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How Long Does Dental Work Last?

Pick a filling, crown, bridge, implant, veneer, denture or other dental work. See how much of it was still in place after 5, 10 or more years in published studies, and where yours stands for its age.

Example shown: a glass-ceramic crown from 2019. Pick your own dental work.

Not sure? Your dentist's records or treatment plan will say, or choose "Not sure" to see them all.

Just the year. It stays on this device.

Keep track of all your fillings, crowns and other work in one list below.

Crowns

Published survival

The published figures

Published survival figures for the selected dental work
AfterShareWhat was studiedSource

What can shorten its life

    Signs worth a dental check

      These don't mean something has failed. They're reasons to have your dentist take a look.

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      How this tool works

      The tool doesn't predict how long your own dental work will last. It gathers what large reviews and studies found and shows the results side by side.

      1. Kind and material. Each choice pulls the published figures for it. "Not sure" shows every material.
      2. Checkpoints. Studies report the share still in place after a set time, most often 5 or 10 years. When several studies report the same checkpoint, you see the range from lowest to highest.
      3. Your year. If you add the year it was placed, the tool works out its age (this year minus that year) and shows which checkpoints it has passed. Nothing is projected past the longest study.

      Honest limits:

      • "Still in place" and "needed no more work" are different. Large UK record studies count any further treatment on the tooth as the end, so their numbers look lower (Burke 2009; Lucarotti 2005). The tool keeps them apart.
      • A few figures are worked back from a yearly failure rate: share still in place = (1 − yearly rate) raised to the number of years. The table marks these.
      • Most studies come from university clinics or careful practices. The figures are averages across many people. Your cavity risk, habits and checkups matter more than any average.

      How long do fillings last? White vs silver

      Most fillings last many years, and silver ones tend to last a little longer. A review of 2,816 white (composite) fillings in back teeth found yearly failure rates of 1.8% by 5 years and 2.4% by 10 years (Opdam 2014). That works out to about 91% still in place at 5 years and 78% at 10. In a trial in children, 94.4% of amalgam and 85.5% of composite fillings survived up to 7 years (Bernardo 2007). A Cochrane review found composite fillings had almost double the risk of failing, mostly from new decay at the edges. Composites have improved since those trials (Worthington 2021).

      Glass ionomer fillings tend to need work sooner. In UK records, 38% needed no more work after 10 years, compared with 58% of one-surface amalgam fillings (Lucarotti 2005). Bigger fillings of every type tend to fail sooner (Burke 2018), and a high cavity risk shortens the life of composite fillings (Opdam 2014).

      How long do crowns last? By material

      Across materials, 90.4% to 98.5% of crowns were still in place after 5 years in a 2026 review of more than 11,000 crowns (Pjetursson 2026).

      Crown materialStill in place after 5 years
      One-piece lithium disilicate98.5%
      Layered zirconia97.3%
      Metal-ceramic (porcelain fused to metal)97.1% (94.7% in Sailer 2015)
      One-piece zirconia96.8%
      Layered glass-ceramic95.7%
      Feldspathic porcelain90.4%

      One-piece (monolithic) crowns chipped less than layered ones. Ten-year data is scarcer. For lithium disilicate crowns, 96.7% were in place at 10 years, mostly from one study (Pieger 2014). Gold and other all-metal crowns have no recent review of their own. In UK records of 47,474 crowns, they went longest before needing any more work: 68% at 10 years, compared with 48% of all-porcelain crowns (Burke 2009).

      How long do veneers last?

      About 92% to 96% of porcelain veneers are still in place after 5 years (Layton 2012; Layton 2013). At 10 years, studies range from 64% to 95%, and long-term data is sparse. One clinic followed 318 porcelain veneers for 20 years and found 82.9% still in place (Beier 2012). In that study, people who grind or clench had 7.7 times the risk of failure.

