If you’re missing teeth, you probably have heard a lot about how strong dental implants are. They can provide you with an incredible amount of bite force, and they can easily last for 20-30 years with only moderate maintenance.
You may have even heard that dental implants are actually stronger than your natural teeth. Your natural teeth are the strongest bones in your body, so you may wonder how that could possibly be the case. If you’re curious, here’s more information about why this comparison may be warranted.
Are Dental Implants Stronger Than Your Natural Teeth?
This question is a complicated one; in many ways, the answer is yes, depending on what you mean by it. It is incredibly rare for dental implants to crack or break. In fact, over 95% of dental implants are successful at 20 years, and many last as long as 30. They’re also resistant to decay, unlike your natural enamel.
However, it is possible for dental implants to crack, just like your natural teeth. That is more the case for some parts of your implant than others, which means that answering this question fully necessitates a more complete understanding of how dental implants work.
What Parts of Dental Implants Are So Strong?
Modern dental implants come in three parts—post, abutment, and crown. The post is the titanium rod that is actually inserted into the jaw, and this is the part of the dental implant that is most resistant to failure. Then there’s the abutment, also made of titanium, which is similarly hard to destroy.
Finally comes the crown, made of porcelain, which is the part whose strength is most comparable to your natural tooth. If put under pressure, it is possible for the dental crown to break. If you bite down on something too hard or suffer from chronic bruxism, you could still damage this part of the dental implant.
How to Keep Your Dental Implant
While it’s arguably the case that your dental implant is stronger than your teeth, you still need to put in the work to protect them. The biggest threat to your dental implant is infection, which can begin to attack the jawbone if you aren’t careful.
For that reason, it’s important that you keep up with dental hygiene—brush twice a day, floss daily, and use antiseptic mouthwash to stave off infection!
About Our Practice
At Dentistry By Brand, we’re happy to offer our patients whatever dental care they could possibly need, whether it’s a simple filling, care for their family, or a complete smile makeover. No matter what it is you’re dealing with, we can offer you empathetic dental care that makes use of the latest technology in oral medicine.
If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 495-9009.