How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The short answer.
A 2019 review found about 96 in 100 implants were still in place after ten years. The crown on top may need replacing over time, and smoking, low bone density and grinding raise the risk of failure.
A dental implant is a long-term solution for a missing tooth. This tiny biocompatible titanium screw is placed in the jawbone to mimic a tooth root. Once installed and an abutment has been added, a prosthetic replacement crown made from ceramic or porcelain is placed on top.
If you require a replacement for a full dental arch, your dentist may use several implants to support a denture plate.
When considering the procedure, an important question to ask your dentist is, ‘how long do dental implants last?’ The lifetime of your dental implants depends on several factors, such as if you smoke, have sufficient jawbone density or other underlying health issues.
After reviewing your medical history and performing a comprehensive oral exam, your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for this surgery and discuss your options for moving forward.
Most people are candidates for dental implant surgery. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last for many years.
Ten Years and Beyond
With good care, a dental implant can last many years. Osseointegration is when the dental implant becomes fused with the underlying jawbone, creating a secure bond and anchoring the root in the bone. This allows the implant to become a root for the new crown.
A 2019 review of studies that followed implants for ten years found about 96 in 100 were still in place (another site) (Howe, Keys and Richards, Journal of Dentistry, 2019). However, the crown may need to be periodically replaced. Like natural teeth, crowns experience normal wear and tear from eating, chewing, and tooth grinding. Between 50% and 80% of crowns need to be replaced within the first 20 years (another site).
Implant Failure Rates
While most dental implants last many years, some do fail. Dental implant failure usually results from interference with the osseointegration process, so the implant is not secure in the jawbone and may become loose over time.
Several factors can contribute to implant failure.
Insufficient jawbone density or thickness
Dental implants need to be anchored in your jawbone for long-lasting stability. If there’s not enough underlying bone before installing the implant, bone fusion won’t be effective, which causes it to become loose.
During your treatment at Dental Spot, we will evaluate whether you need a bone graft before installing a dental implant. A bone graft ensures there is enough bone for the implant to be embedded by transferring material from another part of your body.
Using 3D imaging technology, X-Ray, and CT scanning, we identify whether the bone density is sufficient for a successful dental implant.
Poor aftercare and maintenance
Looking after your oral hygiene is critical for your dental implants. If you don’t care for your teeth and gums, this leads to a buildup of plaque and bacteria, which can cause gum disease.
When plaque and bacteria build up around the dental implant site, this can cause peri-implant disease (another site). This disease can cause gum swelling and bone loss. If the disease leads to bone deterioration, it is known as peri-implantitis, which can cause implant failure and may require surgery to treat.
Maintaining your dental implants requires good oral hygiene habits, such as:
- Brushing teeth at least twice a day
- Flossing and rinsing your mouth using an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day
- Avoiding sugary foods and drinks
- Attending regular dentist appointments
Teeth grinding and occlusal trauma
Both natural teeth and dental implants can be damaged by teeth grinding. Grinding can cause the crown to fracture or the dental implant to become damaged and loosen.
The tiny movements caused by repeated grinding may disrupt the osseointegration process causing the implant to become unstable.
Similarly, occlusal trauma results (another site) from teeth being damaged by excessive force. Causes such as facial injuries and jaw clenching may damage dental implants, causing them to become loose.
What to Do When Implants Fail
If you experience symptoms that indicate a failed dental implant, it’s essential to consult your dentist as soon as possible. Although failed implants can be replaced, early intervention may prevent you from needing to remove your current implant. Symptoms include:
- A moving implant
- Pain when biting and chewing
- Signs of peri-implantitis such as swelling, redness, bleeding, and infection
Sources
- Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: a systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis (another site), Journal of Dentistry, 2019
- Summary review of the survival of single crowns (another site), General Dentistry, 2009
- Peri-implant disease: what we know and what we need to know (another site), Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science, 2016
- Are Dental Implants Permanent? (another site), Healthline
- Dental implant procedure (another site), healthdirect
This guide is general information, not advice about your own teeth. Your dentist can tell you what applies to you, including the risks of any treatment.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