      Composite veneers wear and stain more, but they're easier to fix (ADA MouthHealthy). In one practice's records of 1,459 veneers, about 66% of composite veneers lasted 10 years, compared with about 89% of ceramic ones, worked out from the yearly failure rates (Mazzetti 2022).

      How long does bonding last?

      Bonding on front teeth often lasts many years, but results vary widely. A review of 17 studies found yearly failure rates from 0% to 4.1%, and survival from 53.4% to 100% (Demarco 2015). In one practice, 69% of front-tooth composite was still in place after 15 years, and repairs kept much of it going (van de Sande 2019). Bonding that rebuilds a corner or an edge tends to fail sooner than small fillings between teeth (Demarco 2015; Lucarotti 2005).

      How long do bridges last?

      About 9 in 10 regular bridges are still in place after 10 years: 89.1% in one review (Tan 2004). At 15 years, a review of 4,118 bridges found 74% (Creugers 1994). At 5 years, metal-ceramic bridges did best at 94.4%, ahead of zirconia (90.4%) and glass-ceramic (89.1%) (Pjetursson 2015). The usual problems are decay and nerve problems in the teeth that hold the bridge (Pjetursson 2007).

      Resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges: 91.4% were in place at 5 years and 82.9% at 10 years. Coming unglued was the most common problem (Thoma 2017). To compare the lifetime cost of a bridge, an implant and a partial denture, try the Tooth Replacement Cost Comparison.

      How long do implants and root canal teeth last?

      Implants: 96.4% are still in place at 10 years (Howe 2019). The crown on top needs work more often, with 89.4% in place at 10 years (Jung 2012). Implants failed about twice as often in smokers, 6.35% compared with 3.18% (Chrcanovic 2015). The Dental Implant Timeline shows the steps from start to finish.

      Root canal-treated teeth: 87% are still in the mouth after 8 to 10 years. A crown after the root canal was the factor most strongly linked with keeping the tooth (Ng 2010).

      How long do dentures last?

      Full dentures lasted about 10 years on average in a review of 42 studies: 10.3 years for uppers and 8.6 for lowers (Taylor 2021). About 88% were still in use at 5 to 6 years and 59% at 10 years or more. For partial dentures, 75% were still worn at 5 years and 50% at 10 (Vermeulen 1996). The jaw bone shrinks after teeth are removed, so dentures loosen over time. The American College of Prosthodontists advises a yearly check and notes that dentures often need remaking when they lose their fit, after 5 to 10 years of use.

      How long does whitening last?

      Whitening isn't permanent. A review of at-home whitening found the shade usually stays stable for 1 to 2.5 years (Fioresta 2023). In small long-term studies of tray whitening, 82% of people still saw the effect after about 4 years and 43% after about 10 (Leonard 2001; Ritter 2002). Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco stain teeth, and whitening doesn't change crowns, veneers or fillings (ADA MouthHealthy). To compare product strengths, see Teeth Whitening Strength.

