Can dental implants last a lifetime? A full analysis of their lifespan

Case: 47 years old, has diabetes. Dental implant for two years, now loose for about two months.The dental implant is loose - does this mean the implant failed?

According to one of the success criteria for dental implants proposed by Chinese experts at a discussion in Zhuhai in 1995: "The dental implant shows no clinical mobility while performing its denture function," meaning the implant does not become loose when the patient bites down, so this patient's implant has likely failed.

Is the success rate of dental implants high?

The current 10-year success rate of dental implants can reach over 90%, and the 5-year success rate is over 95%. Moreover, since dental implants began being performed in the late 1970s up to now, the longest-lasting patient has already used them for more than 40 years. So in fact, dental implants can be regarded as a permanent restoration; if the patient can use them healthily, they may last a lifetime.

Does diabetes affect dental implantation?

The cause of the patient's loose dental implant is thought to be inflammation around the implant, leading to bone resorption, meaning the alveolar bone beneath has atrophied. Without a foundation, the implant cannot be well fixed and will become loose and fall out. The main factors causing inflammation and bone resorption are as follows: periodontal disease; inflammation of the alveolar bone; unhealthy gums; poor position or direction of the dental implant; smoking; high blood sugar.

For the patient, exactly which causes led to the dental implant falling out still requires further examination to confirm. Although diabetes is one of the risk factors for dental implant failure, if blood sugar is controlled normally, it does not affect dental implant treatment.

Dr. Shan Xiaofeng is an associate chief physician, associate professor, and master's supervisor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. He serves as a youth committee member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association, a youth committee member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Professional Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association, and a youth committee member of the Head and Neck Tumor Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association. He traveled to the United States in 2012 and 2015 for exchange and study in dental implant treatment and maxillofacial head and neck surgery.

What questions can be asked to Dr. Shan Xiaofeng

Dental implantation, maxillofacial tumors, maxillofacial defect repair and reconstruction, tooth extraction (see other patients' questions and answers)

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