implant supported dentures Archives

Are Dental Implants Possible After Ten Years with Dentures?

Posted on July 30, 2019 by writeradmin.

I have had dentures for ten years. I hate them and want to switch to dental implants. My dentist said I’ve had dentures too long, but I know someone else who got them after longer than I have had them. Is there a particular reason my dentist says I can’t?

Penny

Dear Penny,

I can’t say definitively why your dentist told you that, but I can take a very good guess. Dentists have varying skill levels and knowledge. Some, who have gaps in their procedural wheelhouse, will discourage patients from getting procedures they’re not comfortable doing. My guess is your dentist doesn’t do many dental implants, if any.

That being said, having had dentures for ten years, you’ve likely lost a significant about of bone structure. This is because when your teeth have been removed your body recognizes that and begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in an effort to use its resources wisely.

This has the unfortunate effect of shrinking your jawbone. The dental term for this is facial collapse. In all honesty, it’s going to continue to happen until you can no longer even wear your dentures. It is much better for you if you take steps now then if you wait.

Dental implants need that missing bone structure in order to be secured. Fortunately, having bone grafting done will restore the bone structure you need. Some dentists will use artificial or donor bone. Others will harvest the bone from elsewhere in your body, such as your hip.

Dental Implants After Dentures

Once your bone grafting is completed and you’ve had time to heal, you can then have dental implants placed. Unless you are independently wealthy, it is too expensive to have a one-to-one ratio of teeth to implants placed. Instead, most people will get implant overdentures. These can be done by placing four to six dental implants in each arch and then securing dentures to them.

Advantages of Dental Implants

The first thing you’ll notice is the dramatic increase in your chewing capacity. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. With the implants placed. you’ll be back to being able to eat whatever you want. It’s like having your natural healthy teeth back.

While removable dentures slip and slide as well as have food and things get underneath them, that doesn’t happen with implant-supported dentures. They are completely secure.

Their biggest advantage, though, is the implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots. This helps your body to recognize there is still a need to keep your jawbone, thereby preventing facial collapse.

This blog is brought to you by Glendale, CA Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.

My Dentures Won’t Stay In

Posted on June 29, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’ve had dentures for about thirty years even though I’m just a little over 60. I can no longer keep them in. I went to see a dentist and he just blew it off saying there is no ridge left in my jawbone. He didn’t even give me any solutions. I left feeling foolish, especially after spending money on such a useless appointment. Is there anything I can do or will I be reduced to a liquid diet?

Patsy

Dear Patsy,

This dentist did you a huge disservice. It’s hard enough being in the position you are in without him offering any solutions for you. I’m very sorry. What’s happened is known as facial collapse in the dental industry. When your teeth were removed your body recognized that. In an effort to be efficient, it began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. This causes your jawbone to slowly shrink. Given the number of years you’ve had dentures, it is no wonder you don’t have any ridge left in your jawbone.

Unlike what you learned in your useless appointment, you do have options which can completely transform your quality of life. There doesn’t have to be a life full of liquid meals for you. In fact, if you wanted, you could eat steak again.

Implant Overdentures — a New Lease on Life

The first thing you’ll have to do is have some bone grafting done. This will build back the bone structure you’ve lost. This is an outpatient procedure. You may have to call around to find a dentist with the knowledge, experience, and skill to perform it, but they are there.

After that, you have a couple of choices. You can get dentures again, just be aware that the same problem will happen all over again. The better option would be to get implant overdentures. This is when you place four to six dental implants and anchor a denture to them.

This has several benefits. The first is you won’t have to worry about facial collapse anymore. The implants signal to your brain that you still have teeth and leaves the minerals from your jawbone intact. The second is security. Your dentures will always be secure. They’ll never slip or slide. You can eat and drink normally.

This blog is brought to you by Glendale, CA Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.

4 Reasons to Consider a Palateless Denture

Posted on March 6, 2019 by AllSmiles.

Thanks to dental implants, a palateless denture can improve your experience with dentures and your quality of life.

What Is a Palateless Denture?

A palateless denture is arch shaped. It is designed for use when all of your upper teeth are missing. Unlike traditional dentures, it does not cover the roof of your mouth. The base of it is made with metal rings that snap onto dental implants.

What’s the Process?

