Posts Tagged ‘Facial Collapse’

Dental implants vs. removable partial dentures

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012

Hello,

I currently have removable dentures and I am sick of them! I have been missing several upper teeth for over 20 years. I am considering dental implants and was wondering if that would be a good way to go even though it has been many years?

Currently I have nine teeth missing on top and three missing on the bottom.

- Dolores in Minnesota

Dolores,

Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. They are a permanent solution that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth used to.

There are three main problems when it comes to removable partial dentures and they are outlined below.

  • First off, they can place additional stress on the the teeth that are used to fasten them in place. Over time, patients can actually end up loosing those teeth that they are attached to. This is especially frequent in individuals that are missing many upper teeth as you have mentioned.
  • Removable partials also trap food particles in the clasps that are used to attach them to the teeth. This means that tooth decay can become a serious problem in those areas.
  • Patients also complain of the discomfort caused by removable partial dentures. The upper partial sometimes covers up your palate. In these cases patients have complained of having issues with gagging.

Dental implants will not present any of these problems that you are facing with partial dentures. There is some healing time during the two main parts of the dental implant procedure. And although they tend to cost more, the quality of life you will experience will be well worth it.

When searching for an implant dentist, it is imperative that you proceed with caution. Many dentists make the claim to be implant dentists and in actuality may not have any additional implant training to speak of. And since the designation is not a regulated field within dentistry you need to research the dentist and really look into their credentials and experience with dental implant cases.

It is also quite possible that you may require bone grafting. This step will need to happen before you get the implants placed and is largely due to a condition called facial collapse. What happens over 10 to 20 years of not having teeth is that your body resorbs the jawbone to be used elsewhere in the body. Bone grafting will build the bone back up so the implants can be surgically implanted.

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

Related link: dental implant failure

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Implants, Facial Collapse, Partial Dentures | Comments Off

Will a tooth infection poision my body?

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

I am wondering what kind of symptoms are to be expected if I have a tooth infection that has not been treated for awhile? I have been experiencing on and off aches, most often in my legs, and my temperature has been up to 102.4 (F) at times. At first I just thought I had a bug of some sort but now I’m starting to think it is because of my teeth. I have had abscesses in the past and several of my teeth are exposed to food and drink because the cavities have fallen out. Do you know if my body can be poisoned from an infection in my tooth?

- Ron in Washington

Ron,

The symptoms you have described can all be caused from a tooth infection. So the answer is, yes, a tooth infection can poison your system. You need to see a dentist immediately to find out what kind of treatment is needed. The teeth may require root canal treatments to heal them.

It is also possible that when you see the dentist they may recommend having multiple tooth extractions if the teeth are in that bad of shape. Unfortunately, this may cause you issues later because you will have trouble eating. Then, it may be possible to have all your teeth extracted which leads to a condition known as facial collapse. What happens when you are missing several teeth is that the bone is resorbed to be used elsewhere in the body. Some facial collapse patients can’t even wear a denture after their jawbone has shrunk significantly.

Dental implants will prevent facial collapse. So if your teeth are at all salvageable, then you may want to consider replacing them with implants.

I hope you feel better soon.

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

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Implants, Facial Collapse, Root Canal Treatment | Comments Off

Do dental implants cause your bone to erode?

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Hello,

I’ve heard that dental implants can cause bone erosion. I am 60 years old and have always been in pretty good dental health. But a few years ago, I had to have two teeth extracted. And now it seems like I have one tooth standing all by itself and there is space on each side and the gum looks like it is receding in the area around the lone tooth. Do you think I should get a dental bridge?

- Janice from Michigan

Janice,

Dental implants actually prevent the erosion of bone or what is otherwise known as bone resorption. But you are correct that when you are missing teeth your body resorbs the minerals to be used elsewhere in the body which in turn causes bone loss. This process also contributes to the receding of your gumline that you mentioned and is not surprising after you have been missing teeth for a couple of years.

One of the great things about a dental implant is that when it is used to replace a tooth, the body senses the implant is there and will not dissolve away the bone. So implants actually prevent bone loss.

Although, based on what you have described it doesn’t necessarily mean that dental implants are your best option. There are many factors that will come into play like how much bone you actually have left in that area, the location of surrounding nerves, where your sinuses are, and other issues. It would be beneficial in your decision-making process to meet with an experienced implant dentist. He or she would be able to give you specific recommendations for your case. If the implant doesn’t sound like it will work well, a dental bridge should work just fine.

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

Related links: facial collapse, dental implant vs. bridge

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Bridge, Dental Implants | Comments Off

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

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dental Implants, Dentures, Facial Collapse | Comments Off

All I can afford is dentures.

Monday, October 17th, 2011

I am fed up with my teeth and am at the point where I feel like dentures is my only option. My teeth are cracking and they are literally crumbling. When I was pregnant with my first child over 14 years ago now, I vomited every single day at least once a day for the entire nine months. This was the same during the birth of my last child nearly eight years ago.

