Archives for August 2018

Doctor Won’t Do Pinhole Technique

Posted on August 24, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’m wondering if I should seek treatment from a different periodontist. I’m a mother of six-year-old and three-year-old twins. I am dealing with gum recession. I’d heard about the pinhole gum technique. I really liked the idea of not needing sutures and such. Plus, the quicker healing time seemed ideal for my situation. I’m always so busy and the kids need my constant attention, so the sooner I’m back on my feet the better. But, obviously, I can’t just leave recessed gums. My periodontist said it’s not reliable enough and I should do the traditional procedure. Would you agree with that or should I look for a different caregiver?

Gracie T.

Dear Gracie,

You are certainly an extraordinarily busy woman. I can understand you wanting to have a procedure that saves you as much time as possible. It’s also commendable that you’re working so hard to keep up with your oral health, even while being mother to two sets of young twins.

The relationship between doctor and patient is an important and complicated one. I recently had a talk with my doctor about a specialist I didn’t trust and why. He replied, “The only thing worse than no doctor is a bad doctor.”

I’m not saying your periodontist is a bad dentist. However, there is no evidence that the pinhole gum surgery doesn’t last. My guess is that he said that because he doesn’t have training in that particular procedure and is only familiar with the traditional gum surgery. My feeling is honesty is always best. What you got was prevarication. The biggest issue the pinhole surgical technique is it’s a fairly new procedure so there isn’t any long-term documentation on it.

Benefits to the Pinhole Surgical Technique

As you mentioned, there is a shorter healing period. That’s because there are no incisions, no sutures, and no need for donor tissue.

In your place, I’d look for a dentist certified in the procedure then check their reviews to make sure they’ve given patients a good experience. If so, you can visit to see if you’re a good candidate. It really is a good procedure, even if it is new.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Can Dental Implants Cause Sinus Problems?

Posted on August 15, 2018 by writeradmin.

Ever since I had my dental implants placed, I’ve had one sinus infection after another. I never had sinus problems before this and I don’t know what to do. My dentist insists it’s not the implants and all my doctor does is prescribe antibiotics and recommend I take a decongestant afterward. I’ve done all of that and the infections just keep returning. Do you have a recommendation?

Myra

Dear Myra,

Who should place your dental implants?

You’re likely feeling like you’re being passed off between doctors. And you are. Your dentist doesn’t want to take a chance he’s at fault so it doesn’t sound like he’s done any real investigating. Your doctor is just treating symptoms and not trying to get to the bottom of anything.

As to your question, dental implants themselves do not cause sinus problems. However, poorly placed dental implants are a completely different story. Because your medical “providers” don’t seem to care, my recommendation is you see either someone who specializes in dental implants or an ENT.

They will do a CT scan to see if the implants are placed in a way that interferes with your sinus function. If they do, you’ll be entitled to a refund. Unfortunately, that will mean starting over with your restorations.

When Dental Implants Have to be Re-done

Because they’ll have to come out you’ll lose some bone structure. That will require bone grafting to be done in order to give the new implants adequate support. If your dentist was at fault he should pay for this procedure. You wouldn’t need it if he’d done your dental implants correctly to begin with.

A good implant dentist will make sure you get a CT scan before he plans the surgical placement. This will ensure the implants are placed in a way they don’t interfere with anything like sinuses or nerves. An implant on a nerve can cause a lifetime of pain.

Bottom line, get this looked at with someone who puts forth effort in their caregiving.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Bone Grafting Failure

Posted on August 3, 2018 by writeradmin.

I went to an experienced implant dentist. He’s done hundreds. When he first went to do the implants he stopped and told me I’d need bone grafting done because my bone was too thin. We scheduled it and he did the grafting procedure. After a healing time, he went back in to do the implants and said that my bone was still too thin. Now he’s recommending a dental bridge for me instead. Did I make a mistake going to a dentist? He’s so experienced I thought it was safe.

Alicia

Dear Alicia,

Who should place your dental implants?

Truthfully, if you’d have gone to a periodontist or oral surgeon, you probably wouldn’t have faced this problem. I’m not saying your dentist isn’t a good implant dentist. In fact, he’s been very upfront with you and is obviously trying to do the right thing.

Some dentists would have placed the implants anyway to save themselves the embarrassment of admitting failure. The implants would have failed, but not right away and you wouldn’t have known why.

You had an honest dentist. It’s very likely he’s a skilled implant dentist and had many successful cases. Bone grafting is a completely different ballgame. He’s likely not as experienced with that particular procedure. It’s great that he’s expanding his skills. In fact, it’s important that all professionals continually learn and increase their skill set. And, we’ve all got to start somewhere with those new skills.

Where Do You Go From Here?

You have a couple of options. Neither is a right or wrong choice.

Choice One: Go with a Dental Bridge

You could follow your dentist’s recommendation and go ahead and get a dental bridge. You wouldn’t have to worry about bone grafting or doing another implant surgery and you’d have an acceptable tooth replacement option.

Choice Two: See an Oral Surgeon and Get the Implants

It will require starting over. You’ll still have to have the bone grafting done. But, when it’s all over, you’ll have a permanent tooth replacement without placing dental crowns on your adjacent teeth.

I hope this helps. This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.