With good care, a dental implant is designed to last for many years, and for many patients it can last for decades. The implant post that anchors into your jawbone is the most durable part. The crown on top may eventually need replacing because of normal wear.
How long your implant lasts depends on things you can control, like daily care, regular cleanings, and habits such as smoking or grinding, along with a few things you can’t.
At The Dentist in Glendale, AZ, our doctors place and restore implants in-house. That means the same team that plans your implant also cares for it in the years that follow.
Have questions? Call or text The Dentist at (623) 773-1991.
What’s the Difference Between the Implant and the Crown on Top?
A dental implant has three parts, and each one wears differently:
- The implant post: A small post placed in the jawbone that acts like a tooth root. Over a few months, the bone grows around and bonds to it, a process called osseointegration.
- The abutment: A connector that attaches the post to the visible tooth.
- The crown (or bridge or denture): The part you see and chew with.
The post is designed to stay in place long term. The crown takes the daily force of chewing, so after many years it may wear, chip, or need to be replaced. Replacing a worn implant crown or restoration usually doesn’t mean replacing the implant itself.
What Can Shorten the Life of a Dental Implant?
Implants can’t get cavities, but the gums and bone that support them can still run into trouble. The most common threats include:
- Infection around the implant (peri-implantitis): Inflammation of the gums and bone around an implant, similar to gum disease around a natural tooth. Left untreated, it can lead to bone loss and a loose implant.
- Skipped cleanings and inconsistent home care: Plaque buildup around the implant is the main driver of that inflammation.
- Smoking and vaping: These can slow healing and raise the risk of problems around the implant.
- Grinding and clenching: Heavy nighttime forces can loosen or chip implant crowns.
- Uncontrolled health conditions: Conditions like poorly controlled diabetes can affect healing and gum health.
- Using teeth as tools: Opening packages, chewing ice, or biting hard objects puts unnecessary stress on any restoration.
How Do You Take Care of a Dental Implant?
Care for an implant the way you’d care for a natural tooth, with a little extra attention to the gumline:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, angling toward the gums.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss, small interdental brushes, or a water flosser.
- Keep up with professional cleanings and exams. Our hygienists check the gum tissue around your implant and can catch early inflammation before it becomes a bigger problem. A European Federation of Periodontology clinical practice guideline recommends ongoing supportive care for implant patients, including regular checks of the tissue around each implant.
- Wear a night guard if you grind. It protects your implant crown and your natural teeth.
- Don’t ignore warning signs. Bleeding, swelling, tenderness, or a crown that feels loose are reasons to call us promptly.
Regular dental cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to help your implant last.
Why Does It Help to Have Your Implant Placed and Restored in One Office?
Many patients have an implant placed at one office and the crown made at another. That can work, but it splits the planning and follow-up between two teams.
When our doctors handle both steps in-house, the final tooth is planned from the very beginning, and the same team follows your implant at every visit afterward. We also use the same trusted methods, materials, and lab partners we’ve relied on for years, which helps keep results predictable.
As a privately owned office, we see many of the same patients year after year. That long-term view is exactly what an implant needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dental implant get a cavity?
No. The implant and the crown on top are made of materials that can’t decay. The gums and bone around the implant can still become inflamed or infected, though, so daily cleaning and regular visits still matter.
Can a failed implant be replaced?
In many cases, yes. If an implant loosens or fails, it can often be removed, the area allowed to heal, and a new implant placed once the bone and gums are healthy enough. A consultation will tell us what’s possible in your situation.
Can I get an implant if I grind my teeth?
Often, yes. Grinding puts extra force on implant crowns, so our doctors may recommend a custom night guard to protect your implant and your natural teeth. We’ll factor grinding into your treatment plan from the start.
Does dental insurance cover implants?
Coverage for implants varies widely between PPO plans. Call or text our office at (623) 773-1991, and our team can help you verify your benefits. Cherry financing is also available as a payment option.
Talk With Our Doctors About Dental Implants in Glendale
Whether you’re replacing a missing tooth or want to know more about the implant you already have, we’re glad to help. Learn more about dental implants at The Dentist in Glendale, AZ, from planning and placement to the final restoration, all under one roof.
Call or text us at (623) 773-1991, or send a message through our contact form to request a consultation.
