· Kensington Dental Care
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With good care, the implant itself can last a lifetime — though the crown on top usually needs replacing sooner.
Dental implants are designed as a long-term, often lifelong solution for a missing tooth — but “lifelong” depends on which part of the implant you’re asking about.
The implant post itself
The titanium post that replaces the tooth root fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Once that’s healed and stable, the post itself can last decades, often for the rest of your life, with good oral hygiene and regular checkups.
The crown on top
The visible crown attached to the implant post typically has a shorter lifespan — generally 10 to 15 years — before normal wear means it needs replacing. This is similar to how a crown on a natural tooth eventually needs replacement too.
Add a real photo here — see IMAGES.md
What affects longevity
- Oral hygiene — implants can still develop gum disease around them (peri-implantitis) if not cleaned properly
- Grinding or clenching — puts extra stress on the crown and connecting components
- Regular checkups — let us catch small issues (a loosening screw, minor gum inflammation) before they become bigger problems
- Smoking — significantly increases the risk of implant failure
The bottom line
With good habits and regular care, most patients get many years of reliable use from an implant, with the crown being the part most likely to need attention down the line.
Considering an implant, or have one that needs a checkup? Book an appointment with our team.
For more on this, see our restoration dentistry page.