„What happens if my implant fails?" — an understandable worry with an investment of 900–9,900 €. In this article I set out honestly what warranty we offer at Koderman, what it realistically covers, what is NOT covered, and why premium manufacturers entrust us with lifetime guarantees.
Quick overview — our four-pillar warranty
| Warranty | Duration | Condition | |-----------|----------|-------| | Sweden & Martina prosthetic components | Lifetime | Original component | | Osseointegration of the implant | 5 years | Regular 6-monthly or annual check-ups | | Manufactured prosthetics (crowns, bridges) | 2 years | No mechanical damage | | Failed osseointegration (first 6 months) | Free new implant | No condition |
1. Lifetime manufacturer's guarantee
At Koderman we use Sweden & Martina implants (an Italian manufacturer with 40+ years of tradition). The manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee on prosthetic components.
What this means in practice: if over 20 years the abutment (the part between the implant and the crown) wears out, Sweden & Martina supplies a new one free of charge. You pay only for the work (fitting the new one — about 100 €).
This is standard among premium manufacturers. Cheaper implants (Chinese no-name, generic brands) have 1–2 years of warranty or none at all.
2. 5 years' warranty on osseointegration
If within 5 years of placement a failure of osseointegration occurs (the implant does not fuse well with the bone or comes loose), we cover:
- Removal of the failed implant
- Preparation of the site (bone regeneration if needed)
- Placement of a new implant
- New prosthetics (if needed)
Condition: the patient attends regular 6-monthly or annual check-ups. No check-ups — the warranty lapses.
The reason for the condition: early diagnosis of peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant) allows timely action. If it is not detected because of a missed check-up, the responsibility lies with the patient.
3. 2 years' warranty on prosthetics
Crowns, bridges and All-on-4 bridges have a 2-year warranty:
- If the crown breaks within 2 years without mechanical damage (e.g. due to a material defect) — a free new one
- If the cementing comes loose — free re-cementing
- If the colour match (aesthetics) is not achieved — free adjustment
NOT covered: mechanical damage (a fall, a blow), biting hard objects (nuts, ice cubes), grinding of teeth without a night guard.
4. Free replacement on failed osseointegration
The most important warranty — and the most rarely invoked.
In the first 6 months after placement (the period of osseointegration), if the integration fails, we place a new implant free of charge. With no conditions.
The statistical success rate of osseointegration is 95–98 % — so this happens in 2–5 cases out of 100. At Koderman we have not had a failure of a Sweden & Martina implant in the first 6 months for 5+ years.
What is NOT covered by the warranty
Brutally honest — the warranty has limits:
- Mechanical damage — a fall, a traffic accident, a blow
- Poor oral hygiene — if the patient does not clean the teeth and peri-implantitis develops
- Non-attendance at check-ups — without check-ups we cannot diagnose problems early
- Severe systemic diseases that develop after the procedure — e.g. new diabetes, autoimmune conditions, oncological radiotherapy of the jaw
- Alteration (modification) of the implant at another practice — if another dentist does something to the implant, the warranty lapses
- Smoking — we do not cancel the warranty, but the risk of failure is 2–3× higher
Warranty difference: cheaper vs premium implants
| Type of implant | Price | Manufacturer's warranty | Practice warranty | |-----------|------|----------------------|-------------------| | Cheaper (Chinese generic) | 200–400 € | 1–2 years or none | Often none | | Mid-range (Turkish) | 400–600 € | 5–10 years | 1–2 years | | Premium (Sweden & Martina, Straumann, Nobel Biocare) | 650–1,200 € | Lifetime (components) | 5+ years (osseointegration) |
Why premium manufacturers offer lifetime warranties: they have documented long-term statistics, quality materials and trust in their products.
What you do to keep the warranty
- Brush 2× a day with a soft brush
- Use dental floss daily
- Come for the annual check-up (free in the first 5 years)
- Professional cleaning 1–2× a year
- At any suspicion of inflammation (bleeding, swelling) come for a check-up at once
- If you grind your teeth, wear a night guard
- Report changes in your health (new diabetes, new medication)
Warranty at other practices — brutally honest
When comparing practices, pay attention to the following:
- „Lifetime warranty" without details is marketing. Ask: on what? Under what conditions?
- Very long warranties on cheaper implants — suspicious. The manufacturer of a cheaper implant CANNOT guarantee a 20-year warranty
- Warranty without documentation — at Koderman you receive a written warranty certificate + treatment plan
- Practices that do not offer free check-ups — the warranty is probably only on paper
Frequently asked questions
What if you close the practice?
The Sweden & Martina warranty applies regardless of the practice (on the prosthetic components). The documentation of the placement (the implant's lot number) will be with you — you can present it to another practice.
Can I have the implant repaired elsewhere if it is damaged?
Technically yes, but if another dentist does something (e.g. replaces the crown with a different material), our warranty lapses. Come to us first — we usually know how to solve the problem.
Does the warranty apply abroad?
The Sweden & Martina warranty applies throughout Europe. Our warranty applies only at our practice.
What if the implant fails after 10 years?
The warranty is 5 years. After that period the patient pays for a new implant. But we already have your data (3D CT, plan) to make a repeat procedure easier, and we often offer you a discount.
Are subperiosteal implants also under warranty?
Yes, the same. Premium material + 5 years on integration + 2 years on prosthetics. More about subperiosteal implants.
Can I transfer the warranty to another dentist?
The component warranty (Sweden & Martina) is tied to the implant, not to the dentist — transferable. Our 5-year warranty on osseointegration applies only with us (because it is tied to regular check-ups).
Book a free consultation
Would you like more information about our warranty? At the Koderman Implantology Centre in Ptuj I will explain to you at the consultation exactly what the warranty covers for your specific case.
Author: Dr Antonio Koderman, dr. dent. med. & msc of implantology.