How long does a dental implant last?

Once the implant has osteointegrated, it can be lost in the long-term usually as a result of infection. If bacterial plaque and tartar get under the gum the patient can experience a condition called periimplantitis, which results in the loss of the bone that supports the implant. If this loss of bone is not detected in a timely manner and treated as appropriate, the implant can lose all of the bone and it may need to be removed. Periimplantitis is more common in patients who have had periodontitis, who smoke and, above all, do not brush correctly.