Modern dental implants are designed to last for many years and are often intended for life. Endosteal titanium implants are considered the gold standard due to their long-term stability and high success rate. Other types of implants are also long-lasting, but in terms of durability, endosteal implants, especially those made from titanium, are the longest-lasting.
Implant types and longevity
Endosteal implants
Endosteal implants are the most widely used implant type in the world. Endosteal implants are surgically placed in the jawbone and fulfill the function of the natural tooth root. With proper care, they can last 25 years or more. Therefore, the longest-lasting implants are endosteal implants made from titanium.
Subperiosteal implants
This type of implant is placed under the gum but above the jawbone when the bone volume is not sufficient. However, since these implants do not fuse directly with the bone, their long-term success is lower, and they are rarely preferred today.
Zygomatic implants
Zygomatic implants are longer implants designed for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. In this way, they attach to the cheekbone (zygoma). They last for many years, but the placement process is complex and not suitable for everyone. They are only applied to patients who meet certain criteria.
In summary, for the majority of patients, endosteal implant treatment is the longer-lasting method. For the implant material to be used in the treatment, titanium or zirconia is preferred.
Material comparison: Titanium vs Zirconia
The material from which implant is made has a great influence on its durability.
Titanium implants are extremely strong, corrosion-resistant, and well tolerated by the body and do not usually cause allergic reactions. For this reason, almost all dental implants are made from titanium or titanium alloys. Although clinical studies show that titanium implants can function for 20–30 years or more without any problems, they are also reported to provide lifetime use.
Zirconia implants are a new alternative to titanium implants. Their white color provides an aesthetic advantage, especially in the front teeth. They are also a safe choice for individuals with allergy risks. However, zirconia is more fragile than titanium and shows lower resistance to high forces. Therefore, although survival times may be shorter, long-term data are limited. Until sufficient data are available, the most durable and long-lasting implant material today is titanium.
As a result of this information, endosteal titanium implants are clearly the longest-lasting implants.
Key factors affecting implant longevity
The right material and treatment alone are not enough. The life of the implant also depends on the patient and certain individual factors. Dense and solid bone is necessary for the integration and stability of the implant. For this reason, high bone density prolongs its lifespan. In addition, the patient's good general health and not being a smoker also help the implant reach its ideal lifespan.
Antalya dental implant design and surface technology also play an important role. Modern implants have a special surface treatment that promotes the adhesion and growth of bone cells. This significantly increases the long-term success rate.
Brand and production quality also make a difference. Reliable brands undergo rigorous testing and offer high-quality materials. Cheap, unbranded implants may save money in the short term, but do not offer the same reliability in the long term.
Finally, it is essential that the patient takes proper care of their implants. Even the best implant can fail with poor oral hygiene. Therefore, good dental and oral care is the golden rule for prolonging the life of implants.
Evidence-Based Outcomes — What To Expect
We can examine realistic data from long-term studies: The success rate of titanium implants after 10 years is around 95–98%. In the prospective study by Jennes et al., 2015, the 10-year survival rate of titanium implants with SLA surfaces was found to be 99.7%
In addition, in a 2012 study by Buser et al., the success rate of 511 titanium implants after 10 years was 97.0%, and the survival rate was 98.8%
Even after 20 years, the success rate is usually above 85–90%. Most failures occur in the first year, usually due to healing problems or infection.
Although zirconia implants show promising results, the follow-up period is shorter, and success rates are slightly lower. In the study by Pozzi et al., 2023, the survival rate of zirconia screw implants was reported as 99.4%, and the prosthesis survival rate as 98.2%.
In the systematic review by Mohseni et al., 2023, the survival rate of zirconia implants after 10 years was found to be high, but long-term data are limited.