Implants are an investment in the future. No other type of treatment has proved to be as long-lasting as implants – provided that they are inserted by an experienced implantologist or oral surgeon and the basic requirements (sufficient bone material and formation, healthy oral flora) are in place. As long as these prerequisites take hold, the implant will last for more than 20 years in over 90 percent of all cases.
As a patient, you can certainly make an impact on the lifespan of your implants. Focussing on oral hygiene at home helps to keep your teeth free from inflammation and to avoid peri-implantitis. For this purpose, dental floss and interdental brushes should be used frequently. Doing without excessive consumption of alcohol and nicotine make a tangible difference as well. Professional dental cleaning (PZR) conducted two to four times per year at your dentist’s office is even more effective. Diseases such as diabetes or rheumatism can also bring about negative affects on the lifespan of the implants. A sufficient amount of available bone substance is also important; in many cases, the existing bone material is not sufficient, forcing the dentist to make up for this lack prior to the actual procedure. In situations like these, biological bone augmentation represents a reasonable alternative by means of which the durability of your implant can be prolonged significantly.