Full mouth dental implants and full dentures are two approaches to tooth replacement. A full mouth dental implant surgery is by far the best of the two; with a short, minimally invasive oral surgery, you can enjoy a smile that lasts a lifetime.
Full mouth implants vs. dentures? There’s no contest. Here’s why our full mouth dental implants are the longest-lasting treatment for replacing missing teeth:
What Are Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Full mouth dental implants (also known as full-arch dental implants) are an innovative restorative dental treatment used to replace all of the teeth in your mouth. The procedure works as follows:
- A comprehensive exam, which includes an oral health evaluation, X-rays, and a full scan of your mouth, is completed
- Your treatment is planned
- Remaining teeth may be pulled
- Titanium implants are surgically inserted into your jawbone
- Fixed prosthetics that looks and feels like real teeth are affixed to the implants
Unlike dentures, full mouth dental implants are a permanent restorative treatment. They look and feel like real teeth and are fixed in place.
Full mouth dental implants help preserve jawbone volume, provide greater stability, and offer a more natural look and feel when compared to traditional dentures. Additionally, they can last for decades longer than other dental prosthetics.
How Long Do Full Mouth Dental Implants Last?
Full mouth dental implants are a permanent restorative dental technique. With proper care and maintenance, your full mouth dental implants can last for decades or even a lifetime. At Doctors Implants, all of our minimally invasive full mouth dental implant treatments are provided by the board-certified surgeons and world-class restorative doctors who own our clinic.
Maintenance Tips That Extend Implant Life
Our full mouth dental implants are designed to closely mimic natural teeth. As such, the care needed for our implants is the same as the care needed for natural teeth.
- Brush your implants twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Avoid smoking
- Don’t drink to excess
- Consider a night guard if you are grinding or clenching your teeth
- Get a Waterpik or another water flosser for even better care
- Visit your dentist regularly
With proper care, your full mouth dental implants can last a lifetime.
What Are Dentures – And How Long Do They Typically Last?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth; full dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Unlike full mouth dental implants, dentures are not permanently affixed. Full dentures typically last for 5 to 7 years, but their lifespan depends on factors like care, wear, and the fit of the dentures over time.
Why Dentures Often Require More Adjustments Over Time
One of the biggest problems with dentures is the need for regular adjustments; these adjustments are required even if the dentures are still well within their functional lifespan. The reason these changes are needed is a phenomenon known as bone resorption.
Without roots, our jawbones begin to shrink. Full mouth dental implants attach artificial roots (the titanium implants) into your jawbone. Full dentures do not. Without tooth roots to stimulate the bone, jawbone resorption accelerates, causing dentures to lose their fit and stability over time, requiring denture adjustments or replacements. Beyond that, jawbone resorption can alter your facial appearance, cause pain, and weaken the jawbone.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Vs. Dentures: Durability Comparison
Full mouth dental implants are more durable and longer-lasting than dentures and help preserve jawbone structure, which allows them to maintain stability and longevity. A detailed comparison illustrates why:
| Dental replacement procedure | Full mouth dental implants | Full dentures |
| Care | The same as natural teeth | Must be removed and thoroughly cleaned at least once a day, and soaked overnight |
| Stability | Excellent; the same as natural teeth | Can slip out of your mouth and fall |
| Longevity | 20 years or more; often a lifetime | 5-10 years |
| Adjustments | None once permanent teeth are affixed to the implants | Needed regularly |
| Bone preservation | Stimulates jawbone; prevents bone loss | Leads to jawbone shrinkage, which can lead to more stability problems |
Real-World Experiences: What Patients Say About Longevity
Choosing A Solution That Lasts For You
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, nothing beats full mouth dental implants. They are by far the longest-lasting solution—and that’s without even considering the additional stability, jawbone health, and improved speech and chewing they provide.
You deserve a beautiful smile. You deserve teeth that you can care for the same way you cared for your natural teeth. You deserve a full mouth dental implant treatment planned and performed by doctors who specialize in the procedure.
You deserve Doctors Implants. Schedule a consultation today.