Living with an implant for 20+ years

How to care for it, the warning signs worth knowing, and what happens in the rare case something goes wrong.

• How to clean and maintain your dental implantAn implant can't get a cavity — but the gum and bone around it can still get sick. Here is exactly how to clean and protect your implant so it lasts decades.
• Peri-implantitis vs. mucositis: gum disease around implantsImplants can't decay, but the gum and bone around them can get infected. Here's the difference between reversible mucositis and bone-losing peri-implantitis.
• Implant warning signs worth knowingMost implants last decades without trouble. Here are the specific signs worth knowing — what's normal, what's minor, and what means you should call your dentist.
• What causes dental implants to fail?Implant failure is uncommon — success rates top 95%. Here's what actually causes the rare failures, why they happen, and how most of them are preventable.
• Can a failed implant be replaced?In most cases, yes. A failed implant can usually be replaced after the site heals — often successfully. Here's how the process works and what affects the odds.
• Teeth grinding, night guards, and your implantGrinding your teeth can quietly stress an implant over the years. Here's why implants feel force differently, and how a simple night guard protects yours.
• Do dental implants set off metal detectors or affect an MRI?No — titanium implants don't trigger airport metal detectors and are safe in an MRI. Here's the simple science of why, and the rare details worth knowing.