If you have been using dentures for years and are ready for a change, dental implants may be the perfect solution. You may be wondering if you can switch from dentures to implants, and the good news is that this is an option. Many patients get frustrated with dentures, but in the beginning they were the easier choice.
You can absolutely switch from dentures to dental implants, no matter how long you've been wearing dentures.
Fortunately, it is definitely possible for you to receive dental implants after having dentures. However, there are some factors to consider prior to undergoing the implant procedure that can help you better determine whether this procedure is right for you.
Whether or not you've stayed a long time after having your teeth extracted is not a reason not to undergo dental implants. So it doesn't matter the number of years you've spent; 3, 5, 10 or any number of years past, you can still get your dental implant surgery.
Yes, dental implants can still be placed years after extraction.
If you wait more than a year to get your tooth implant, you may need to have a bone graft performed to ensure stability and strength in your jaw. During this procedure, your oral surgeon removes small fragments of bone from one area of your mouth and transfers it to the area receiving the implant.
There is no age limit for dental implants. However, dental implants may be more costly than alternative options. If patients are in their late senior years, they may not find the investment of a dental implant to be appropriate for them.
Studies have shown that somewhere between 5% and 10% of dental implants fail. On the other hand, that means that there is between a 90% and 95% success rate, which are very good odds in terms of dental and medical procedures.
The most frequent and avoidable cause of dental implant failure is infection. At any moment over the course of implant therapy, a bacterial infection that results in implant failures can happen. Peri-implantitis is a term used to describe an inflammatory response with bone loss in the soft tissues surrounding implants.
With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure. You may feel pressure at times, but it should not cause you discomfort. For patients who have anxiety with dental procedures, oral sedation is available.
Dental implants lead to fewer visits to the dentist because they're easier to maintain compared to dentures. With dental implants, you never have to worry about them falling out while speaking or laughing in social situations. Also, they feel more comfortable and look more natural than dentures.
From a professional standpoint, dental implants are better than dentures because they maintain the anatomic and aesthetic structure of your face, mouth and jawbones. Also, dental implants are more comfortable because they can eliminate denture pain and irritation in the gums.
Dentures are less expensive than implants. Dentures can be placed in by patients who have experienced bone and gum loss (unlike implants, which must be anchored to bone). The procedure for fitting dentures is non-invasive. Also, drilling into the bone–a part of the implant process–is not required for dentures.
While many get their first set of false teeth between 40 and 49, the need to replace teeth becomes nearly universal as people age.
COMMENT. Dentures are routinely removed before surgery. This long-standing practice traditionally has been justified by worries about dentures possibly obstructing the airway, being damaged, or compromising sterility of the operating room.
It is important to note that although permanent dentures are considered permanent, they do not last forever. This is because, as you continue wearing the permanent partial dentures, your gum tissue and bone gradually change as the years go by. Therefore, permanent dentures should be replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Problems With Implants
Infection around the implant. Damage to blood vessels, teeth, or other tissue. Nerve damage leading to pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation. Issues with your sinuses (in cases where the implant is placed in the upper jaw)
Gum recession is one of the most known complications in implant dentistry, which leads to both aesthetic and functional issues. It is often because of poorly positioned dental implants with extreme inclination or tilt or insufficient bone and gum tissue.
Studies have reported that implants fail in the maxilla more than the mandible9-13. Furthermore, the maxillary anterior region exhibited the highest rate of implant failure.
Are Dental Implants Worth It? Yes, for most individuals with a missing tooth, teeth implants are worth the time commitment and financial investment. The benefits of dental implants are extensive and impact you in more than one area of your life.
Dental Implant Longevity
The posts themselves will support an abutment and crown to replace your missing or damaged teeth. While this configuration is not permanent, implants that are properly cared for can last for about 25 years, compared to an average of 10 years for bridges and dentures.
Free Dentures For Pensioners
Your pension status can make you eligible for dentures at little or no cost. This is attainable with Medicare and other pension discounts. Certain government health care cards make you eligible for these services.
Dental implants are supposed to bond and integrate with your jaw bone in a process referred to as osseointegration. But if you have an autoimmune disease or any other chronic disease such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, the process of bone-implant integration doesn't happen, leading to failure.
Are Elderly Patients Good Candidates for Dental Implants? The simple answer is 'yes'. Dental implants are equally successful in elderly people or any patients with reduced bone density (osteoporosis/osteopenia) and heal with the same predictability as those in younger patients.