A well-placed implant that is cleaned and reviewed regularly often lasts 15 years or more, and many last for decades. Studies report that over 90 per cent of implants are still in place at 10 years, though the crown on top may need replacing sooner than the implant itself.
Two parts, two lifespans
A dental implant has two main parts, and they age differently.
- The implant (the post). A titanium post placed in the jawbone. When it bonds with the bone, which takes about 3 to 6 months, it can last very long.
- The crown, bridge or denture on top. This takes the daily load of chewing, and can wear, chip or loosen. Crowns on implants commonly last 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer, and are designed to be replaced without touching the implant.
When people ask how long implants last, they usually mean "the whole tooth". In that sense, expect the post to be the long-term part and the visible tooth to need attention at some point.
What the studies say
Long-term studies of modern implants usually report survival rates above 90 per cent at 10 years, and many follow patients for 15 to 20 years or more. "Survival" means the implant is still in the mouth. "Success" is a tougher standard, which also requires healthy gums and stable bone, and the figures are a little lower.
These are averages. Your own result depends on you, on the site, and on how the implant was placed and restored. No dentist can promise a number of years for one person.
What affects how long an implant lasts
Gum and bone health. The main long-term threat is peri-implantitis, an infection of the gum and bone around the implant. It looks like gum disease and often starts as bleeding or redness around the implant. If caught early it can be treated. If left, it can destroy the bone.
Cleaning. Plaque around an implant causes the same trouble as around a natural tooth. Daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, with interdental brushes or floss, is essential.
Smoking and tobacco. Smoking, and chewing tobacco, reduce blood flow in the gums and raise the risk of implant failure and peri-implantitis. Stopping is one of the most useful things you can do.
Health conditions. Poorly controlled diabetes, some medicines that affect bone, and previous radiotherapy to the jaw can reduce success. Tell your surgeon about your medical history and medicines.
Bone quantity and quality. An implant placed in dense bone with enough width around it generally does better. A bone graft may be needed first in some sites. The back of the upper jaw often has softer bone than the lower jaw.
Bite forces. Grinding or clenching (bruxism) can loosen screws, chip porcelain or overload the implant. A night guard is often advised.
The surgery and the restoration. Careful planning, scans, correct positioning and a well-fitting crown all matter. The steps are outlined on the dental implants page.
How to make an implant last
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush, and clean around the implant once a day. Ask how to clean under a bridge or around a full-arch set.
- Attend reviews. Many surgeons suggest every 6 months, with X-rays at intervals, to check bone levels and the fit of the crown.
- Keep up professional cleaning. Plastic or titanium-safe tools are used, not ones that scratch the implant.
- Avoid tobacco.
- Use a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Do not chew ice, pen caps or very hard objects with the implant tooth.
- Keep diabetes and other long-term conditions under control.
Follow the instructions in implant aftercare in the first weeks, as the implant is still bonding.
When an implant can fail
Failure can be early (the implant does not bond in the first months) or late (bone loss around it after years). Early failure is uncommon, often linked to infection, smoking, poor bone or too much load too soon. Late failure is usually linked to gum infection.
A failed implant can sometimes be removed and replaced after healing, with a bone graft if needed. This is possible, but not in every case.
Signs to watch for
- Bleeding, redness or swelling around the implant
- Pus or a bad taste from the area
- A crown that feels loose or clicks
- Pain when biting
- Gum receding to show the metal
None of these is normal after the initial healing. They should be checked early, since early treatment of the gum around an implant has a better chance of success.
When to see a dentist
- Bleeding, redness or swelling around an implant
- A crown or bridge that feels loose or moves
- Pain when biting on an implant tooth
- Pus, a bad taste or bad breath from the implant area
- Gum receding so that metal or threads show
Related treatment: Dental implants →