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Can I get implants instead of dentures?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m finally at a point in my life where I have access to dental insurance. It’s been a while since I’ve had consistent dental care and unfortunately, I’ve lost several teeth due to advanced periodontal disease. My gum line is very low and I’m wondering if I could get implants instead of dentures? — Mike

Dear Mike,
When you need to replace missing teeth, there’s no doubt that implants are a great choice for several reasons. With dentures, you lose at least 50% of your chewing efficiency simply because they don’t stay in place. With dental implants, you can eat normally and they will also help preserve your jawbone and prevent facial collapse – a condition that happens over time when you are missing teeth. When the jawbone is no longer supporting teeth, the body will begin to absorb the minerals and use them elsewhere in the body. If you suffer from facial collapse, eventually there will be no bone left, making it nearly impossible to wear dentures. Your face will also start to look sunken in, making you appear much older than you really are.

Are you a good candidate for dental implants? The answer to that question will depend on your overall health and whether or not you’ve had a lot of bone loss due to the advanced periodontal disease. You may need some bone grafts in order to provide enough bone to hold the implants. It’s certainly worth checking into, but just be sure you find an experienced dentist who has done a lot of dental implants and clocked many hours of continuing education in the area.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Do I see a general dentist or oral surgeon first for dentures?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have had a fear of the dentist all my life. It all stems from one bad experience as a kid. I just turned 52 and most of my teeth are broken or missing and it really affects my quality of life because I am so embarrassed by them. I want a confident smile back so I think I want to get dentures. Do I need to see a dentist or an oral surgeon to remove the rest of my teeth? — Michael

Michael,
Find a dentist who can do the extractions, surgery and dentures. There are typically dentists out there who do all three so it’s just a matter of calling and asking a particular dentist what he or she usually does. You’ll also want to address your dental fear and find a dentist who also offers sedation. You’ll take a pill that will enable you to have “amnesia” or a state of sleep during the entire procedure.

There is a certain amount of coordination that is needed between the surgery and the denture – particularly if you choose to get an immediate denture which is placed the same day. If you go the traditional denture route, there are still certain things a dentist can do during surgery that will help your dentures fit better and an oral surgeon would not be as familiar with that.

If you do decide to have an oral surgeon take out the teeth, go to your dentist first so that he can coordinate the procedures.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

I’ve had it with dentures that don’t fit!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve had my dentures now for about two years and I am just sick of them! Even when I have them adjusted by my dentist (which is quite frequently) my mouth is still sore and what’s even worse, I can hardly speak or eat. I’m ready to throw them in the garbage and just forget about them because I am pretty sure my dentist is tired of me complaining all the time. He told me that it won’t get any better and I should just get used to it. Do I really have to live with ill-fitting dentures for the rest of my life?  — Randy in Illinois

Randy,
It certainly is no fun to have dentures that interfere with your daily activities and affect your quality of life. There is a procedure that can help and it’s called “all-on-fours.” Your dentist may not have mentioned it to you because it’s a procedure he may not do.

All-on-fours are dental implants that help support your denture. If this is something that interests you, find a dentist who is knowledgeable in implant-supported dentures who can place four individual implants that will evenly distribute the pressure from the denture. All-on-fours are a long-term solution that will provide better security, restore your ability to talk and eat without the fear of your dentures falling out, and even better, they can stop or at least slow the jaw bone shrinkage that happens when you lose all your teeth.

Ask your dentist about all-on-fours. If he is unable to do them, he can refer you to a specialist who can help determine if they are right for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

What Can I Expect When Getting Dentures?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I think I am to the point where I need to get dentures. How does the procedure work? Will my dentist put me to sleep and pull out all my teeth and make the dentures all at one time?

Sylvia in California

Sylvia,

If you are in need of dentures, your dentist will extract all of your teeth at one time. Most patients have the option of IV or oral sedation, but if you want to just have local anesthesia and be awake for the procedure, you can do that, too. Keep in mind that not all dentists are certified in IV and oral sedation, so if this is something you prefer, be sure your dentist offers it.

When it comes to dentures, you have several options. An immediate denture is the most common type of denture and it is placed right after your teeth are extracted so you can leave the office with a new smile. Another benefit of an immediate denture is that it helps reduce swelling and bleeding. They are, however, more expensive than conventional dentures because they take more time to make and you will need more follow-up visits for adjustments after initial placement.

