Answered by: Dr. Carlos Boudet

West Palm Beach, FL

Website: http://boudetdds.com/

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Hi James,

It is not possible to give you an accurate life expectancy for an overdenture since there are too many variables.

I will try to give you some information that may help.
The maxilla (upper jaw) has very soft bone and usually not enough in the area of the molars, so the implants are placed towards the front. Most experts will agree that four implants in the maxilla are too few implants and the minimum recommended is six. This does not mean that it will not work with four, only that it has been shown that the long-term success is better with six or more implants to distribute the load.

Then comes the maintenance. Since implants are attached to bone through the gum tissue, any inflammation or infection around them can cause the supporting bone to disappear and eventually you may loose implants due to gum problems.

Another factor is grinding, or clenching that can place excessive forces on the implants.

A final factor is the design of the overdenture, for example, joining the implants with a bar helps the implants distribute the load better.

It would be safe to say that in a situation like you describe, the overdenture is likely to last less years than one that has more ideal conditions present.

I hope this helps.

Carlos Boudet, DDS, DICOI
http://www.boudetdds.com