It’s normal to have many questions about dental implants and one of the most frequent is about their longevity.
How long implants last and how well they perform in the mouth largely depends on each case and the patient’s lifestyle.
Although it’s uncommon, an implant can crack or fracture. More often, however, issues relate to the tissues surrounding the implant.
Just like with natural teeth, bacteria can accumulate around an implant. Without proper oral hygiene, the gums become inflamed and may trigger bone loss around the implant. These conditions can lead to peri-implant diseases.
What are peri-implant diseases?
Peri-implant disease refers to infectious, inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues that surround a dental implant. There are two types:
- Mucositis: inflammation limited to the soft tissue around the implant. There is no bone loss, and with appropriate treatment, it is reversible.
- Peri-implantitis: an inflammatory process affecting the tissues around the implant that results in bone loss. It is a late complication that can lead to implant loss and should be distinguished from early implant loss caused by other factors.
To detect peri-implant diseases early, clinical checkups of implants are necessary at least once a year.
Are dental implants for life?
Implants are designed to be a definitive treatment. In other words, they don’t have an expiration date or set average lifespan.
Even so, different studies show that 90% of implants placed more than 10 years ago remain functional today.
The study “Dental treatment with single implants. A 5-year study” reported an implant survival rate of 97.2% at 5 years and 95.2% at 10 years.
This means 95% of all implants placed function at least five years without issues, and only 5% needed to be removed before the five-year mark.
In fact, an implant’s service life can extend to 20 years especially in patients who maintain their implants optimally.
How can I extend the life of my implants?
After surgery, an implant’s longevity depends on several factors:
Oral hygiene: Care routines for implants should mirror those for natural teeth. Thorough toothbrushing plus interdental tools (interproximal brushes, floss, or water flossers) are essential.
Smoking: Tobacco is a major reason osseointegration fails, since it impairs healing and promotes inflammation.
Stress: Stress can trigger bruxism (clenching/grinding), especially during sleep. Occlusal overload can cause microfractures at the bone–implant interface and, over time, bone resorption. Occlusal guards/night guards can help protect against this.
Frequent dental checkups: Maintenance visits monitor the health of tissues around the implant and help prevent peri-implant disease. They also ensure the load on the implant is appropriate.
An implant’s success depends, on the one hand, on the dentist’s training in oral surgery and experience to avoid complications during the procedure; and on the other, on the patient’s care and lifestyle for long-term success.
Dr. Daniel Fernández has over 15 years of experience placing dental implants. If you’d like information on costs or have questions about treatment, feel free to contact us.
This article explains that dental implants are designed as a long-term solution, with high success rates at 10 and 15 years. Their durability, however, depends on preventing peri-implant diseases such as mucositis and peri-implantitis. This content is informational; a plan of regular follow-ups with a specialist is the only way to ensure proper care of your implants.
Learn more about dental implants and long-term maintenance. Book your professional evaluation. Contact us via WhatsApp, phone, or by completing our online form.
