How Long Do Implant Supported Dentures Last?
While there are many ways to prevent tooth loss, some people, inevitably, lose some or all of their teeth. In order to maintain a healthy, normal lifestyle, people who lose their natural teeth must find reasonable solutions. For many people, dentures are a suitable replacement for some or all lost natural teeth. While dentures themselves are widely used, the type of dentures chosen varies significantly from person to person. You may remember your grandparents’ dentures, which were likely the temporary, removable kind and were also probably uncomfortable, awkward, or unattractive. Thankfully, the dental industry has made great strides and has created other options for replacement teeth, including newark implant-supported dentures, which are convenient, comfortable, and attractive.
A denture, also known simply as “false teeth,” is a replacement for missing teeth and gum tissue. The two most common types of dentures are full dentures and partial dentures. Full dentures replace all the teeth, while partial dentures are used when patients are missing some, but not all, of their natural teeth. Some dentures are designed to replace both the top and bottom rows of teeth, while others are placed on only the top or bottom row of teeth. Implant-supported dentures are replacement teeth that are mounted on dental implants. These implants are screws, usually made of titanium, that an oral surgeon implants into the jawbone. Once implanted, these screws serve as a secure attachment for a denture. Your dentist may implant anywhere from two to six implant screws in your jawbone, depending on the number of teeth you need to have replaced. The implant itself is simply the screw that is installed in the jawbone, while the denture, also called a crown, is the replacement tooth itself. Once the implant is placed in the jawbone, it essentially acts as a root for the denture, which is attached using a mechanism called an abutment. Your dentist may recommend standard-sized implants or mini implants, depending on your bone density and the strength of your jaw.
One of the most appealing characteristics of implant-supported dentures is that they actually serve to strengthen and stabilize the jawbone, increasing the overall oral health and supporting the shape and structure of the jaw itself. When teeth are removed from the mouth and are not replaced with an implant, deterioration of the jaw eventually occurs, creating a sunken look in the lower face and often leading to the loosening of temporary dentures. This is why temporary dentures often need to be refitted and replaced as the jawbone slowly degrades. Implants prevent this degradation from happening, providing stable support for permanent dentures while also strengthening the jaw itself. The implants even foster further bone growth and can help stave off the signs of early aging that may otherwise accompany the removal of the natural teeth. Because they are mounted directly to the abutment on the implant, implant-supported dentures generally fit in the mouth more like natural teeth, taking up less room and offering more comfort and a more realistic appearance and experience.
For some people, the fact that implant-supported dentures require surgery may be considered a drawback. Of course, surgery should never be taken lightly, though dental implant surgery is a routine procedure that is reasonably painless and has a brief recovery time. If you require bone grafts before the implants can be placed, the required surgery will be more in-depth and recovery will take longer, and your doctor will discuss this with you before beginning any procedure, which will allow you to make an informed decision. Cost may also be a deterrent, as implant-supported dentures are more expensive than removable dentures, though most patients are happy with the stability, comfort, and attractiveness offered by implant-supported dentures. With the proper care, implant-supported dentures can last a lifetime, and they are therefore considered a worthwhile and rewarding investment for most people.
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