Impressions – Impressions of your upper and lower arch will be taken to ensure the denture fits correctly and that your bite is well aligned.
Dental implant placement – After dental implants are placed in your jawbone, time is allowed for them to heal.
Healing period – In three to four months, the implants will fuse to your jawbone to provide a solid anchor for your palateless denture. Meanwhile, you can wear a temporary denture.
Additional impressions – After the healing period, more impressions may be taken to ensure no changes are needed to provide an accurate fit.
Permanent dentures – Your permanent denture will be made. When they are ready, they will be snapped onto the dental implants and checked for appearance, bite, and fit.

Why Consider a Palateless Denture?

A palateless denture that is stabilized with dental implants has several advantages worth considering:

It is secure and feels more like your natural teeth.
It’s more comfortable than traditional dentures.
The open palate enhances your taste and enjoyment food.
The implants stimulate your jawbone and help prevent shrinkage that normally occurs when all of your teeth are missing.

How Many Dental Implants Are Required?

Although as few as two dental implants can be used, more implants will increase the stability of your prosthesis.

What Can You Expect?

You will be sedated for the procedure.
The surgery will be pain-free, but afterward you will experience minor discomfort that improves with over-the-counter pain reliever.
Implant placement takes about an hour per dental implant.
You’ll be given post-care instructions.
You will be able to resume normal activities the next day.

Interested in Stabilizing Your Denture with Implants?

Diagram of a standard dental implant fixture (left) and a mini dental implant (right). — Standard and mini dental implants

Much of the success of dental implants depends on the dentist and his or her standards for planning, placement, and follow-up care. If you’re interested in palateless dentures secured with dental implants, find one or two experienced dentists with advanced training in implantology. You can schedule consultations with them to discuss your options for implant-supported dentures.

This post is sponsored by La Crescenta implant dentist Dr. Robert Thein. Dr. Thein is a diplomate of both the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Can Dentures Look Natural?

Posted on November 7, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’ve just been told I’m going to lose my teeth. Here’s the thing, I’m young. It’s embarrassing enough knowing my gum disease is costing me my teeth and I’m going to need dentures, but the idea of looking like my grandmother is disastrous. I’m hoping there have been advancements enough where dentures can look natural and even attractive these days. Please tell me it’s so. Pretty please?

Karyn

Dear Karyn,

There are a few things going on here which can help you. The first and foremost is don’t give up on your teeth yet. Even if you have advanced gum disease, with aggressive treatments it’s possible to repair your gums and save your teeth. You may have to see a periodontist to do it, but it’s well worth the effort.

The Beauty Depends on the Dentist, Not the Procedure

You asked if your dentures could be made to look natural and beautiful. The answer is yes…IF you use the right dentist. The beauty of a procedure depends on the skill of the dentist. You could have a total smile makeover done, but if it’s not done by a skilled cosmetic dentist it won’t look natural or attractive.

On the other hand, you could have a pair of dentures made, but if they’re done by an excellent cosmetic dentist they will look stunning.

Finding that skilled dentist isn’t always easy. There isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry so patients have to research a dentist’s post-doctoral training as well as their artistry to ensure they’ll get a beautiful result.

Fortunately, there’s a site that’s done the work for you. I recommend looking on the mynewsmile.com website. They’ve completely vetted cosmetic dentists who want to be listed on their site. You will get a gorgeous smile by any dentist on their “Find a cosmetic dentist” link.

However, before you make a decision on your procedure, it’s important you know about the danger of dentures.

The Danger of Dentures

Facial collapse ages you.

You mentioned you’re young. You should be aware dentures at your age put you at a high risk for facial collapse. Once your teeth are removed (or lost), your body notices and thinks you no longer need your jawbone to support your teeth and their roots. As a result, it slowly resorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere causing it to shrink.

This is known as facial collapse. As you can see from the image directly above it ages your appearance significantly. However, there’s a much bigger problem that develops than just appearances. You’ll no longer have enough bone left to support your dentures, leaving you no way to eat solid food.

Alternative to Dentures

There is a solution. When you asked if there were enough advancements in dentistry to make dentures look natural, there are. Even better, though, are the advancements which allow us to replace them altogether. Dental implants are an amazing solution and the closest thing to having your own healthy, natural teeth back.

An implant dentist will surgically place the prosthetic roots, called dental implants. After a period of healing, he will then fix your dentures to the implants securing them in place, all while your body recognizes the implants as teeth roots, therefore, preserving your jawbone.

It’s a beautiful solution. Obviously, the more implants, the more secure the dentures, but you can get implant supported dentures with as few as four or six implants.

Best of luck to you and please try to save your teeth first.

This blog is brought to you by La Crescenta Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.