Archive for November, 2011

Who should I talk to about choosing dental implants?

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

I heard about Clear Choice dental implants from a marketing campaign on television. But after I have looked into their clinic, I’m not so sure if I want to go with them because there seem to be many complaints. I am retired so I don’t have an unlimited budget so I want to make sure I make a choice that is best for me and so I avoid dental implant failure. Can you tell me who I can trust and who to consult with?

- Pearl from Missouri

Pearl,

If that is the feeling you have after researching Clear Choice, than I would definitely recommend seeking a second opinion. From what I know about their operation, their treatment plan is to extract all of your remaining teeth and then replace them with all on four dental implants.

There are many options when it comes to dental implants and every individual is different. Implant dentistry is a specialty that should not be treated the same for everyone across the board. Experts within the field recommend starting with the restorative and/or general dentist versus the oral surgeon. This is because the dentist (not the surgeon) will be seeing the entire process through.

You will want to seek out a dentist that has impressive implant credentials. Good training to look for is any involvement with the Misch Institute or membership in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. When you find your implant dentist, they will likely have a recommendation for the oral surgeon that they trust to provide the highest quality care.

This post is sponsored by Cleveland implant dentist Hylan Dental Care.

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Can wisdom teeth coming in make your front teeth ache?

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Is it normal for top front teeth to ache, hurt, feel weak, sensitive or even like they’re going to fall out when wisdom teeth are coming through? I know it’s probably a silly question but im only 18 and am petrified that im going to lose my teeth!
- Rachel from England

Rachel,
Your front teeth aching or being sensitive would not likely be related to your wisdom teeth coming in. There could be something wrong with your front teeth, but I think it’s most likely that there isn’t.

Sometimes stress can make the teeth or the gums extra sensitive or even make them hurt.

This blog sponsored by Cleveland implant dentist Dr. Brad Hylan

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Can you use a Maryland bridge to replace four missing teeth?

Monday, November 14th, 2011

I have a partial denture (for 4 teeth) my dentist wants to put in a Maryland bridge instead of a new partial. I am told Maryland bridges are good for only 1 missing tooth. Do you think this bridge is appropriate? If not what would you suggest.
- Susan from Wyoming

Susan,
You’re right, Maryland bridges are generally used for one missing tooth, and even then they aren’t all that secure – they sometimes come loose, if they’re under too much stress. There might be a rare occasion when one could be used to replace two missing teeth. But four is much too big a stress. I would be surprised if it would last longer than a couple of weeks before coming loose.

For those who don’t know, a Maryland bridge is a false tooth that is attached to the adjacent teeth by means of metal wings that are bonded to the inside surfaces of those adjacent teeth.

As far as what I would suggest for your situation, that depends on a lot of things I can’t see. One thing is if these teeth are in a row or in different places in your mouth. It sounds like they’re in a row, because you talk as if your dentist can replace them with one Maryland Bridge, which would imply that. Four missing teeth in a row is a tough situation. If they are in the front, you could use one fixed dental bridge, but it would have to be anchored to four other teeth. Otherwise, another removable partial denture would be an economical situation.

And, if you would want the best possible replacement for these missing teeth, that would be the most comfortable and trouble-free, you would want to go with dental implants. But your dentist needs special expertise in dental implants to be able to do that.

This blog is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Dr. Brad Hylan

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Should my son have all of his teeth extracted?

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

Hello,

I have a son who is 22 years old and he is a recovering drug addict. Sadly his drug problem has destroyed his teeth and our dentist is recommending he have all of his teeth extracted. This means he wants to remove 27 teeth and fit him for dentures. That sounds like a lot to me, but I’m not an expert. Do you know if dentures are made to custom fit? If this is the best thing for my son, then I’m on board. He has difficulty eating and chewing right now. But I’m a bit apprehensive.

- Carla in Illinois

Carla,

In my opinion 22 years old is far to young to have all of your son’s teeth removed and replaced with dentures. He will be dealing with long-term consequences for the rest of his life.

What happens when all of your teeth are extracted is that your jawbone shrinks in a condition called facial collapse. This is because the body senses that the bone is no longer needed to support the teeth. Therefore, by the time he is 40 years old this condition may prevent him from wearing any type of denture. He will be a dental cripple and have extreme difficulty eating. At this time bone grafting can be done to rebuild the jawbone, but the procedure is very expensive. Then as he ages, the condition will only worsen.

If any of this teeth are salvageable, that would be ideal to preserve any of the jawbone that you can. It may end up being more work for your dentist over time, but the result will likely be better for your son’s overall dental health and quality of life.

If none of his teeth can be saved, dental implants are a permanent solution that will prevent facial collapse. They are more expensive than dentures, but even placing a couple implants on the top and on the bottom will go a long way in maintaining his bone preservation.

Your son may have had a tough road with drug addiction, but that doesn’t mean he should only have one option for his treatment.

If he does move forward with the tooth extractions, the amount of novocain required for so many extractions is quite large. And the possibility for trauma is increased.

It is difficult to make recommendations without actually seeing your son, but I would recommend seeking other opinions. You want to make the best long-term decision for his dental health.

I hope this information was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Cleveland implant dentist Hylan Dental Care.

Related links: denture problems, immediate dentures

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