When patients come to us, looking at their options to replace a full arch of missing teeth, they naturally have a lot of questions. One of these is how long can they expect their new replacement teeth to last. Replacing a full arch of teeth requires some investment so this is entirely understandable.
The reassuring news is that full mouth dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. In many cases, the implants themselves can last for decades, and some patients enjoy them for the rest of their lives. That said, there is no fixed expiry date. Just like natural teeth, their lifespan depends on how well they are looked after and a few other important factors that are sometimes overlooked.
One point that sometimes causes confusion is that a full mouth implant restoration is made up of two key parts; the implants themselves which are placed in the jawbone and become, in effect, new tooth roots, and the visible artificial teeth that will be attached to them.
These two parts do not necessarily wear at the same rate. While the implants are intended to remain in place for many years, the replacement teeth can potentially become damaged by accidents etc. Providing that no damage has been done to the implants themselves, any damage to the replacement teeth can usually be restored by our Witham dentists.
The artificial teeth that are attached to the implants won’t decay. In fact, they can’t decay. This can lead to some implant patients neglecting to clean them like they would their own natural teeth. We hope that patients of Blake Dental will not fall into this trap. While the teeth won’t decay, bacteria will build up around the implants if you do this and lead to an issue known as peri-implantitis which is similar to periodontitis and can cause the implants to become unstable, and potentially even fall out.
Brushing thoroughly, attending regular hygiene appointments and following the advice given by your dental team all play an important part in protecting your new replacement teeth.
Age is usually not a significant factor when it comes to replacing a full arch of teeth. We will carry out a thorough check of all patients to judge the amount and condition of bone available to place implants into and the patient’s general oral health. It is entirely possible that an older patient who has looked after their teeth and gums well will have a healthier mouth than a younger patient who hasn’t. Once we have checked this, we will discuss the available options with the patient.
How you live your life can have an effect on the longevity of dental implants in general, and a full arch solution is no different. If you smoke, your implants are at a higher risk of failure than someone who doesn’t. As we have covered in other blogs, smoking is a leading cause of gum disease which can affect the bone and cause damage that prevents the implant from remaining securely in position. The same applies if you have diabetes that is poorly managed.
There can be a misconception that once your new replacement teeth are in place, nothing more will need to be done. There are so many factors in play here that this can’t be guaranteed. Occasionally, we may need to repair or replace teeth that have become chipped or damaged. This doesn’t mean that the replacement teeth are faulty; just that you have been using them as you would your normal teeth and, as we know, this can happen to them too.
While every patient is different, many dental implants continue functioning successfully for 20 years or more. In fact, the implants themselves often outlast the restorations attached to them.
Patients who brush carefully, attend regular dental examinations, see the hygienist as recommended and follow advice about protecting their implants generally give themselves the best chance of long-term success.
There is no guarantee that implants will last forever, but with the right care there is every reason to expect them to provide many years of reliable function and stability.
If you are considering how to replace a missing arch of teeth, perhaps because you are fed up with your loose dentures, why not give us a call to arrange to discuss this with one of our Witham dentists who will be able to offer advice and answer any questions you might have. You can do this by giving Blake Dental a call on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
