How Long Do Implant Dentures Last?
/How Long Do Implant Dentures Last?
They Could Last You Twenty Years or More
Implant dentures involve placing titanium rods in your gums to support your dentures for the long run. Once the implant is done, your dentures connect to them to complete the process. Implant-supported dentures are known for their long-lasting ability, but how long they last can depend on a couple of factors. For instance, you may find yourself eventually replacing your actual dentures, but not having to alter the implant itself.
Your gum health will play a role in how long the implants last, so keeping up on your dental hygiene will help you extend the life of your implants. It’s not uncommon for implants to last a patient for up to twenty years, and in the best cases, they can last you a lifetime.
The Different Parts of an Implant
When it comes to understanding longevity, it’s important to remember there are different parts to an implant-supported denture. First off you have the titanium rods that will bind to the bone of your jaw. Then, you have the part of the implant that will attach to your dentures; these can last a long time, but may eventually need to be replaced.
Finally, the dentures themselves are attached to the implant. Dentures supported by an implant, when properly cared for, are expected to last longer than dentures that sit directly on your gums.
How They Differ From Regular Dentures
They Can Last Longer Than Regular Dentures
Sometime between five to ten years, traditional dentures that sit right on your gum line will probably have to be replaced. This is due to the jawbone wearing down over time as a reaction to the loss of your natural teeth. Implants, on the other hand, depend on the titanium rods to keep them in place. Titanium is extremely durable and has the ability to fuse with your jawbone, which will protect it from deteriorating.
This means that implants can protect your jaw and extend the use of your dentures, which can cut down on your overall denture replacements. The up-front cost of implant-supported dentures may be higher at first, but the lower maintenance cost can help save you time and money for years to come.
They Look Natural
The implants and artificial teeth used in implant-supported dentures are both designed to look just like your natural teeth and gums, so unless you tell them, your friends and colleagues should be none the wiser that you have dentures at all.
Stability in More Ways Than One
Since implant dentures are a kind of overdenture, they don’t need to be stuck to the gums with creams or adhesives. Some patients find the use of adhesives to be unpleasant or unreliable. A lack of confidence in your adhesives may also make you more cautious while you talk and eat. Implants can make daily maintenance more pleasant and can help you be more confident as you enjoy life without worrying about whether your dentures are loosening.
These dentures can provide mental and physical security. They’re firmly set in place, so you won’t have to move them around throughout the day or re-apply adhesive. You can cheer, laugh, and chew without having to worry about them coming out.
Better Comfort Levels
They may look pretty natural, but they also have the benefit of feeling more natural than traditional dentures. One complaint patients often have about traditional dentures is they may rub against their gums. Implant-supported dentures can improve your comfort levels by reducing friction and irritation.
Your Speech May Be Improved
Talking with traditional dentures can be a learning curve in some cases, and patients may feel as though their pronunciation or voice has changed with traditional dentures. Implant-supported dentures may improve this due to their more secure attachments.
They May Protect Your Smile
After tooth loss, you may begin to experience changes in your jawbone. The titanium support offered by implant-supported dentures can stabilize the jaw. Not only does this help protect your face shape and the structure of your smile, but it can also prevent additional loose skin from forming around your mouth, which can contribute to lines and wrinkles forming around the mouth.
Additionally, titanium isn’t affected by dental decay, which can offer even more protection for your mouth.
They Can Stabilize Your Remaining Natural Teeth
Each tooth generally plays an important role in keeping its neighbors in line. That means when a tooth goes missing, its neighbors will often slide towards the gap, loosening in the process. This may actually lead to an increased rate of tooth loss in the future, as well as increasingly crooked teeth. By filling this gap you can help protect the integrity of your teeth by keeping them “in line.”
Gaps in the teeth can also serve as a trap for all kinds of bacteria and food particles. Even if you try your best, these gaps can be difficult to clean thoroughly.
