A mouth full of decayed teeth can make you self-conscious and reluctant to smile or speak on social or work occasions. Artificial teeth can help improve your self-esteem and boost your oral health. However, prosthetics will wear out over time. Understanding how long do dentures last and how to care for them can help you get the most out of your tooth restoration.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
On average, a complete set of dentures lasts between 5 and 10 years. However, if you have partials, they can last up to 15 years with the right care. Over their lifespan, they may need periodic adjustments to compensate for changes in your facial structure due to bone resorption and shifting teeth.
Signs It’s Time for a Denture Replacement
Even with regular relining and checkups, you will eventually need to have your dentures replaced. There are signs that you should speak with your dentist about a new set.
Loose-fitting dentures are the most common sign that it is time for a replacement. It is because, over the years, your gums and bone structure change. Eventually, this leads to the plate becoming loose during wear. As a result, it can make it difficult to speak or eat.
Your prosthetic can also become too tight to fit in your mouth. If you don’t wear them regularly, the gums won’t conform to the denture, making it painful to have them in for long periods.
Ill-fitting prosthetics can lead to discomfort in other places besides your mouth. For example, your misfitting plates could cause headaches, neck and back pain. If there is no explanation for these issues, it might be time to see the dentist for an adjustment.
Other signs it’s time for a replacement include broken teeth or a broken base on the denture. Stained dentures are also usually at the end of their lifespan. There may be tiny cracks on the surface with stained or dirty false teeth that trap bacteria inside, leading to a gum infection if left too long.
Does a Loose Fit Automatically Mean Replacement is Necessary?
While a loose-fit is a sign that it’s time for new dentures, that is not always the case. Sometimes you just need a minor adjustment to help make them fit better.
When you get the plates, let your dentist know if they feel loose. Then, they can reline them for a better fit. In-office labs make it easy for the dentist to handle quick corrections.
Once your gums heal, you can also use adhesive paste or strips to help the dentures fit better. You should still see your dentist regularly so he can make adjustments or replacements as necessary.
Caring for Your Dentures
To ensure that your dentures last, you need to care for and maintain them properly. Oral health care is just as crucial for false teeth as it is for natural ones. If you don’t routinely visit the dentist to have your prosthetics checked, your dentist cannot identify whether your dentures need an adjustment or replacement.
Additionally, if you fall into the habit of not brushing your false teeth every day, they can begin to wear out. Just like your natural teeth, they require daily care for hygienic purposes. Only use an abrasive-free toothpaste to keep from causing microfractures to the teeth. You should also gently brush your gums underneath your denture plate to remove plaque and bacteria that could cause gum disease and affect your oral health.
Always rinse your dentures immediately after eating before placing them back in your mouth. Use a specially formulated denture-soaking solution to clean your dentures overnight. Never allow them to dry out completely; they need to be moist at all times to maintain their shape and avoid cracking.
Alternatives to Dentures
If you don’t want false teeth and prefer not to worry about how long do dentures last, there is an alternative. Instead of having any remaining teeth removed and a plate put in, you can opt to have dental implants.
Implants are a permanent fixture as they are surgically installed. The dentist inserts a titanium screw into your jawbone, which becomes an anchor for the artificial tooth. Because they are attached to your jawbone, dental implants function like a natural tooth and provide the same strength. They also look like natural teeth.
While dental implants can last over 25 years with proper care, the process of having them installed is lengthy. This is because you must give your jaw and gums time to heal after installing the post before the dentist will attach the replacement tooth. Healing can take three to six months.
Tooth Loss? Dental Spot Can Help
Knowing how long do dentures last can allow you to judge when an adjustment needs to be made or when it’s time for a replacement. In addition, proper oral health care is essential to keeping your mouth and gums healthy, including attending your regular check-ups. Contact Dental Spot for your denture consultation by calling (02) 9158 6115.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
0 Comments