An Implant is a screw (titanium or ceramic) that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a prosthesis such as a crown, bridge or denture. The implant fixture is first placed so that it is likely to osseointegrate (a form of an intimate bond to bone), then the final prosthetic is added. Temporary prosthetic can also be added while awaiting the osseointegration process to finish which might last between 3-6 months. Success rate of implants is relatively high (~95%) but all depend on the medical & the dental health of the person receiving the treatment.
Once the implants and surrounding soft tissues are seen to be healthy and the new teeth comfortable and correctly adjusted, it is the quality of your home care and willingness to present for regular maintenance reviews that will have most influence on how long your implants will last. Well-maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years. You would expect conventional crowns, bridges and fillings to need occasional repairs or replacements during their lifetime. implant-supported teeth will have similar maintenance requirements.
