Dental implants are becoming an increasingly popular option to replace missing teeth. These permanent replacements look and feel very much like your natural teeth. But how long do they last? If you have your natural teeth replaced with dental implants, can the implants be expected to last a good number of years, or will they eventually have to be replaced?
Expected Lifespan of Dental Implants
Though dental implants have not been in widespread use long enough to provide extremely long-term results, it is highly likely that implants will last as long as twenty to twenty-five years or even longer. As a general rule, implants in the front part of the mouth will last longer than implants that support molars, simply because the front teeth experience less stress and wear and tear than the back teeth. For your individual case, an implant dentist can give you a good idea of whether implants will work well for you and how long they are likely to last.
Factors That Reduce the Longevity of Implants
At one time, implants suffered most often from rejection problems from the patient. This occurred most frequently when bone grafts were necessary to provide a better foundation for the implants. As implant dentistry becomes more sophisticated, however, these problems have diminished. Other factors that can affect the lifespan of your implants include:
- Existing health conditions
- Overall dental hygiene
- Care of implants and prosthetics
- Health conditions that develop after implants are placed
Some health conditions that compromise the immune system can increase the possibility that there will be problems with dental implants. Improper or neglected care will also result in problems in the long run.
Overall, proper care of the mouth, teeth and gums as well as regular visits to your dentist will help ensure that your implants will last twenty-five years or longer. To find out more about dental implants in the Fort Worth area, please contact a Fort Worth cosmetic dentist.
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Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugar-free candies and treats, then, should be easier on the teeth, helping reduce decay and other problems. However, recent studies indicate that sugar-free offerings may be just as damaging to the teeth, if not even more so.
Causes of Decay
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria on the teeth feed on substances such as sugar or other food particles. The acidic by products of this process erode the enamel and other portions of the hard tissues of the teeth, creating cavities. The process also causes the build up of plaque and tartar, which can contribute to gum disease and gingivitis.
How Sugar-Free Foods Contribute to Tooth Decay
Although sugar-free foods do not supply sugar for bacteria to feed on, they often contain higher levels of acid than their traditional, full sugar counterparts. This higher level of acid can erode the enamel, leading to increased sensitivity. Acid also removes vital minerals from the enamel. Under normal conditions, saliva helps replace these minerals, but higher levels of acid tilt the balance the other way. With weaker enamel, teeth are more vulnerable to other causes of decay, and may even eventually have to be covered with crowns or veneers due to enamel loss.
Your dentist can help you determine if you or your children are consuming too many sugar-free treats. At your next visit to the dental office, be sure to ask about the possibility that sugar-free foods are eroding your natural tooth enamel.
For answers to additional questions about tooth decay, gum disease, and the effects of sugar-free foods, please contact a dentist in Fort Worth to make an appointment.
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Dental veneers can make a huge difference in your smile, correcting a variety of cosmetic dentistry problems from slight misalignments to serious discoloration. They are long-lasting and durable, as well, especially if they are cared for properly.
After you have had porcelain veneers placed on your teeth, you should continue to brush and floss regularly, just as you did before. In addition, there are steps you can take to ensure your veneers are well cared for and that they will remain attractive for a long time.
Keep the gum line clean. Porcelain veneers cover the visible surface of the teeth, ending just behind the gum line. This area of the veneer is particularly vulnerable to decay, because plaque can easily build up at the edge of the veneer behind the gum. It is particularly important, then to brush and floss thoroughly and follow any special instructions your dentist might provide regarding care.
Keep the edges of the veneers clean. The porcelain of the veneers themselves is highly stain resistant. However, the bonding agent that attaches the veneers to the teeth can pick up stains much more easily. Keeping the veneers’ edges clean and reducing exposure to staining agents can keep your veneers looking good longer.
Prevent unnecessary stress to your veneers. Biting hard substances can damage the edges of the veneers. If you grind your teeth, this can also damage your veneers and reduce their overall lifespan.
Some substances used in routine dental cleanings can damage veneers. Before you have your teeth cleaned at a dentist’s office, be sure to tell the hygienist that you have veneers. By using different cleaning materials and different tools, the hygienist can ensure that the cleaning will not cause pitting or other damage to the surfaces of your veneers.
If you want to find out more about dental veneers and how they can improve your smile, please contact a cosmetic dentist who specializes in veneers in the Fort Worth area.
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Dental implants are becoming an increasingly popular option to replace missing teeth. These permanent replacements look and feel very much like your natural teeth. But how long do they last? If you have your natural teeth replaced with dental implants, can the implants be expected to last a good number of years, or will they eventually have to be replaced?