How Long Does an Implant Supported Bridge Last?
Implant supported bridges are comfortable, long-lasting dental restorations that require an up-front investment of surgery, time, and money. It’s important to research whether an implant supported bridge is the right choice for you before you commit to such an investment, and asking important questions about cost, the procedure, care, and how long an implant supported bridge can be expected to last. Each of these answers is specific to the patient and their clinical needs and preferences, but the good news is that with the proper care, an implant supported bridge can last for several years, if not an entire lifetime. Ultimately, the lifespan of an implant supported bridge will depend on the hygiene, health, and habits of a patient; when all these things line up, an implant supported bridge placed by a qualified dentist could last decades.
While traditional bridges rely on crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to a gap of missing teeth, implant supported bridges are affixed to dental implants that are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they heal in place beneath the gums. An implant supported bridge is permanently bonded to attachment fixtures at the tops of each implant, so it’s not removed for cleaning. This could mean that food debris and bacteria are more likely to get trapped beneath the bridge or between the gums and the base of the bridge, which will necessitate more thorough and conscientious cleaning. Your restoration dentist will carefully explain the proper cleaning procedures when they plan and place your implant supported bridge, and your adherence to these procedures will help keep destructive bacteria from building up and causing gum disease. Among other damaging processes, gum disease leads to inflammation in the oral tissues that could cause the dental implants to fail and fall out, possibly even leading to painful, health-threatening infection.
Brushing twice daily and cleaning between the teeth and around the bridge with floss and, if needed, other interdental cleaning tools like water irrigators can help keep bacterial plaque from accumulating and causing gum disease and decay of the natural teeth. Regular visits to the dentist are also a vital part of keeping implant supported bridges and the oral tissues around them clean and healthy. Dentists and dental hygienists can clean your prosthetic teeth without damaging them, taking care to remove plaque and tartar that may have built up at the base of the bridge, especially between the gums and the dental prosthetic. With regular dental exams, your dentist can also check your implant supported bridge for any adjustments that might be needed and determine whether there are any issues you might not have noticed.
Maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet can also help preserve the longevity of an implant supported bridge. While the implants help stimulate the jawbone and encourage the sustained growth of healthy tissue, the health of the bone is also affected by the patient’s health. Without a healthy diet, the bones could weaken and the implants could become compromised and need to be removed. Eating a nutritious diet that includes plenty of vitamin D and calcium can help keep the bones strong, supporting them as they support the dental implants. The bone tissue is also stimulated by chewing, which makes vegetables and fruits that are rich in fiber even more beneficial for the bone and the longevity of the implant supported bridge.
