Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryHow long does a dental implant last, according to studies?What helps a dental implant last longer?FAQRead nextDo Dental Implants Last a Lifetime? What Studies Show
Book your dental implants assessment on WhatsAppPrefer not to wait for a reply? Book online now, no phone call needed: see the open times and pick yours, any time (booking page in Portuguese).
Quick summary of this article+
A dental implant can last many decades, but a lifetime isn't guaranteed. Studies that followed patients for 20 years or more found about 93% of implants still functioning; 10-year reviews show figures in the same range. The post inside the bone is the most durable part; the crown may chip, come loose or need replacing over the years, and the screw may loosen, which is expected maintenance. The biggest threat to an implant is peri-implantitis, plaque-driven inflammation that leads to bone loss. Daily hygiene, regular checkups, diabetes control, quitting smoking and a night guard for bruxism improve the odds of it lasting. Bleeding, swelling, pus or a moving crown call for an assessment. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Do dental implants last a lifetime? They can last many decades, and for many people they do, but no one can guarantee they'll last forever. Studies that followed patients for 20 years or more show that the vast majority of implants are still functioning after that time. What usually needs replacing sooner is the crown, the 'tooth' on top; and the biggest threat to the implant itself is inflammation of the gum and bone around it, called peri-implantitis.
In clinical practice, many patients arrive with the idea that an implant is a solution so you 'never have to think about it again'. A more realistic expectation is different: an implant is a very durable replacement, but it depends on care similar to that of a natural tooth — brushing, flossing, checkups — and on health conditions that change over a lifetime.
Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist in Mooca who works with oral rehabilitation and dental implants, explains below what long-term studies show, which parts of an implant wear out and what raises or lowers the chance that it will last.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
How long does a dental implant last, according to studies?
Long-term studies show that most dental implants remain functional for 10, 15 and even 20 years or more. A systematic review published in 2026, which pooled prospective studies with at least 20 years of follow-up, found about 93% of implants still in use at the end of that period. Reviews with 10 years of follow-up report figures in the same range, above nine out of ten implants.
These figures are averages across groups of patients, not an individual promise. They include people with very different health and habits, and many studies were done at university centers with regular follow-up. In real life, each person's outcome depends on bone conditions, overall health, the quality of planning, daily hygiene and how often they have checkups.
It also helps to understand that an implant has three parts. The implant itself is a post, usually titanium, that sits inside the bone and acts as the root. On top of it goes the abutment, a connecting piece. And above that sits the crown, the visible part, made of porcelain, zirconia or another material. When people talk about 'lasting a lifetime', they usually mean the post — and that's the part with the greatest longevity.
The crown is the part that wears the most, because it takes chewing forces every day. It can chip, come loose, lose its shine or need replacing for cosmetic reasons after many years, without anything being wrong with the implant underneath. The screw holding the crown or abutment can also loosen and need retightening. This maintenance is expected and doesn't mean the implant failed.
What truly puts an implant at risk is loss of the bone around it. The most common cause is peri-implantitis, an inflammation caused by plaque buildup, similar to the gum disease that makes natural teeth loosen. It can progress without pain for a long time, which is why regular checkups are just as important as well-done surgery.
| Part | What usually happens over time | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Implant (post in the bone) | The most durable part; the risk is bone loss from peri-implantitis | Hygiene, checkups, not smoking, controlling diabetes |
| Abutment and screw | The screw can loosen under biting force | Bite adjustment, night guard if there's bruxism |
| Crown | Can chip, wear, lose its shine or need replacing | Avoid biting hard objects, regular checkups |
| Surrounding gum and bone | Can become inflamed and recede if plaque builds up | Toothbrush, floss or interdental brush, and professional cleaning |
What helps a dental implant last longer?
What helps a dental implant last most is the combination of good daily hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist. Carefully brushing where the crown meets the gum and using floss, a floss threader or an interdental brush removes the plaque that causes peri-implantitis. At checkups, the dentist evaluates the gums, the stability of the crown and, when indicated, orders imaging to monitor the bone.
Some health factors and habits raise the risk of problems over the years: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, a history of gum disease and teeth grinding (bruxism). None of these automatically rules out an implant — they call for closer planning and follow-up. Quitting smoking and keeping your overall health in check make a real difference for the implant.