Implant-Supported Denture FAQs
1. Where Are They Placed?
The lower jaw is a perfect location for implants. Traditional dentures are usually pretty stable on the upper jaw, but many patients find their dentures struggle with stability when it comes to the lower jaw. That said, if you want to be completely done with traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures can be applied to the upper jaw as well.
2. What Can I Expect From the Implant Process?
You may receive either a bar-retained or ball-retained supported denture. They’re both made of acrylic and look nearly identical to the natural appearance of your gums. The artificial teeth will either be acrylic or porcelain, and due to the constant improvement of denture technology, artificial teeth look more realistic than ever before. Both denture types will need two or more implants to keep them snugly in place.
These implants will be placed near the front of your mouth, where your jawbone has more girth and is ideally structured for implant placement. The surgical process has several steps that will be spaced out between five to seven months. We will need to secure the implants to the jawbone, then, a few months later, we’ll expose the implants.
Is There a More Specific Timeline?
How much time you need between the surgeries will depend on how many teeth are being replaced and your body’s response to surgery. We unfortunately can’t tell you the exact timeline, but we can give you an estimate. This estimate will be more accurate once the process is underway.
3. Can I Extend the Life of My Implant Dentures?
When you come in to visit us, we’ll give you crucial instructions on how to care for your implant-supported dentures so you can enjoy them for as long as possible. Even though dentures aren’t prone to decay, they can still grow plaque from your food, so it’s important to keep up with your daily cleaning.
Coming in to visit us for regular appointments will also help us spot and correct any problems so they don’t go untreated. Just like with traditional dentures, you’re going to have to remove your implant-supported dentures daily so you can clean the area around your gums. You also shouldn’t sleep with implant-supported dentures.
4. Can I Get a Non-Metal Implant?
At this time, that technology doesn’t exist. Teeth replacements almost always have metal ions in them, and implants are no different.
The material used for implants is titanium alloy, which is often used for knee, hip, and shoulder implants. It’s widely respected for its ability to merge with bone and is considered extremely compatible with the human body as a whole.
5. Can You Make My Dentures an Implant?
Not exactly, but since implants are placed into your jawbone and serve as an anchor for dentures, it’s possible that your current dentures could be placed on top of the implants.
The ability to do this will depend on the condition of your dentures and whether they’re compatible with the implant technology. If you want to keep your current dentures we can take a look at them and see if that’s possible.
6. Can an Implant Be Taken Out of the Mouth?
The implant won’t be removable, but you’ll still be able to unclip the dentures themselves. In fact, it’s encouraged that you do so daily so you can clean your gums and dentures.
7. Are They Safe?
Implants have been in use for many years, and our team strives to stay on the cutting edge of this already safe and reliable process.
We would be happy to answer any concerns you have about the process or your eligibility during a consultation, as we understand the importance of transparency and empowering our patients to feel comfortable with the entire process.
8. Who Can Be a Candidate?
If you’re missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth, you could be a candidate for an implant-supported denture. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll be able to sit down with you and figure out your needs and whether this treatment is the right call.
If it is a good fit, great! We can set up an appointment. If not, we have other treatment options available for you as well, so we can still do our best to get you the care you need to improve your life, comfort, and confidence.
Do You Have Good Jawbone Strength?
If you want to have an implant, you’ll need enough jawbone material to support it. If you have a healthy jawbone with plenty of material, you should be able to receive an implant-supported denture.
Do You Have a Dislike for Traditional Dentures?
If you’ve had it up to “here” with traditional dentures, this might be the right alternative for you. Even though traditional dentures can work wonderfully for some patients, others will struggle to find the right fit or just find themselves unable to adjust to them. When it comes to daily life, dentures supported by implants are generally less of a hassle to deal with.
Do You Smoke?
If you don’t smoke or are willing to quit, this could be a good option for you. Nicotine can cause both the gum and tooth section of dentures to discolor. These stains are very hard to remove, and you could find yourself having to replace your dentures way more often than you should have to if you smoke.
Enjoy Your Smile Again
To learn more about this excellent denture option, contact our team at At Mas’ood Cajee DDS MPH in Manteca, CA, and set up a consultation!