My teeth are in terrible shape. I had to have a tooth extracted the other day because it cracked into pieces while I was doing something so simple, blowing up an inflatable toy. Several of my teeth are worn down to the gums and one of my crowns has fallen out. I think I have several cavities too. I only have $1,000 available every plan year with my current dental insurance and I don’t qualify for loans or additional financial assistance. Dentures appear to be my only option because I can’t afford anything else. I was given an estimate of $1400 for upper dentures and give a cost of 4 times that for root canals, crowns, or bridges.

- Laura in Iowa

Laura,

It sounds as if you are on a tight budget which means complete dentures or partial dentures may be your only option, depending on how bad your teeth are. You need to be aware of some problems that may be in store for you with dentures. Many denture patients feel that they are very uncomfortable and they greatly reduce your chewing efficiency. Another big concern is a condition called facial collapse. What happens with this condition is that when you don’t have teeth left, your body doesn’t think your jawbone is required to support those teeth, so it resorbs the minerals to be used in other areas of the body. This means that your jawbone will shrink. And over time, about 20 years down the road, it may shrink so much so that you may not even be able to wear a denture.

Lower tooth loss is more serious than loosing your upper teeth and the upper denture allows for more adjusting than the lower because it is help in place with a suction. This process makes it more stable than the lower which is secured by your tongue and cheeks while it rests on your lower jaw. So in the long-term, keeping as many of your natural teeth as possible is best to avoid facial collapse. Patients are generally more satisfied with uppers versus lowers.

I know you have made it clear that your finances are largely dictating your situation, but dental implants are a much more permanent solution that prevent facial collapse.Or maybe mini implants could be an option. They are much smaller than standard fixtures, the surgery is much simpler, and they are much more affordable.

I’m sorry to hear you are in such a tough spot and I hope that you find an empathetic dentist that can present all of your options to you.

Good luck.

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

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Dentures | Comments Off

Am I a bone grafting candidate?

Monday, July 25th, 2011

I have some questions about dental implants and bone grafting. I’m trying to find out if I’m a good dentist for bone grafting because I need to have three dental implants placed.

I want to research this topic a bit more because I have already had a bridge done when I was 16 years old and at 42 am noticing bone loss.

-Ruth from Tennessee

Ruth,

To be a good candidate for bone grafting, generally speaking you need to be in good physical health. Other that that, it all comes down to the examination, x-rays, and CT scans.

Be sure you visit a dentist that is very experienced in placing dental implants. To do dental implants well, a dentist must pursue extensive training beyond dental school. When you are researching your dentist, check out their biography and see if they have completed the extra training required and are affiliated with professional organizations dedicated to dental implants. For example, the International Congress of Oral Implantology or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry are quality organizations that dedicate themselves to providing the extra training dentists need. Or the Academy of Osseointegration is another membership that would attest to the particular dentists credentials.

I hope this informaiton was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.

Related links: Dental implant vs. bridge, partial dentures, facial collapse

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Dental Implants | Comments Off

Should I get a bridge or partial denture?

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Hello,

I have been told that I need a dental bridge. My dentist called it a five unit bridge to be specific. As I understand it, he was afraid that placing a partial denture wouldn’t work since I suffer from gum disease and bone loss. This could end up putting to much pressure on my already loose teeth. I received a quote of $5500 without the tooth extraction costs. Does that sound fair or should I keep looking?

- Paul in Louisiana

Paul,

The price sounds appropriate for your geographic area. Although, it may be a good idea to get a second opinion to see if a dental bridge truly is the best option for your situation. Typically, a removable partial denture is known to place less stress on the surrounding teeth. Additionally, it is a lot less risky of a procedure. The bridge actually places quite a bit of stress on the teeth that surround the area. If you end up with a problem on one of the supporting teeth, you’d likely have to start over.

Best of luck!

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

Other links you may be interested in: Partial denture problems; Dental implant vs. bridge; Facial collapse

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Dentures, Facial Collapse | Comments Off

Can I get a soft denture?

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Hello,

Have you heard of a soft denture that is soft or flexible? Do you know where I could find one? The hardness of my denture on the roof of my mouth is bothersome and feels fake.

- Darcy from Iowa

Darcy,

I have heard of many dentists that are offering dentures with a softer lining. Typically they are used when a patient has a bony ridge along their jaw. When your jawbone has these bumps, patients complain of them being sore and this softer material is more comfortable. There are some drawbacks, like they are more expensive and don’t last as long. They also are a bit more tedious to clean.

I have not heard of a dentist that makes a completely pliable “soft” denture that does not have some type of hard surface. The reason being that a complete denture requires firmness so the appliance fits properly and supports normal chewing.

Another option for you would be to consider dental implants. Or a dental implant hybrid restoration would eliminate the irritating portion of the denture that goes over the roof of your mouth. This is because the dental implants would provide the support. Although dental implants are more expensive, they are a permanent solution that feel just like your natural teeth again. They improve your chewing efficiency and prevent bone loss caused by facial collapse, which is common with denture patients.

I hope this information was helpful.

This post was provided by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.

Related links: denture problems, partial dentures

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Dental Implants, Dentures | Comments Off