Can dental implants be replaced?

Dental Implants are a common form of treatment to replace teeth that are either missing or have been damaged. The treatment consists of removing the natural tooth and putting in a titanium root and dental crown in its place, to fully replace the natural tooth.

Dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime, assuming good oral hygiene, a favourable lifestyle and limited harm/damage around the implant area. However, on average they tend to last 15-20 years, with data showing 95% of implants lasting this long. This is largely due to poor oral hygiene, negative lifestyle factors such as smoking, and injuries sustained to the surrounding area.

We are often asked whether dental implants can be replaced, and the answer depends on what part of the implant is damaged.

Replacing the crown part of the dental implant is common and can be done quite easily, this is primarily done when cracks appear in the crown, or the colour of the crown has deteriorated. On the other hand, the titanium root portion of the dental implant is far more difficult to replace, and the procedure is generally not done unless there is serious reason for concern.

The primary reason for the root needing to be replaced is when oral hygiene has been poor and there has not been enough regular dental hygienist visits. This can cause infection around the implant area, potentially leading to dental implants becoming detached from the gum and becoming loose. In this scenario the dental implant will likely need to be fully extracted and future options will be discussed.

If possible, another dental implant procedure can be done to replace the former implant, this would be a like for like replacement. However, if there are extensive issues in this area and another implant is not possible, then other options may be discussed such as dentures or bridges.

Maximize the lifespan of your dental implant
In order to prevent needing an implant altogether there are a few things you can do to maximise the lifespan of your dental implants can help avoid unnecessary replacements for as long as possible. If kept in good condition, your implants could last a lifetime. Doing this is similar to caring for your natural teeth such as by brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes at a time and regularly flossing to ensure the implants remain clean. This will reduce bacteria building up in the implant area and the subsequent chances of infection.

Additionally, scheduling regular dental check-ups can ensure the implants are kept in good condition and any issues can be spotted early. If the implants are kept in good condition and any small issues are spotted quickly then this can avoid having to do a full replacement of the implant. In this scenario some minor fixes can be put in place or just a crown replacement can be done.

If you would like to enquire further about dental implants or any other dental treatments please do not hesitate to contact the practice to chat things through.