Cleaning Implant Supported Dentures

One of the most important things you can do to preserve the health and extend the longevity of your implant supported dentures is to practice good oral hygiene habits on a daily basis. Fortunately, you can treat your implant supported dentures the same as your natural teeth, provided they are not removable dentures. This means brushing and flossing them twice daily and scheduling regular checkups with your dentist or periodontist. Patients who have removable implant supported dentures will need to take additional steps for maintenance, which will require removing and cleaning the dentures thoroughly and brushing and cleaning around the artificial teeth, gum areas, and attachments. Removable implant supported dentures should also be taken out before sleeping to reduce your risk of developing an infection.

Though not necessary for everyone, nightguards may also be helpful to preserve the integrity of your implant supported dentures for patients who have issues with bruxism/grinding their teeth. While the implant can last a lifetime if you follow these steps, the denture typically lasts between 10-15 years until a replacement is necessary, although practicing excellent dental hygiene can extend the longevity of your crown much longer.

What to Do If Your Implant Fails

When considering the life expectancy of your implant, it is important to consider the three mechanisms that comprise your implant, which are the abutment, which holds the dentures in place and fastens the implant, the implant itself, which is a post placed in your jawbone that serves as the root for the teeth, and the dentures, which replace your missing teeth and is attached to the abutment. The abutment and dentures are much more susceptible to damage over time and are more likely to need replacement then the implant, which will generally not have to be replaced. Another important factor in determining the longevity of your implant supported denture is the location of the implant. Because more strain is placed on the back of your mouth due to chewing, implants and crowns in the back are more likely to fail than implants near the front of your mouth.

Although your implants should last a long time, it is important to be aware of common indications that an implant needs to be replaced. If implants do fail, they typically do so within three to four months of the procedure. Immediately following your procedure, it is common to experience some discomfort and pain, which should be manageable with pain medication. If this discomfort persists beyond five to seven days, this may be an indication that there is an issue with your implant. The most common issues that cause implant failures are due to an infection developing, which is more likely in patients who smoke, have bad oral hygiene, and/or an autoimmune disease. Micro-movements can also occur, which can affect the stability of the implant.

Fortunately, it is very rare for an implant supported denture to fail, especially when proper oral hygiene is followed on a consistent basis and patients continue to schedule regular dental exams.