How long do dental implants last?

An implant is two things, and they have very different lifespans. The titanium post in the jaw is the implant. The crown screwed or cemented on top is the tooth you can see. Long-term studies consistently put implant survival at around ninety to ninety-five per cent at ten years, and many are still doing their job at twenty and beyond.

The crown is the shorter-lived part. Expect ten to fifteen years from a well-made crown before it needs replacing through wear, chipping or a change in the gum around it. Replacing a crown is a modest piece of work; the implant underneath stays put.

What shortens an implant's life

• Smoking, which is comfortably the single biggest risk factor
• Gum disease left untreated, which attacks the bone holding the implant
• Poor cleaning around the implant, leading to peri-implantitis
• Grinding or clenching without a nightguard
• Uncontrolled diabetes, which slows healing and bone maintenance
• Skipping maintenance appointments once the work is finished

What makes one last

Planning is most of it. Adequate bone, correct positioning, the right implant system and a bite that distributes force sensibly are decided before anything is placed. An implant put in the wrong position can look fine on day one and fail at year five.

After that, it is unglamorous maintenance: brushing, interdental cleaning around the implant, a hygienist appointment every six months, and a nightguard if you grind. Implants cannot decay, which lulls some people into relaxing — but the gum and bone around them absolutely can be lost.

What we do here

Implants at the practice are planned from a 3D scan, placed with premium systems that will still be supported in twenty years' time, and reviewed annually with radiographs so bone levels are tracked rather than guessed at. If your case is not suitable, or would be better served by a bridge, you will be told that at the consultation.

Book a consultation in Twickenham or call the practice to talk it through.