Q&A With Dr Emma
Hi Dr Emma,
Could you please tell me what the average life span of a denture is? The dentist who gave me these unspeakable torturous things said 3 years, yet I have only had them for 2 years. He also gave me less than adequate service and charged me $9000.00 for sub standard work. He issued me with faulty implants as well. I complained to the Dental Board about this and they sided with him I was the bad guy. I have no dentist now and have lost my faith in all dentists.
Please could you advise me? Thank you Dr Emma from Amanda, Mosman NSW
Dear Amanda,
Unfortunately your question doesn't have a simple answer. A lot depends on how many teeth are on the denture, what it is made out of, how it is held in place, how it is maintained, and the general condition of the rest of the mouth. On average, a denture can be expected to function for around 3 years before maintenance or remaking is needed, but there are a multitude of different things which can drastically change that.
Think of your dentures as being a little bit like the tyres on your car. Sure, there's an average lifespan, but you're going to get more life and better performance out of some top of the range tyres than the cheapest re-treads. Then there's how you drive. Do you only putt around to the corner shop once a week? Or do you leave black marks around every corner on your mission to drive from Sydney to Perth in 48 hours? And if your wheels are out of alignment, it's going to cause excessive and uneven wear on your tyres. Dentures are put under a lot of stress day in and day out, it's amazing they last as long as they do in some people.
I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad experience and feel let down by your dentist. If your case has been investigated by the Dental Board of Australia, you can be assured that your dentist has not been negligent. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and it's nobody's fault. Remember that dentists are people too, there's good ones and less-than-good ones. Don't be afraid to shop around, and ask your friends and family for recommendations. Once you find someone you like and trust, your mouth will thank you for it.
Thanks,