Implant supported dentures provide many benefits for patients who choose this dental restoration option, including longevity. With effective care, implant supported dentures that are placed by a qualified dentist can last several years, though patient care and proper maintenance are imperative if you want your implant supported dentures to last you a lifetime. Because dental implants, which are a permanent solution to missing teeth, use medical-grade materials and involve surgical procedures, they can cost more than their temporary dental replacement counterparts. In light of this cost and of the time required for dental implants to completely heal, implant supported dentures should be treated as an investment with long-lasting returns and might require some habit modification to ensure their longevity, and the many benefits they confer can serve as a reminder of their value and of the need to keep them strong and healthy in the mouth.
Dental implants carry the unique benefit of strengthening the jawbone once they’re in place. In the absence of tooth roots to stimulate bone tissue, the bone is reabsorbed into the body where it is saved for redistribution where it is needed. This is why it’s not uncommon for people who are missing multiple teeth to have a sunken, prematurely aging appearance in their lower face; as they lose bone, the face shape changes. Bone loss also affects the alignment of the existing teeth and can lead to an avalanche of other oral health issues, but dental implants halt the loss of bone in the area and serve to stimulate the replenishment of additional healthy bone throughout their lifetime. When the health of the jawbone and the entire oral cavity is maintained by the patient, both with effective home hygiene habits and with adherence to a routine of dental checkups and cleanings, dental implants can remain securely nested in the jaw for decades; it’s not uncommon for dental implants to remain securely in place for 20 years or longer. If gum disease arises and is allowed to progress, this can lead to implant failure, so habits or conditions that increase the risk of gum disease, like smoking or diabetes, will need to be managed as part of the insurance plan for your implant supported dentures.
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is also an important part of keeping implant supported dentures stable and strong for the duration. Not only does good nutrition support the vitality of the tissues in the body, chewing crunchy vegetables and other fibrous foods helps stimulate the muscle in the jaw and exercise the bone, which helps maintain the strength and integrity of the jawbone and the stability of the implant posts. While the denture that your implants support might wear down over time, and the attachment abutments will need periodic tightening and replacement, these routine modifications and adjustments are to be expected; the dental implants themselves, however, should remain firmly in place for the duration with the proper care and maintenance. You can help maintain the health of the oral cavity with regular brushing, taking care to remove any debris that can collect around attachment appliances with a soft-bristled brush and a water flosser, to ensure the longevity of your implant supported dentures and to help them continue to stimulate your jawbone health and support your oral health for the long term. You might need to adjust your habits, but with some modifications, you can safeguard the long-term success of your implant supported dentures, which could last for decades with the proper care.