      Frequently asked questions

      How long does a dental crown last?
      Most crowns last well past 5 years. Across materials, 90.4–98.5% of crowns were still in place after 5 years in a 2026 review of more than 11,000 crowns (Pjetursson 2026). Ten-year data is thinner: in UK records, 68% of all-metal crowns needed no more work of any kind for 10 years (Burke 2009). Pick your crown's material in the tool to see its figures.
      Do white fillings last as long as silver fillings?
      Not quite, in trials. A Cochrane review found composite (white) fillings had almost double the risk of failing compared with amalgam, mostly from new decay at the edges (Worthington 2021). In one 7-year trial, 94.4% of amalgam and 85.5% of composite fillings survived (Bernardo 2007). Composites have improved since those trials were done.
      How long do porcelain veneers last?
      About 92–96% are still in place after 5 years (Layton 2012; Layton 2013). At 10 years, studies range from 64% to 95%. One clinic followed porcelain veneers for 20 years and found 82.9% still in place (Beier 2012). Composite veneers don't last as long: about 66% at 10 years in one practice's records, worked out from its yearly failure rate (Mazzetti 2022).
      How long does teeth whitening last?
      Usually 1 to 2.5 years before the color starts to slip back, according to a review of at-home whitening (Fioresta 2023). In small long-term studies, 82% of people still saw the effect after about 4 years and 43% after about 10 (Leonard 2001; Ritter 2002). Whitening doesn't change crowns, veneers or fillings (ADA MouthHealthy).
      How long do dentures last?
      Full dentures lasted about 10 years on average in a review of 42 studies, a bit less for lower dentures (Taylor 2021). Half of partial dentures had been replaced or were no longer worn after 10 years (Vermeulen 1996). The American College of Prosthodontists advises a yearly check, and dentures often need remaking when they lose their fit, after 5 to 10 years of use.
      Should I replace a filling or crown just because it's old?
      Not because of age alone. The ADA says amalgam fillings in good condition don't need to be removed. Survival figures describe large groups, not your tooth. Your dentist checks each filling, crown and implant at regular visits, and pain, swelling or bleeding gums are reasons to go sooner (ADA MouthHealthy).

