Do Dental Implants Last a Lifetime?

Do dental implants last a lifetime? There is one fact about implants that make many people wonder if they really last a lifetime, the use of titanium.

Titanium has a unique property in that it fuses with bone, a level of natural integration unmatched by many other materials used in dentistry today. With proper care, titanium implants can last a lifetime.

The implant itself typically lasts for a lifetime, but the crown or prosthetic that sits on top typically needs replacement or repair within 10 to 15 years due to normal wear and tear.

How Titanium Fuses With Bone

In many cases, a dental implant can last for the rest of a person’s life!

The titanium post fuses directly with the jawbone, becoming part of that bone structure and allowing it to function just like a natural tooth root.

A 25-year retrospective study tracking implant patients who kept up with regular maintenance found survival rates of 95 percent for the implant itself and 88 percent for the prosthetic on top.

Why the Crown or Prosthetic Wears Differently Than the Implant

The chewing surface, the crown, will wear, chip, or become loose over time. This does not mean the implant itself has failed, and in most cases the implant will not need to be touched at all.

After several decades, most patients will need to replace the crown once or twice, while the implant itself typically remains untouched.

Why Dental Implants Really Last Longer Than a Bridge or Denture

An implant may cost more upfront than a bridge or denture. However, implants last far longer than either alternative, which often need relining or full replacement every few years.

Since the implant itself can last decades, that upfront cost spreads out over time and, in many cases, ends up costing less than repeatedly replacing a bridge or denture every 10 to 15 years.

What Actually Threatens Whether Dental Implants Last a Lifetime

Peri-implantitis, an infection of the soft and hard tissue surrounding an implant, is the leading cause of failure.

A 20-year meta-analysis of implant survival found an average survival rate around 93 percent, with smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and nighttime teeth grinding identified as the major risk factors.

Poor oral hygiene is the single worst offender. Just like natural teeth, plaque buildup around an implant can cause problems, though the resulting issues can be more serious than what develops around a natural tooth.

Early Warning Signs Worth Taking Seriously

Bleeding, swelling, soreness, or tenderness around an implant are signs worth taking seriously and having checked promptly. Left untreated, these symptoms can progress to bone loss around the implant, which is difficult to reverse and can eventually lead to implant failure.

A crown that feels even slightly loose is worth mentioning at your next appointment rather than waiting for your next scheduled cleaning.

The Hidden Factors That Can Affect the Lifespan of Dental Implants

Regular checkups help prevent peri-implantitis before it becomes a bigger problem. Brushing and flossing around an implant the same way you would a natural tooth goes a long way toward preventing complications.

Patients who keep up with follow-up maintenance appointments see meaningfully better long-term results than those who treat the implant as a one-time procedure.

Bone density at the time of surgery also plays a major role in long-term success.

Genetics and overall health can influence healing time and how well an implant holds up, though these factors are largely outside your control.

What is within your control is consistent maintenance and addressing problems early, before they become bigger issues.

Talk to Our Team About Whether Dental Implants Really Last for Your Situation, Call Us Today!

Learn more about what kind of results you can expect with dental implants by calling our team today at 301-880-4439 or requesting an appointment online now.

At Southern Maryland Family and Prosthodontic Dentistry, Dr. Joesph Luke and his son Dr. Jonathan Luke have been providing patients in St. Mary’s County and Calvert County with proper dental implants since the mid-1990s.