Foundations for Long-Term Implant Success

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-14-2026

Publication Title

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

PURPOSE: Patients receiving implant-borne prostheses require functional, esthetic, and long-term success. The importance of this review is to document with literature-based evidence, 6 core determinants that are associated with long-term success, and minimize the risks for implant failure. The objective is to provide surgeons with a list to clinically achieve that can be implemented to provide long-term functional and esthetic results. METHODS: Pubmed.gov was the information source. Years reviewed included 1990 to 2025. Inclusion criteria included only articles in journals referenced in pubmed.gov. The reports excluded were case reports and articles without a statistical analysis to generate meaningful conclusions. Data collected included outcomes of the study including statistical significance. RESULTS: The search identified articles for review using terms which included patient factors for dental implant success (n = 162), gingival thickness and dental implant success (n = 110), bone thickness and dental implant success (n = 382), alveolar onlay graft resorption over time (n = 120), alveolar onlay xenografts (n = 23), implant position and dental implant success (n = 826), and crown contour and dental implant success (n = 65). From this search, 67 articles were collated that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Literature evidence supports the need to 1) identify patient-specific comorbidities that increase the risk for failure; 2) to establish thick gingiva in the implant locations; 3) establish at least 2 mm of hard tissue facial to the implant; 4) utilize grafts that will not significantly resorb over time; 5) place the implant in the correct position to optimize soft tissue health; and 6) prepare the restoration avoiding overcontouring the crowns, using an ideal emergence and embrasures for long-term gingival health and maintenance. CONCLUSION: If the clinicians involved with the implant therapy follow the above mentioned foundations, long-term success will be optimized for the patient with limited peri-implant disease.

First Page

1

Last Page

8

PubMed ID

41786296

Rights

© 2026 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

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