Last updated: September 2026
It is a reasonable question and one that comes up at nearly every implant consultation. You are committing to surgery, months of healing and a meaningful cost. You want to know what you are getting for that.
The short answer is that the titanium fixture, the post that sits in the jawbone, can last decades and often a lifetime. But an implant is not one piece. The crown on top wears out sooner. And how long either component lasts depends on things that are partly in your control and partly not.
An implant is really three components: the fixture (the titanium post in the bone), the abutment (the connector), and the crown (the visible tooth). Most people think of the whole assembly as "the implant," but when we talk about longevity, the fixture and the crown need to be discussed separately.
That distinction matters because replacing a worn crown is straightforward if the fixture underneath is sound. It does not mean starting the whole process again.
The fixture is embedded in bone, so what threatens it is anything that threatens the bone around it.
This is the implant equivalent of gum disease. Bacteria accumulate around the implant-gum junction, the tissue becomes inflamed, and if left unchecked, the bone supporting the fixture starts to recede. Once enough bone is lost, the implant loosens. This is the single most common reason implants fail after initial integration.
It is preventable with the same habits that prevent gum disease around natural teeth: thorough brushing, interdental cleaning, and regular professional cleans where your dentist or hygienist checks the tissue specifically around the implant site.
Natural teeth have a periodontal ligament that acts as a shock absorber. Implants do not. They are rigid in the bone. If you grind or clench, the forces transmitted to the bone and the crown are higher and more abrupt than they would be with a natural tooth. Over years, that can cause bone loss around the fixture or fracture the crown. A night splint is a straightforward solution if grinding is an issue, and we can make one at the practice.
Smoking restricts blood flow to the gums and slows healing. It increases the risk of peri-implantitis and reduces the long-term survival rate of the fixture. This is not a disqualification from having an implant, but it is a factor your dentist will discuss honestly with you.
Conditions that affect bone healing, particularly uncontrolled diabetes, can compromise how well the bone integrates with the fixture and how well it holds up over time. Well-managed diabetes is a different situation from poorly controlled diabetes.
The crown is a manufactured object doing mechanical work. The variables are:
An implant that lasts three decades and one that fails at seven often comes down to maintenance rather than the surgery itself.
If the crown chips or wears after ten to fifteen years, it can be replaced without touching the fixture. This is a restorative appointment, not surgery.
If the fixture itself has lost bone support and become loose, the situation is different. The implant may need to be removed, the site allowed to heal, and potentially a new implant placed if bone allows. This is uncommon when maintenance has been consistent, but it does happen.
Signs that something needs attention: persistent soreness around the implant, gum recession exposing metal, the crown feeling loose, or bleeding when you brush around the site. None of these should be ignored.
A significant proportion of the population along the Maroondah corridor is approaching or past retirement. In the 2021 Census, around 18 per cent of Croydon residents were aged 60 or over, and the surrounding suburbs of Ringwood, Mooroolbark and Kilsyth have similar profiles. Many of these residents had implants placed five, ten or fifteen years ago and are now in the maintenance phase.
The question for them is not "should I get an implant" but "how do I keep the one I have." The answer is unglamorous: regular cleans, honest communication with your dentist about any changes around the site, and a night splint if grinding has developed or worsened with age.
For residents considering their first implant later in life, age alone is not a barrier. Bone quality matters more than the number on a birthday. We assess that with a cone beam CT scan, which is on site at Wicklow Ave, so the imaging and the consultation happen in the same appointment without a separate trip to a radiology clinic in Ringwood or further afield.
Whether you are considering a new implant or want to check the health of one you already have, the process starts with imaging and a clinical assessment. Our dental implants page covers the treatment itself, and our comparison of implants and dentures is worth reading if you are still weighing options.
Call (03) 9725 8040 or book online. We are at 59 Wicklow Ave, Croydon, a short walk from Croydon station on the Lilydale line, with Saturday appointments available.
This article is general information about dental implant longevity and is not personal dental advice. Outcomes depend on individual clinical circumstances. Your dentist will assess your specific situation.