Dental implants are widely regarded as one of the most reliable and long-lasting solutions for missing teeth. But how long do they actually last? The answer depends on several factors, including the quality of the implant, the skill of the surgeon, and how well you care for your oral health. In this article, we explore the typical lifespan of dental implants, what influences their durability, and how you can help ensure they last for decades — or even a lifetime.
From our article, you can learn the following:
- What is the downside to dental implants?
- What happens to dental implants after 20 years? Will they last a lifetime?
- What happens if the implant falls out after the implantation?
What is the downside to dental implants?
While dental implants offer many benefits, there are also some downsides and potential risks to consider:
- High initial cost: Dental implants can be expensive compared to other tooth replacement options.
- Surgical procedure required: Involves surgery, which carries risks like infection or nerve damage.
- Long healing time: Full integration can take several months before the final crown is placed.
- Not suitable for everyone: Requires sufficient bone density and good overall health.
- Possible complications: Risk of implant failure, especially in smokers or patients with certain conditions.
- Additional procedures: Bone grafting or sinus lifts may be needed before placement.
Read more about dental implants pros and cons, and the possible problems with dental implants
What factors influence the long lifespan of implants?
We can say that the success of the implantation cardinally depends on three things:
- The quality of the implant. Read about different types of dental implants
- The doctor’s preparedness.
- The patient’s condition and his diligence.
How should we choose – and which implant?
There are about 220 implant types on the market, so you should not only choose on a price basis. Dr. med. dent. Pollacsek recommends trusting your dentist and choosing what he proposes. There are some implants in the high-middle price category that are of high quality. Since the implants are made of titanium, you need not fear rejection or allergic reactions. Poor quality, wrong choice, or cheap but fake implants can all lead to severe problems in the long run, for instance, ossification disorder, inflammation, or even the breakage of the implant.
What happens to dental implants after 20 years? Will they last a lifetime?
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution, and with proper care, many can last 20 years or more – some, especially the implant post, can last a lifetime. After 20 years, the implant post (the titanium root) may remain intact and functional if bone health and oral hygiene are good, but a crown (a false tooth) will need to be replaced due to wear and tear – usually after 10 to 15 years.
How can we best care for the implants to ensure they last for a long time?
As we have already mentioned, much depends on the patient’s attitude. In this chapter, we give some useful advice.
The dental hygiene requires great care also after implantation. Inadequate oral hygiene can cause inflammation, so the implant can loosen. After surgery, the patients must learn how to brush their teeth and how to use the various cleaning equipment for the tooth replacements. We also recommend a regular check-up. Dental replacements built on implants are just like natural teeth in a certain way, and therefore, the following points are (again) recommended:
- Thorough brushing
- Daily flossing
- Check-ups every half year
- Give up smoking
What happens if the implant falls out after the implantation?
This is highly improbable. Only in a small percentage of properly prepared implantations does something go wrong. When, for some reason, the body is not responding well to the implant, inflammation may occur in the affected area, therefore, the removal of the implant may become necessary. Once the affected bone has healed, there is the possibility of a re-implantation. We could have seen that successful implantation is not an unobtainable dream anymore; the money, energy, and diligence we invest in the treatment pay off. By replacing our lost teeth, we can be richer with additional teeth with which we can lead a full life again in the long run.
When, or how many times, does a dental implant need to be replaced?
A dental implant typically doesn’t need to be replaced often — and in many cases, never. However, different parts of the implant have different lifespans. More about problems with dental implants