Planning also matters in the long run. The implant's position in the bone, the amount and quality of available bone, the thickness of the surrounding gum and the design of the crown influence how the bite is distributed and how easy the area is to clean. A well-positioned implant and a crown shaped to allow hygiene tend to need simpler maintenance.
Watch for signs that call for an assessment before your next checkup: bleeding from the gum around the implant, swelling, pus, a bad taste in your mouth, gum pulling back to show metal, pain when chewing or the feeling that the crown is moving. A loose crown is usually simple maintenance; a mobile implant is a different situation and needs to be seen promptly.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and provides regular follow-up for people with implants, regardless of where the implant was placed. The honest answer to 'does it last a lifetime?' is that it can last a very long time — and the chance of that goes up considerably when care doesn't stop after surgery.
Are dental implants permanent?
+
There's no guarantee they're forever, but they can last many decades. Studies with 20 or more years of follow-up show that the vast majority of implants are still functioning. Durability depends on hygiene, checkups, overall health and habits like smoking and teeth grinding.
How many years does a dental implant last?
+
There's no fixed timeframe. Reviews of scientific studies show more than nine out of ten implants still in use after 10 years, and about 93% in studies with at least 20 years of follow-up. Many last longer than that. The crown on top, however, may need replacing before the implant does.
Which lasts less: the implant or the crown?
+
Generally, the crown. It takes chewing forces every day and can chip, wear, come loose or lose its shine over the years. Replacing the crown doesn't mean replacing the implant: the post in the bone stays put, and a new crown is made on top of it when needed.
What can make a dental implant fail?
+
The most common long-term cause is peri-implantitis, inflammation of the gum and bone around the implant caused by plaque, which leads to bone loss. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, a history of gum disease, bruxism and skipping checkups raise the risk. In the early phase, failure can happen when the implant doesn't integrate with the bone.
Do dental implants need maintenance?
+
Yes. They need thorough daily hygiene, with a toothbrush, floss or an interdental brush, and regular checkups with your dentist, who checks the gums, the crown and the screw and, when indicated, orders imaging. How often you need checkups is decided case by case.
Can smokers lose their implant?
+
Smoking raises the risk of failure and peri-implantitis, because it impairs circulation and healing of the gums and bone. It doesn't mean every smoker will lose their implant, but the risk is higher. Quitting, or at least cutting back, is one of the most helpful things you can do to help an implant last.
Can an implant last longer than a natural tooth?
+
It depends on the tooth and the person. An implant can't get cavities, but it can develop peri-implantitis. A healthy, well-cared-for natural tooth can also last a lifetime. That's why the priority is always to try to save the tooth when possible, and to use an implant when the tooth has already been lost or can't be kept.
My implant crown came loose: is the implant ruined?
+
Most of the time, no. A loose crown is usually a screw that loosened or cement that gave way, and the fix can be simple. Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side and book an assessment. It's different when the whole implant moves along with the crown: that indicates bone loss and needs to be seen promptly.
What signs show that an implant has a problem?
+
Bleeding from the gum around the implant, swelling, pus, a bad taste in your mouth, gum pulling back to show metal, pain when chewing and the feeling that the crown or implant is moving. These signs call for an assessment before your next checkup, because peri-implantitis treated early has a better chance of being controlled.
Does diabetes affect how long an implant lasts?
+
Uncontrolled diabetes raises the risk of healing problems and peri-implantitis. With blood sugar under control and medical follow-up, many people with diabetes have implants that work well for many years. Managing the condition is part of caring for the implant, before and after surgery.
Can an implant placed many years ago still be treated?
+
Yes. Older implants can get a new crown, a screw replacement, treatment for early peri-implantitis and follow-up. The first step is an assessment with a clinical exam and, if needed, an X-ray, to check the condition of the bone and gum around the implant.
Can people who grind their teeth lose an implant?
+
Bruxism increases the force on the implant and crown, which can cause chipping, loosened screws and, over time, overload on the bone. It doesn't rule out an implant, but it calls for bite planning and, usually, a night guard, plus closer checkups.
Where can I get a dental implant checkup in Mooca?
+
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) assesses and follows up on dental implants, including those placed elsewhere. The office is at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, near Bresser-Mooca station (Metro Line 3-Red), and is open Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., via WhatsApp (11) 97409-7834. She sees patients in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
