How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When you get a dental implant, a titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Also known as tooth implant, it’s designed to be a permanent solution—but "permanent" doesn’t mean forever. The actual lifespan depends on how well it’s cared for, your overall health, and whether you avoid habits that damage it. Many people assume implants last a lifetime with no maintenance, but that’s a myth. Studies show over 95% of implants survive at least 10 years, and many last 20–30 years or longer if you take care of them like you would your natural teeth.
What really determines how long an implant lasts isn’t the implant itself—it’s the bone integration, the process where the jawbone fuses with the titanium post. If the bone doesn’t heal properly, the implant fails early. That’s why smokers, diabetics, and people with poor oral hygiene have higher failure rates. Then there’s peri-implantitis, a gum infection around the implant that can destroy bone. It’s the #1 reason implants fail after the first few years, and it’s completely preventable with regular cleanings and brushing.
Placing an implant is just the start. The crown on top—the visible tooth—usually needs replacement every 10–15 years due to normal wear, not because the implant failed. So when someone says their implant lasted 25 years, they’re probably talking about the post, not the crown. And if you grind your teeth, bite nails, or chew ice, you’re putting extra stress on the implant. That’s not always obvious until the crown cracks or the screw loosens.
You don’t need fancy products to keep implants healthy. Just brush twice a day, floss daily, and get professional cleanings every 6 months. Avoid sugary drinks and tobacco. If your dentist notices early signs of gum inflammation around the implant, they can stop it before it turns into bone loss. Most people who lose implants do so because they waited too long to act.
There’s no magic number for how long implants last. But if you treat them like real teeth, they’ll behave like them. The ones that fail usually do so because of neglect—not because the technology is flawed. What you’ll find below are real stories, facts, and advice from people who’ve lived with implants for years, and the common mistakes that cost others their results.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last? Real-World Lifespan and What Affects Them
Dental implants can last 20 to 30 years or longer with proper care. Learn what affects their lifespan, how to prevent failure, and why maintenance matters more than the initial cost.
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