What the research shows
| 5 years | 10 years | |
|---|---|---|
| Implants holding single crowns | About 97% still in place | About 95% |
| Single crowns on implants | About 96% | About 89% |
| Implants holding bridges | About 95% | About 93% |
| Bridges on implants | 95% | About 87% |
The implant itself usually outlasts what’s on top of it. When a crown or bridge “fails” in these studies, it’s often a chipped porcelain, a loose screw or a crown that needed remaking, while the implant underneath is still sound.
What makes implants last
- Daily cleaning around and under the implant. See implant care.
- Check-ups and professional cleaning, usually every six months.
- Not smoking. Smoking raises the risk of implant failure and gum problems.
- Healthy gums. Gum disease elsewhere in the mouth should be treated first.
- Good planning. The right number, size and position of implants, from a 3D scan.
- Protecting against grinding with a night guard.
- Controlled diabetes.
Signs something needs attention
- Bleeding, swelling or pus around the implant
- The crown feeling loose or clicking
- Pain on biting
- A change in how your teeth meet
Most of these are fixable if they’re seen early.
At Petal Smiles
Prosthodontist Dr. Adish Chaudhary and our implantologist plan implants from a 3D scan, and our periodontist helps keep the gums around them healthy. See dental implants and the implant cost guide.
Questions patients ask us
Do dental implants last forever?
No one can promise forever, but many implants last for decades. The crown, bridge or denture on top usually needs renewing at some point.
Can dental implants go bad?
Yes. The most common long-term problem is peri-implantitis, inflammation of the gum and bone around the implant caused by plaque. Loose screws and chipped crowns also happen and are usually easy to fix.
How long does the crown on an implant last?
Commonly 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer. It can be replaced without removing the implant.
Do implants last longer than bridges?
Ten-year survival in research is similar, about nine in ten for both. Implants avoid the decay that can affect teeth holding a bridge.
Do implants last as long in older people?
Age itself isn't a major factor. General health, bone quality, cleaning and smoking matter more.
Sources
Jung et al., survival of implant-supported single crowns: systematic review, Clin Oral Implants Res, 2012 ↗Pjetursson et al., survival of implant-supported fixed partial dentures: systematic review, Clin Oral Implants Res, 2004 ↗ADA MouthHealthy: dental implants ↗Last updated 14 October 2026.