The implant post in your jaw does not need to be replaced on a schedule. In a large 2019 review, 96.4 percent of implants were still in place after 10 years (93.2 percent in a stricter re-analysis). The crown on top wears faster. Most crowns should last at least 5 years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years. Gum infection around the implant, smoking and diabetes raise the risk of failure.
What are the parts of a dental implant?
A dental implant has three parts, and each one wears differently:
- The implant post. A small post placed in the jawbone that acts as a new tooth root.
- The abutment. A small connector attached to the top of the post. It holds the tooth.
- The crown (or bridge or denture). The part you see and chew with. It is screwed or cemented onto the abutment.
When people ask whether an implant needs to be replaced, the answer is different for each part. In one review, crowns needed replacing more often than the implants under them.
How long does the implant post last?
In the research, the large majority of implant posts are still in place 10 years after they were placed. A 2019 review of studies that followed implants for 10 years found a survival rate of 96.4 percent. When the authors re-ran the numbers using only the strongest studies, the figure was 93.2 percent. A 2012 review of implants holding single crowns found 95.2 percent were still in place at 10 years.
The American Academy of Periodontology says good home care and regular dental visits help keep an implant healthy. How long yours lasts depends on your gums, your bone, your general health and how you care for it. No dentist can promise how long a particular implant will last.
How long does the crown on an implant last?
The crown is more likely than the post to need attention. In the 2012 review, 89.4 percent of crowns on implants were still in use after 10 years. For crowns in general, MedlinePlus says most crowns should last at least 5 years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years.
Some problems need a repair rather than a new crown. Over 5 years, the same review found that 8.8 percent of implant crowns had a screw come loose and 3.5 percent had the porcelain chip or crack. A loose screw can be tightened, and a chipped or worn crown can be replaced without touching the implant post. Your dentist checks which part is affected.
Implant post vs crown: how do they compare?
| Option | Implant post | Crown on the implant |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A post in the jawbone | The visible tooth, attached to the post by an abutment |
| How long it lasts in studies | 96.4 percent in place after 10 years (93.2 percent in a stricter analysis) | 89.4 percent of implant crowns still in use after 10 years; most crowns should last at least 5 years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years |
| What can go wrong | Gum and bone infection around the implant (peri-implantitis) | A loose screw, chipped porcelain, wear from chewing or grinding |
| What fixing it involves | Treating the infection; sometimes removing the implant | Tightening the screw, repairing or replacing the crown |
| How to protect it | Brush, floss, regular checkups, no smoking | Same daily care; avoid chewing ice and hard candy; a night guard if you grind |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
What makes a dental implant fail?
Implant failure is linked to infection around the implant and to some health factors. The main risks are:
- Peri-implant disease. This is gum disease around an implant. In the early stage, called peri-implant mucositis, only the gum is inflamed and it can be reversed if caught early. In peri-implantitis, the bone that holds the implant breaks down, and treatment is usually surgical.
- Smoking. In a review of many studies, implants in smokers had about 2.4 times the odds of failure compared with non-smokers.
- Diabetes. A 2022 review found implants in people with diabetes had a 77.7 percent higher risk of failure.
- Past gum disease and plaque build-up. The American Academy of Periodontology lists a history of gum disease and poor plaque control as risk factors for peri-implant disease.
- Grinding and clenching. Grinding can chip or crack crowns. A night guard may help.
How can you help your implant last longer?
Implants need the same daily care as natural teeth, plus regular checkups. Here is what helps:
- Brush twice a day.
- Floss once a day, or use the floss or small brushes your hygienist shows you for cleaning around the implant.
- Keep your checkups. Your dentist and hygienist check the gum and bone around the implant so problems are found early.
- Do not smoke. Smoking raises the risk of implant failure.
- Protect the crown. Avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth.
When should you see a dentist about your implant?
Call your dentist if you notice any of these:
- Red or tender gums around the implant, or bleeding when you brush
- A crown that feels loose, moves or clicks when you bite
- A chipped or cracked crown
- Pain, a bad taste or pus near the implant
- A change in how your teeth fit together
These do not always mean the implant has failed. The cause can be the crown, the screw or the gum, and finding it early gives you more options.
An exam and X-rays show which part is affected. Your dentist explains what they find and what fixing it involves. Dr. Bryan Kreeb completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) and trained with the Garg Implant Continuum. If you are thinking about an implant for the first time, our dental implants page explains who is a candidate, the steps and what drives the cost.
