Dental implants are artificial titanium roots placed into the jawbone to support a prosthetic tooth or teeth. They are a common solution for patients with gaps in their smiles due to injury, disease, or decay.
Dental implants are anchored directly into the jawbone, unlike bridges or dentures, which sit on top of the gums. This creates a stable foundation for the artificial tooth and a more reliable and sturdy chewing surface.
Dental implants also help preserve your face’s natural shape and prevent bone loss in the jaw, making them the preferred long-term solution for people who have lost natural teeth.
What is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?
Since dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone, the implant’s success relies on the process of osseointegration. The metal implant forms a strong, permanent bond with the bone in this process. If osseointegration occurs correctly, the dental implant is likely to be successful.
While various factors can affect the likelihood of the osseointegration process, studies have shown that 90-95% of implants function properly after 10 years.
Factors That Affect Dental Implant Success Rates
Although most dental implants are successful, several variables dictate the procedure’s likelihood of success.
Implant Post Diameter and Length
The physical dimensions of the dental implant will affect the chances of successful osseointegration and the implant’s stability.
Generally, a longer post is more likely to integrate successfully with the bone, while a wider post diameter allows for better load distribution, increasing the strength and durability of the implant. A 2017 study demonstrated that implants between 10 and 11.5 mm long and 3.75 to 4 mm in diameter had the highest success rate.
The maximum post size for each procedure will be based on the patient’s jaw structure. The implant must be surrounded by at least .75 mm of solid bone on each side.
Jawbone Quality
When an intact tooth chews on food, the bite force is transferred into the jawbone, stimulating specialized cells called osteoblasts. These cells are responsible for bone growth. In patients with missing teeth, the osteoblasts do not receive the necessary stimulation to grow bone; instead, cells responsible for the bone breakdown (called osteoclasts) are triggered, resulting in bone tissue deterioration.
If the tooth has been missing for some time and osteoblasts have not been stimulated, there may not be enough remaining structure for a successful implant.
If this is the case, your dentist may recommend bone augmentation to strengthen the jawbone and increase the implant’s chances of success.
Implant Location
Studies have divided the mouth into four zones: the traumatic zone (the top front six teeth to the first premolar), the sinus zone (the top rear teeth, from the second premolar to the pterygoid plates), the interforaminal zone (the bottom front six teeth), and the ischemic zone (the remainder of the bottom teeth).
Implant procedures in the traumatic and ischemic zones are considered the most challenging areas for successful dental implants. However, their success rate is still relatively high (between 71.4% and 80.9%), with augmentation as necessary.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene habits will also play a role in the success of dental implants. Since maintaining a dental implant requires the same oral hygiene practices as natural teeth, proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing can help improve your implant’s chances of success.
Regular visits to the dentist to evaluate the health of your implant are also necessary.
Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent option for patients with missing teeth because they allow patients to restore their previous chewing functionality and aesthetics.
The dental team at Blue Island Smiles can evaluate your mouth and jaw to determine if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant. Call us at (708) 371-3844 today to schedule your free consultation and start on the path toward restoring your smile and renewing your confidence.