Are Dental Implants Permanent?

If you have lost any of your adult teeth due to infection or injury, there are options available for replacing those teeth, including dentures, partial dentures, bridges, and dental implants. For those who are looking for a permanent, non-removable apparatus to replace teeth, dental implants are a great choice.

About Dental Implants

Implants are made of three main components: the implant post, the abutment, and the crown.

Implant post: This is a piece of surgical-grade titanium that is about the size and shape of a tooth root. When implanted directly into the jawbone, it essentially becomes the new tooth root as it fuses to the tissue through a process called osseointegration.

Abutment: After the osseointegration process, another smaller post is added called the abutment. This is an anchor piece to connect the implant to the restoration piece.

Crown: The crown is the final piece of an implant. It looks like a real tooth and is attached to the abutment using dental cement or screw retention.

What Makes Dental Implants Permanent?

Implants are indistinguishable from real teeth in their appearance, feel, and function. They are permanent thanks to the implant post. The implant post goes directly in the jawbone, fuses to the bone tissue, cannot be removed, and lasts a lifetime—exactly like a real tooth. Other parts of dental implants—the abutment and crown—are not permanent, but still cannot be removed without help from your dentist. The crown generally should be replaced every 15 to 20 years, however, in some cases, they may last several decades.

For more information about dental implants, call or stop by Ridge View Dental. We are happy to answer all your questions!