By Dr. Joseph D. Lim
Dental implants last.
And for several decades, according to a new study conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and published in the scientific journal Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone where it integrates and becomes stable. A crown is then attached to the implant.
Dental implants used to replace single teeth continue to function well after several decades, even after nearly 40 years, according to the study conducted by Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark at the Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Service Västra Götaland.
Dr. Brånemark is a professor at the University of Gothenburg. His study is the longest follow-up of single dental implants in the world, based on a small group of patients who received single implants to replace missing teeth between 1982 and 1985.
The study found all examined implants were still in place and fully functional even after four decades. It shows how bone integrates with titanium implants has enabled millions of patients to replace lost teeth with a reliable and long-lasting solution.
The study included 16 patients who received implants during the study period and 13 patients who had a total of 18 implants who participated in the follow-up.
“It is impressive that the single implants function so well after such a long time,” says Sargon Barkarmo, prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg.
“Even though the study included a small number of patients, the results show that the implants remain in place and that the bone loss around them is virtually unchanged after 40 years.”
The crowns placed on the implants had a shorter lifespan than the implants themselves. At the 40-year follow-up, only about 60 percent of the original crowns remained, with many having been replaced one or more times, according to a press statement issued by the University of Gothenburg.
“The study shows that the crowns were mostly replaced for esthetic reasons rather than technical failures,” says Jan Kowar, prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg, and co-author of the study.
“In the future, implant treatments could be further improved with the development of new crown materials.”
The researchers point out that while older implant systems are highly effective, they are no longer available on the market. This is due to the continuous introduction of new systems that quickly replace older ones, despite their proven long-term success.
The study concludes that implants placed using well-planned surgical techniques and given sufficient healing time have an excellent long-term prognosis.
“Today, methods that accelerate treatment and healing are commonly used,” says Barkarmo, the senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg.
“These approaches also need long-term follow-ups and careful evaluation to ensure equally good results over time.”
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