How long can dental implants last

Dental implants can remain functional for many years when bone, gums, biting forces, and the replacement crown are maintained.

The answer depends on the clinical finding and the treatment that addresses it.

A dental implant is a titanium or ceramic fixture placed in the jawbone, joined to bone by osseointegration, with an abutment and a crown or bridge above it. The fixture and the visible restoration age differently, so the crown may need repair or replacement before the implant.

Keep the implant area clean with a toothbrush, interdental brush, or other device recommended for its shape, and attend maintenance examinations. Avoid using the crown to bite hard objects, and report bleeding, swelling, looseness, or a change in the bite.

See an implant dentist promptly if the crown or abutment moves, the implant feels loose, pus or swelling develops, or bleeding around the implant persists. The dentist may check probing depths, bite forces, radiographs, and the fit of the restoration.

Ask how the implant, abutment, and crown will be maintained separately, which cleaning tools fit the design, and how smoking, gum disease, grinding, bone quality, and bite forces affect the plan. Ask what signs mean the restoration needs adjustment.