How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Quick answer: how long do dental implants last?
Most dental implants last well over 10 years, and many last decades. In one large study of more than 10,000 implants, about 97 percent were still in place at 10 years. The crown on top often needs replacing sooner. Smoking, diabetes, gum infection and grinding can shorten an implant's life.
The implant post sits in the bone and usually outlasts the crown attached to it.
Cleveland Clinic says most crowns and bridges last around 15 years.
Infection around the implant, called peri-implantitis, becomes more common over time.
Daily brushing, flossing and regular checkups help an implant last.
If you are thinking about a dental implant, you want to know it will not fail in a few years. That is a smart thing to ask before any treatment. Here is what long-term studies show, why the crown on top may need replacing before the implant does, and what you can do to help an implant last. At Smyrna Dental Studio in Smyrna, GA, we help patients weigh this choice.
How long do dental implants last?
Most dental implants last more than 10 years, and many last 20 years or longer. A large study of 10,871 implants found 96.8 percent were still working at 10 years and 94 percent at 15 years. Results depend on your health, your habits and how well the implant is cared for over time.
What the research shows
That large study, a 22-year cohort study of 4,247 patients, followed implants placed in one practice. For longer time frames, a 2024 review of 20-year implant studies concluded that about 4 out of 5 implants are still in place after 20 years. Its authors rated the quality of that evidence as very low, so treat it as a rough guide.
Why results vary from person to person
No implant is a lifetime promise. The same review says implant care does not end after surgery and needs lifelong follow-up. Cleveland Clinic notes that with brushing, flossing and regular dental visits, implants can often last a lifetime. If you are weighing treatment, our dental implant page explains how the process works.
How long do dental implant crowns last?
The crown on an implant usually wears out before the implant post does. Cleveland Clinic says most crowns and bridges last around 15 years and may need replacing at some point. Replacing a worn crown is usually a simpler visit than replacing the implant itself, because the post can stay in the bone.
Implant post vs crown
Part | What it does | What wears it down |
|---|---|---|
Implant post | Acts as the tooth root and bonds with the jawbone | Infection around the implant, bone loss, health factors |
Abutment | Connects the post to the crown | Heavy bite forces over time |
Crown | The visible tooth you chew with | Daily chewing, grinding, chips |
Why the crown wears first
The crown takes every bite, so it faces the most wear, and grinding can chip it sooner. Other dental work wears too, as our guide on how long fillings last explains.
Want this checked? Wondering if an implant is right for you, or if yours feels different? We can take a look. Book a visit online or call (770) 863-0005.
What is the most common cause of dental implant failure?
There is no single most common cause. Researchers describe implant failure as multifactorial, meaning several things often work together. Early failures can happen when the implant does not bond with the bone. Later problems are often tied to infection around the implant, along with smoking, diabetes, grinding and gaps in home care.
What raises the risk
Smoking: in the large cohort study, heavy smoking was linked to a higher chance of failure. Read more on how smoking affects implants.
Diabetes: diabetes was also linked to more failures. Cleveland Clinic lists unmanaged diabetes as a reason implants may not be a good option.
Gum disease history: one review notes that infection around implants may be more likely in people who lost teeth to gum disease.
Grinding: one long-term study in the 20-year review linked tooth grinding to a higher risk of failure.
Skipping care: plaque around an implant can lead to inflamed gums and, over time, bone loss.
Peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the gum around an implant with loss of the bone that holds it, usually driven by plaque. In the cohort study, it was found in 2 percent of implants at 2 to 3 years and 7.1 percent at 8 to 10 years. Regular checkups help catch it early.
What are the downfalls of dental implants?
The main downsides of dental implants are that they need surgery, healing takes months, and you need enough healthy bone to hold them. They also need daily cleaning and regular checkups for life. One review notes that while implant success rates are high, failures and complications are still common enough to plan for.
Healing time
Cleveland Clinic says the bone bonding with the implant can take three to nine months.
Bone and health needs
If bone is thin, you may need a bone graft first. Learn more about bone graft success rates. Active gum disease and unmanaged diabetes also need attention before an implant is placed.
How painful is a dental implant?
Cleveland Clinic says slight discomfort and swelling are normal after implant surgery, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help. The first round of healing takes about one week. Follow the product label and ask a pharmacist or doctor which pain reliever is safe for you. If you feel nervous, ask about sedation options.
Signs to call the office
Call us if you notice any of these:
A loose or wobbly implant
Bleeding or swollen gums around the implant
Pus around the implant
Fever or swollen lymph nodes in your neck
For swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, high fever, or swelling spreading to the eye, face or neck, go to the ER or call 911.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get an implant?
If a tooth can be saved and kept healthy, saving it is often the first choice. A 2023 review comparing natural teeth and implants found root canal treated teeth and implants have similar long-term survival, and suggests trying to save maintainable teeth first. When a tooth cannot be saved, an implant is one strong option.
Implants vs bridges and dentures
A bridge needs the teeth next to the gap to be shaved down, which Cleveland Clinic notes can weaken them over time. It also says most dentures last at least seven years, and implants usually outlast traditional dentures. For several missing teeth, full-mouth implant options may be worth discussing.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dental implants take to heal?
The gums usually go through a first round of healing in about one week. The bone then bonds with the implant over roughly three to nine months, according to Cleveland Clinic. Your timeline depends on your bone, your health and whether you needed a bone graft.
Can dental implants get cavities?
The implant and crown are not natural tooth, so they cannot decay the way a tooth does. The gum and bone around them can still get infected, so brushing and flossing still matter. We explain more in our post on whether implants can get cavities.
How can I help my implant last longer?
Brush and floss every day, keep regular dental visits, and avoid smoking. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to keep it under control. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist whether a night guard makes sense for you.
Do dental implants last longer than dentures?
Usually, yes. Cleveland Clinic says most dentures last at least seven years, and implants generally outlast traditional dentures that rest on the gums. Dentures can still be a good fit for some people, so the right choice depends on your bone, health and goals.
Is "how long does an implant last in your arm" the same thing?
No. That search is about birth control implants placed in the arm, which are a different medical device with their own timeline. This post covers dental implants only, which replace the root of a missing tooth. For questions about an arm implant, talk with your doctor or the clinic that placed it.
Talk with us about whether an implant fits your plans
Dental implants can last many years, especially when you keep up with daily care and checkups. An exam is the clearest way to know your own outlook. At a consultation, Dr. Raheel Thobhani, who places dental implants at our office, can look at your bone, gums and health history and walk you through your options. We welcome patients from Smyrna and nearby areas. Book your consultation online or call (770) 863-0005, and our team will help find the earliest visit available. This is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to advise on your situation.