“How long do dental implants last?”

Many years to life

The implant may last forever, as long as the tissues around them are healthy.

Well that is completely up to you. Dental implant are amazing adjunct to missing teeth, but they require the exact same maintenance that your normal teeth require. See your dentist on a regular basis for them to clean around each implant and to clean the prosthetic that is on them. Your dentist will decide how often you should be seen based on your oral health.

That is a good question. We don't know. Implants are not like natural teeth. Diabetics are more at risk to have an implant fail. Also if you are getting your teeth cleaned, implants need to be handled differently. Be sure the hygienist knows about your implant.
Practice good oral hygiene. Use good mouthwashes when you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Don't smoke.
If it is a single tooth implant, and you are a healthy non-smoker and practice good oral hygiene with regular dental check ups, there is a good chance your implant will last a long time, hopefully a lifetime. If the implant supports a bridge or a denture, then the extra stress could shorten its lifetime. Patient health issues can also cause an implant to fail sooner.

Dental implants can last a lifetime of you take proper care of them. That means thorough daily brushing and flossing and regular visits with your dentist for professional care.
If you don't take good care of them, they have all the same potential problems as teeth with the exception that the titanium will not decay.

Properly restored implants in a healthy person have no expiration. Research has shown that they can last indefinitely.

Dental implants last for a long time ( up to 10+ years, or more) if the following conditions are met.
1. Planning and expectations expressed by the patient to the dentist; if patient expectations are not realistic, the placement of implants should be undertaken via a second opinion with another very well qualified dentist.
2. What is the jaw bone like in terms of thickness and consistency. With inadequate alveolar (jaw) bone, placement of implants is not advised.
3. What is the general medical status of the patient. Some conditions such as osteoporosis (thinning of bone) will reduce the length of dental implant retention.
4. What restoration is attached to the implant? Single crown, fixed bridge or overlay denture? And is the restoration properly made and inserted by the dentist and the lab? Poor design or workmanship will cause implant failure.
5. What material is the implant, abutment and final restoration made from? You want a dentist and the dental lab to be using very high quality materials. There are "knockoffs" that will cause failure and maybe patient medical problems.
6. Do you use tobacco in any form? Some dentists will not insert implants if you continue using tobacco.
7. What level of oral hygiene will you perform on a daily basis? And, will you periodocally visit with the dental hygienist for maintenance of oral health and checking the implants? Poor, infrequent personal oral hygiene care may cause failure of the implants.
8. Even under idea conditions, it is unlikely that dental implants will be retained in your jaw bone for another 39 years. It may be necessary to replace one or more over time.
9. As is typical in dental offices today, your informed consent is important concerning implant placement and restoring on top of the implants.

There is no way to provide a simple true answer to that question. Some last for many many years, and others fail after a few months. It all depends upon the type of bone you have, how well you heal, and the amount of skill that the surgeon has that performs the treatment. Good luck.

If you’re in good health and have a good bone to place the implant and longevity, should be for many years, maybe a lifetime.

Best Regards,

Dr. Mark Berkowitz

When dental implants are done properly and placed and restored well, dental implants can last indefinitely.