How Long Do Dental Implants Really Last? Evidence-Based Answer

Dental Implant Longevity: What the Research Says

When patients invest in dental implants — especially if travelling abroad for treatment — the most important question is: how long will they last? The answer, supported by decades of clinical research, is overwhelmingly positive. But it comes with important nuances that every patient should understand.

This article summarises the best available evidence from published peer-reviewed studies, not marketing claims.

The Published Data: Survival Rates Over Time

A large cohort study published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research (French et al., 2021) tracked 10,871 dental implants in 4,247 patients with up to 22 years of follow-up. This is one of the largest long-term implant studies ever conducted. The cumulative survival rates at the implant level were:

Time Period	Implant-Level Survival Rate	Patient-Level Survival Rate
5 years	98.5%	96.7%
10 years	96.8%	92.5%
15 years	94.0%	86.0%

A separate systematic review and meta-analysis (Ttzakis et al., 2019, published in the Journal of Dentistry) analysed pooled data from multiple studies and found a 10-year implant-level survival rate of 96.4%.

For the longest follow-up periods, a 2024 study published in Clinical Oral Investigations conducted a 20-year meta-analysis of dental implant survival rates. The retrospective studies showed a survival rate of 88% at 20 years, while a 25-year retrospective study by Frisch et al. (2020) found that implants under systematic supportive therapy maintained a survival rate of 95% over 25 years.

The Brånemark Legacy: 40+ Years of Evidence

Modern dental implants trace back to Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who placed the first titanium implant in a human patient in 1965. Follow-up studies on his original patients showed implants surviving and functioning for over 40 years. While these early-generation implants (with a turned surface) are no longer used, they proved the fundamental concept: titanium integrates with bone and can last a lifetime.

Today’s implants have improved surface treatments (such as SLA and TiUnite) that accelerate osseointegration and improve long-term stability compared to those original designs.

What Can Cause an Implant to Fail?

Implant failure falls into two categories:

Early failure (within 1–3 months):

• Failed osseointegration (implant does not bond with bone)
• Infection at the surgical site
• Insufficient bone quality or quantity
• Excessive loading before the implant has healed
• Surgical complications (overheating the bone, poor implant positioning)

Late failure (after successful integration):

• Peri-implantitis: A bacterial infection that destroys the bone around the implant. This is the leading cause of late implant failure and is similar to gum disease around natural teeth.
• Mechanical overload: Excessive biting forces, especially from grinding (bruxism), can cause bone loss around the implant.
• Fracture: Rare with modern implants but can occur, especially with narrow-diameter implants under heavy load.

Factors That Affect How Long Your Implants Last

Research consistently identifies several factors that influence implant longevity:

• Smoking: Smokers have approximately twice the implant failure rate of non-smokers. Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and bone, impairing healing and increasing peri-implantitis risk.
• Oral hygiene: Patients who maintain excellent oral hygiene have significantly better long-term outcomes. Interdental brushes and water flossers are especially effective around implants.
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c above 8%) increases failure risk. Well-controlled diabetes does not significantly affect outcomes.
• Bone quality: Implants placed in dense bone (mandible) tend to have higher success rates than those in softer bone (posterior maxilla).
• Implant brand and surface: Well-researched implant systems with modern surface treatments have the highest documented success rates.
• Surgeon experience: Studies show that experienced implant surgeons achieve higher success rates, particularly in complex cases.
• Regular maintenance: The 25-year study by Frisch et al. specifically noted that the 95% survival rate was achieved under systematic supportive implant therapy — regular professional cleanings and check-ups.

The Implant vs the Crown: Different Lifespans

It is important to distinguish between the implant (the titanium screw in the bone) and the crown (the visible tooth attached to it). The implant itself can last a lifetime. The crown, however, experiences normal wear and typically needs replacing after 10–15 years, depending on the material and location in the mouth.

Replacing the crown on an existing implant is straightforward and far simpler than the original implant surgery. It involves unscrewing the old crown, taking new impressions and fitting a new one — usually in two appointments with no surgery.

How to Maximise Your Implant’s Lifespan

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush
• Use interdental brushes or a water flosser around implants daily
• Attend professional dental cleanings every 6 months
• Stop smoking (the single most impactful change)
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
• Manage systemic conditions like diabetes
• Choose a reputable implant brand with long-term clinical data

Implants at Empire Dental Clinic

At Empire Dental Clinic in Tirana, we use internationally recognised implant systems with decades of published clinical data. Every case begins with a CBCT 3D scan for precise surgical planning, and we provide a 10-year guarantee on all implant work. For dental tourism patients, we offer comprehensive packages that include treatment, accommodation and airport transfers.

Learn more on our dental implants page, or send us your panoramic X-ray for a free assessment and personalised quote.