Dental implants are designed to be a long-term treatment and, with good care, can remain successful for many years. However, no dental implant can be guaranteed to last for a particular length of time.
What affects how long a dental implant lasts?
The long-term health of an implant depends on several factors. These include the health of the surrounding bone and gums, how well the implant is cleaned, smoking, general health, the forces placed on the implant when you bite and whether you attend for regular professional maintenance.
Careful planning and appropriate implant placement at the beginning of treatment are also important to long-term success.
The implant and the replacement tooth are not the same thing
It is useful to distinguish between the dental implant itself and the restoration attached to it. The implant is the part positioned within the jawbone. The crown, bridge or denture supported by the implant is a separate component.
An implant may remain healthy and firmly integrated while the restoration above it requires maintenance, repair or replacement over time.
Looking after your dental implants
Although implants cannot develop tooth decay, plaque and biofilm can accumulate around them and cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues. Good daily cleaning and regular professional maintenance are therefore essential.
Any bleeding, swelling, discomfort, movement or other changes around an implant should be assessed rather than ignored.
I have been placing dental implants since 1988 and have seen many patients whose implants have continued to function successfully for decades. Good treatment planning, appropriate placement and long-term maintenance all contribute to giving dental implants the best chance of remaining healthy and functional for many years.