Dental implants have now become extremely popular, but there is always some ambiguity in the minds of users with regard to the number of visits to the dentist, the cost and the associated discomfort of the procedure. One of the most common questions is how long do dental implants last?

Teeth implants are not considered to be lifetime solutions, and they often need to be re-adjusted generally within the first six months (the period of bone healing) of the procedure. After this there are fewer problems and bite adjustments take care of any minor misalignments.

Based on the various documented cases there is a 95% chance of success with regard to natural bone in a dental implant, while with grafted bone the success rate falls to between 85 and 95%. The area where the implant has been placed also is a determining factor in the success rate.

The vast majority of failure instances in which a dental implant does not integrate together with the bone causing it to be rejected by the body. The reason for rejection is unknown and it can happen in approximately 5% of implants. The reason why bone refuses to integrate with the titanium implants as well as exactly why the body rejects implant as a 'foreign body' is not known by the dental and medical establishments. Numerous hypotheses have been presented during the last fifty years. A current theory proposes that instead of an active biological response of the tissue, the integration of bone matter with the implant is due to the absence of a negative response of the immune system. This means that for unidentified causes the normal reaction of the body’s immune system to reject a foreign object fails to function properly with the implant. It has also recently been suggested that a rejection happens in individuals whose bone tissues react as they should with a 'foreign body'. This causes the rejection of the tooth implant very much the same way which would happen normally with any other similar foreign bodies.

Smokers have a greater chance of encountering implant failures, so the longevity and success of your implant is, to a certain extent, also dependent on your oral hygiene. Visiting the dentist periodically and checking the implant radio-graphically and clinically is another step to ensuring success.

Much of the success or failure of a bone transplant depends on the bone structure. Implants requiring grafted bone have more uncertainties associated with them, since the natural bone structure is not sufficiently developed.

Teeth implants aren’t a permanent solution to replacing missing teeth. Results vary depending on the physical structure of the individual’s bone. Most dental patients have absolutely no issues with their implants and some implants have lasted for more than 20 years. But a small proportion of patients have experienced problems. Such failures can generally be avoided if you take good care of your implants by maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist periodically. Permanence of dental implants can’t be guaranteed, although the chances are that they will last for around 15 years.

Implant dentistry is a highly researched and developed sphere of dentistry, and is also one of the most reliable. There is a great chance your dental implants could last for many years, giving you trouble free service.