Longevity of Dental Implants?

At the risk of "passing the buck," it really is up to the care and time spent on maintenance. I would say offer a time range with the variable of the level of care they contribute as the X factor. So, from 10 years to forever. Again, not a real hard and fast answer, but maybe some reasoning to give to patients to explain the uncertainty.

I tell my patients that they last pretty much forever. Afterall, it is titanium, and we know that titanium doesn't get decay, rust or corrode...and once they integrate, it pretty much takes an act of god to get them out. I think that if we can't at least guarantee patients this than we shouldn't be placing implants in their jaws. What do the other clinicians think ?

How long the implants last? How long natural teeth last? If we were placing real, natural teeth, there would be the same question: " How long will they last, doc?" How long lasted the natural teeth of this very patient, who appears for implantation? Do all and every tooth (implant) lasts as long as other teeth in a mouth? Can we predict how long will last anything? And if we fail in our prediction, what will the punishment be?

I usually tell my patients that dental implants will generally last their entire lives as long as they are well maintained. These are for implants placed in ideal conditions where there is good bone and patient is relatively healthy. Prognosis is lower if patient has bone deficiency or medical condition such as diabetes.

Well, i do certainly agree with NYC Partial Dentures... it all depends on the care and time spent on maintenance. As an oral implantologist myself, I believe so much in the maintenance. i always give a realistic analogy like spending on a luxury car and you definately need to maintain them if you want it to run smoothly in years to come. However, for an implant this lasts much longer and better investment provided...care is to be taken as well.

Hi, When I got root canals, I was promised that everything would be fine after installing crowns. Only now is when I am realizing that root canals are actually not good for my health! From not being totally free of bacteria, the amalgam that might have been used to fill the cavities to the fact that the blood vessels may grow back and cause fresh pain! Will I now put implants for me to hear sometime later that they cause health problems? Am sincerely very frustrated..plus, I live in Kenya and most dentists here are quacks. They do not care much about good dental practices but only the money they siphon from us! The costs are too high and the insurance will not cover either arhhhhggg!