Conventional dentures are placed about eight weeks after healing, but the advantage is that you will likely have a better fit then with an immediate denture. During the healing process your gum tissue shrinks and the immediate becomes loose, requiring a soft temporary reline material to be placed on the denture for refitting. After about six months, when your mouth is completely healed, you will need a more permanent reline or possibly a new denture.

Before you make any decisions, talk with your dentist or specialist and discuss all your options. Dentures don’t always stay put in the mouth, and that is a problem for some patients. There are options to make dentures more permanent, such as snap on dentures that snap onto dental implants. Be sure to learn as much as you can before determining the type of denture that is right for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

We can’t afford all-on-4 dental implants so what are the options?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My moms teeth are really bad, and they are starting to like chip away and stuff, and we can’t afford dental implants. We went to one dentist and we talked about something called all-on-4 where she could get the implants and dentures all on the same day. But we found out the cost and because its like thousands of dollars, and insurance doesn’t cover it so we can’t get them. What are other, cheaper, alternatives? I feel really bad for my mom, because she is really upset about it and embarrassed about her teeth. – Jada

Jada – All-on-4 dental implants are placed in the front of the jawbone and are highly angled so that bone grafting is not needed. In some cases, the procedure can be completed in the same day. But this technique is not right for everyone.

Your mom can consider complete removable dentures. A cosmetic dentist can give your mom dentures that are customized to fit her facial features. The dentures will look like her natural teeth.

Many people worry about dentures falling out, which sounds as if it may be your mom’s concern. Mini implants are more affordable than standard implants. Dentures can be secured with as few as two mini implants, but the more implants there are, the more secure her dentures will be.

Insurance companies generally do not provide coverage for dental implants, because there are other means of replacing your teeth. Many dentists offer financing, payment plans, and accept major credit cards for payment.

Be sure to let your mom know that she should see an experienced cosmetic dentist to get natural-looking dentures that fit well.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune, who was voted a top dentist in New Orleans magazine.

My dentist keeps botching up my dentures

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve been wearing dentures for about 15 years now and I have never been fond of them. I moved from Georgia to Tennessee three years ago. About a year and a half ago I paid my new dentist a lot money for a new denture that I hate. I know that’s a strong word but I really hate these false teeth. That’s just what they look like. I am 60 years old. I was blessed to be able to retire at 57. I am happy and I have a very active social life. I’m a volunteer two days a week for two different organizations and these false teeth are embarrassing me. My dentist tells me I’m too picky. I think he forgot how much cash I dropped for these things. He has done the dentures over again twice but I am no where near satisfied. What can I do or say to help him understand what I want and get it right? Thank you. Ricky P.

Ricky, Your situation is unfortunate, but common. Many people see their regular dentist hoping for natural-looking dentures, only to be disappointed. Most dentists lack artistic inclination.

Find a cosmetic dentist. A cosmetic dentist is an artist who is committed to giving you a beautiful smile. He or she will listen to your concerns, and to what you want to see in a smile. Your smile with dentures will be designed to fit your personality and your preferences.

As an active person, you probably have concerns about slippage with dentures. Your dentures can be secured with as few as two dental implants. Implant dentures will look and feel more like your natural teeth.

If you need help finding an experienced cosmetic dentist, mynewsmile.com is an excellent resource.

This blog post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie.

Dentures or a dental bridge for mom’s missing teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My 69 year-old mom has lost many of her teeth. Fortunately her front teeth are left, so she’s not too embarrassed. But she basically has no teeth to chew with, and this is causing lots of problems and inconveniences for her. I’ve done some research trying to find out her options, and I read about dentures and dental bridges, but we could use some help. – Rachel, Arkansas

Rachel – A dental bridge is not an option if all of your mother’s back teeth are missing. There are two options for replacing the missing teeth—dental implants or removable partial dentures, which would be attached to the front teeth.

The removable partial dentures are the least expensive option. With this option, many teeth can be replaced with one appliance. Although less expensive than implants, removable partial dentures would put stress on your mother’s remaining teeth.

Dental implants are healthier, will function as natural teeth, and they are more comfortable. But they are also more expensive—the cost is per implant. Implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, and after the jawbone heals, replacement teeth are secured to the implants.

Another advantage of implants is that they help prevent jawbone shrinkage. When teeth are missing, the body resorbs the jawbone in the area that once supported the tooth. When a dental implant replaces a missing tooth, there is no jawbone shrinkage, and facial collapse can be prevented.

Find an artistic cosmetic dentist with whom you and your mother can discuss the implants and removable partial dentures, as well and the pros and cons for each.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.