      Sources

      1. Opdam NJ, van de Sande FH, Bronkhorst E, et al. Journal of Dental Research 93(10):943–949. Longevity of posterior composite restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2014. Yearly failure rates (1.8% at 5 years, 2.4% at 10 years; 3.2% and 4.6% at high caries risk) are in Table 3 of the full text (PMC4293707). Accessed October 26, 2026.
      2. Bernardo M, Luis H, Martin MD, et al. Journal of the American Dental Association 138(6):775–783. Survival and reasons for failure of amalgam versus composite posterior restorations placed in a randomized clinical trial. 2007. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      3. Worthington HV, Khangura S, Seal K, et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 8:CD005620. Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent posterior teeth. 2021. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      4. Lucarotti PS, Holder RL, Burke FJ. Journal of Dentistry 33(10):805–815. Outcome of direct restorations placed within the general dental services in England and Wales (Part 1): variation by type of restoration and re-intervention. 2005. PubMed abstract checked. Outcome: no further treatment of any kind on the tooth. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      5. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Dental Amalgam. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      6. de Amorim RG, Frencken JE, Raggio DP, Chen X, Hu X, Leal SC. Clinical Oral Investigations 22(8):2703–2725. Survival percentages of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations and sealants in posterior teeth: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. 2018. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      7. Peumans M, De Munck J, Mine A, Van Meerbeek B. Dental Materials 30(10):1089–1103. Clinical effectiveness of contemporary adhesives for the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions. A systematic review. 2014. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      8. National Elf Service (Richards D). Review suggests that caries risk and number of restored surfaces impact on posterior composite survival rates. July 28, 2014. Summary of Opdam 2014. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      9. Burke FJT, Lucarotti PSK. British Dental Journal 225(11):1011–1018. The ultimate guide to restoration longevity in England and Wales. Part 10: key findings from a ten million restoration dataset. 2018. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      10. Sailer I, Makarov NA, Thoma DS, Zwahlen M, Pjetursson BE. Dental Materials 31(6):603–623. All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part I: Single crowns (SCs). 2015. PubMed abstract checked. A 2016 correction exists (Dent Mater 32(12):e389–e390). Accessed October 26, 2026.
      11. Pjetursson BE, Pitta J, Balet A, Bjarnadottir GR, Sailer I, Romandini P. International Journal of Prosthodontics 39(3):308–324. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Evaluating the Survival, Failure, and Complication Rates of Metal-Ceramic, Veneered, and Monolithic All-Ceramic Tooth-Supported Single Crowns-Part 1. 2026. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      12. Pieger S, Salman A, Bidra AS. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 112(1):22–30. Clinical outcomes of lithium disilicate single crowns and partial fixed dental prostheses: a systematic review. 2014. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      13. Burke FJ, Lucarotti PS. Journal of Dentistry 37(1):12–24. Ten-year outcome of crowns placed within the General Dental Services in England and Wales. 2009. PubMed abstract checked. Outcome: no further treatment of any kind on the tooth. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      14. Pjetursson BE, Sailer I, Makarov NA, Zwahlen M, Thoma DS. Dental Materials 31(6):624–639. All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part II: Multiple-unit FDPs. 2015. PubMed abstract checked. A 2017 correction exists (Dent Mater 33(1):e48–e51). Accessed October 26, 2026.
      15. Tan K, Pjetursson BE, Lang NP, Chan ES. Clinical Oral Implants Research 15(6):654–666. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) after an observation period of at least 5 years. 2004. 10-year bridge survival 89.1% (95% CI 81–93.8%). Accessed October 26, 2026.
      16. Creugers NH, Käyser AF, van 't Hof MA. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 22(6):448–452. A meta-analysis of durability data on conventional fixed bridges. 1994. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
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      18. Pjetursson BE, Brägger U, Lang NP, Zwahlen M. Clinical Oral Implants Research 18 Suppl 3:97–113. Comparison of survival and complication rates of tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and implant-supported FDPs and single crowns (SCs). 2007. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      19. Thoma DS, Sailer I, Ioannidis A, Zwahlen M, Makarov N, Pjetursson BE. Clinical Oral Implants Research 28(11):1421–1432. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses after a mean observation period of at least 5 years. 2017. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      20. Pjetursson BE, Tan WC, Tan K, Brägger U, Zwahlen M, Lang NP. Clinical Oral Implants Research 19(2):131–141. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of resin-bonded bridges after an observation period of at least 5 years. 2008. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      21. Jung RE, Zembic A, Pjetursson BE, Zwahlen M, Thoma DS. Clinical Oral Implants Research 23 Suppl 6:2–21. Systematic review of the survival rate and the incidence of biological, technical, and aesthetic complications of single crowns on implants reported in longitudinal studies with a mean follow-up of 5 years. 2012. Implant-supported single crowns: 89.4% (95% CI 82.8–93.6%) still in place after 10 years. 5-year screw loosening 8.8%, soft tissue complications 7.1%, aesthetic complications 7.1%. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      22. Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Journal of Dentistry 84:9–21. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. 2019. 10-year implant survival 96.4% (95% CI 95.2–97.5%); 93.2% in the sensitivity meta-analysis; 91.5% for people 65 and older. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      23. Chrcanovic BR, Albrektsson T, Wennerberg A. Journal of Dentistry 43(5):487–498. Smoking and dental implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2015. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      24. Layton DM, Clarke M, Walton TR. International Journal of Prosthodontics 25(6):590–603. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years. 2012. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      25. Layton DM, Clarke M. International Journal of Prosthodontics 26(2):111–124. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of non-feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years. 2013. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      26. Beier US, Kapferer I, Burtscher D, Dumfahrt H. International Journal of Prosthodontics 25(1):79–85. Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years. 2012. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      27. Mazzetti T, Collares K, Rodolfo B, da Rosa Rodolpho PA, van de Sande FH, Cenci MS. Dental Materials 38(5):898–906. 10-year practice-based evaluation of ceramic and direct composite veneers. 2022. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
      28. Morimoto S, Albanesi RB, Sesma N, Agra CM, Braga MM. International Journal of Prosthodontics 29(1):38–49. Main Clinical Outcomes of Feldspathic Porcelain and Glass-Ceramic Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survival and Complication Rates. 2016. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
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      45. Leonard RH Jr, Bentley C, Eagle JC, Garland GE, Knight MC, Phillips C. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry 13(6):357–369. Nightguard vital bleaching: a long-term study on efficacy, shade retention, side effects, and patients' perceptions. 2001. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
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      Last reviewed by the Dental Health Time editorial team, against the sources above. How we review.

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