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Do Fake Teeth Expire?

Published in Dental Expiration 2 mins read

No, the fake teeth themselves do not expire; however, their components may have expiration dates. Here's a breakdown:

Understanding "Fake Teeth"

When discussing "fake teeth," it's important to distinguish between different types:

  • Dental Implants: These are surgically placed into the jawbone to support artificial teeth.
  • Prosthetics (Dentures and Bridges): These are removable or fixed devices that replace missing teeth.

Do Dental Implants Expire?

According to the reference provided:

  • Implants don't expire. The implant itself is made of materials that don't degrade over time.
  • Implant failure: The issue with implants is not their expiration, but rather potential failure due to:
    • Poor integration with the jawbone
    • Disease
  • Component Expiration: The packaging for the implant components has an expiration date. If the expiration date is exceeded, there is a risk of the components being non-sterile.

Expiration of Dental Prosthetics (Dentures and Bridges)

  • While the materials used in dentures and bridges don't have an expiration date like food, they do degrade over time through regular use:
    • Wear and tear: Dentures and bridges can wear down, crack, or become ill-fitting.
    • Material degradation: Acrylic used in dentures can become brittle or discolored over time.
    • Changes in the mouth: As the mouth changes, dentures may become loose and require relining or replacement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dental Implants: Implants themselves don't expire; potential issues relate to integration and infection. The packaging of implant components does have an expiration date.
  • Dentures and Bridges: These do not expire, but they do wear out and may need to be replaced due to wear, material breakdown, or changes in the oral environment.
Element Does it "expire"? Explanation
Dental Implants No The implant itself does not expire, but component packaging has an expiry date.
Dental Prosthetics No Wear and tear may necessitate replacement over time.