need to be replaced.

First of all, you need to keep in mind that the life of the prosthesis on implants largely depends on the material from which the crowns are made.Prostheses made of metal lined with plastic (metal-plastic crowns) are considered to be the most short-lived - plastic is relatively poorly attached to the base and often cracks and splits off under load.

In addition, plastic is a porous material, and absorbs food coloring, as well as the smallest leftover food; as a result, the color of the crown changes, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The service life of such prostheses made of metal - no more than 2-3 years.

Crowns made of metal ceramics are much stronger and more durable. They average serve about 10-12 years. Among the main problems of these prostheses are chipped ceramic enamel and the formation of cracks on the outer coating (however, in order for such defects to form, the load must be very significant, much greater than in the case of metal-plastic crowns).

In addition, both in the case of metal-plastic and metal-ceramic prostheses, patients often have allergic reactions to the metal (usually for inexpensive alloys, so the problem can be partially solved by choosing precious metals, although this is a very expensive option).

Prostheses made of zirconium dioxide are considered the most perfect and durable - this is a very strong, aesthetic and non-allergenic material. In this case, the service life is quite simple: how many years titanium implants stand, almost as many zirconia prostheses will stay there (the service life claimed to be at least 15 years).

On a note

If any prosthesis breaks down, it is not necessary to remove the implant. The crowns are removed (in some cases, together with the abutment, especially if it is not a template, but an individual one), then the impressions are taken anew and a new prosthesis is created.

 

What ultimately determines the service life of a tooth implant

In view of the foregoing, the following summary can be made: a modern dental implant in many cases can reliably last until the end of life, and at least not less than the service life claimed by the manufacturer. However, whether everything will turn out well depends on a number of conditions, the key of which are:

• the professionalism of the implantologist and the correct installation of the implant;
• the professionalism of the orthopedic surgeon who takes part in the manufacture of the prosthesis (the correct load on the implants from the side of the prosthesis, its exact fit to the gums and implants is very important);
• high quality of the implant (today, by the way, there are Chinese dental implants, the quality of which is not always predictable);
• adequate oral hygiene and care for prostheses on implants from the patient;
• general health of the patient.

Implantologists note that many patients, after the implants are fully engrafted and permanent dentures are installed, unfortunately, forget about hygiene and regular preventive examinations, believing that artificial teeth, unlike natural teeth, are not attacked by bacteria - they are artificial, and therefore "Inedible" for bacteria.

Yes, caries are not formed on metal, plastic and ceramic crowns, but undesirable dental deposits may well form. In addition, artificial teeth are surrounded by living tissues, inflammation and damage to which, including due to non-removable dental deposits in time, can lead to a reduction in the life of the implant and the need to remove it with the crown.

So, as you can see, how long the implants of the teeth will stand in depends on the patient himself.

On a note:

Implantation is a rather expensive procedure, and not every patient can afford to update the installed implants every 5 years. Therefore, money in this situation is a good motivator for respecting your teeth. For example, many patients after implantation generally quit smoking, because this habit is generally increasing the risk of implant rejection.

 

Useful tips on how to extend the life of dental implants

So, the implants are installed. We will assume that all contraindications to treatment were excluded, and artificial teeth found their place in the jaw as if they were relatives. Then it is only the patient himself.

Here are some useful tips, adhering to which, you can significantly increase the chances that a tooth implant will have a maximum service life - until the end of a person's life or at least 10-20 years:

• regular enhanced oral hygiene. In the morning and in the evening - brushing and paste, it is also desirable to use irrigators or special interdental (interdental) brushes-brushes. After eating - the removal of food residue, and usually do not recommend the use of dental floss, as it can cause damage to the mucous membrane and prosthesis.Better use irrigator. Special attention - to the gums, it is impossible to prevent their inflammation;
• Refusal to smoke - it adversely affects the state of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which, in turn, is fraught with the risk of disruption of metabolic processes in the tissues around the implant and its rejection;
• Limiting the load on the implant and prosthesis (do not chew nuts, do not open the bottle with your teeth);
• 1-2 times a year, it is necessary to remove dental deposits - plaque and stones, since they can provoke inflammation of the gums;
• Needless to say that the face and jaw must be protected in every possible way from injury;
• At least once a year - preventive examinations at the dentist to assess the condition of the dental system. Such examinations sometimes allow to identify an emerging problem in time and not to bring it to the extreme.

If you have personal experience with prosthetics on implants, be sure to leave your review at the bottom of this page, telling you if everything is great in this regard, or if you have any problems.

 

An interesting video about removable and fixed prostheses and what is better - implantation or crowns?

 

Why the dental clinic does not have to guarantee the results of dental implants