I had to replace my teeth. Because I am a diabetic, my dentist suggested dentures. I’m just going to say I absolutely hate them. Hate them. Is there a way I can switch to dental implant-supported dentures? I’m sure it might take a special procedure. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.
Ned
Dear Ned,
Implant Supported Dentures
I like your attitude. It’s good that you are committed. Being a diabetic does not mean you cannot get dental implants. My guess is, your dentist knew you were a high-risk category and didn’t want to get in over his head. You won’t necessarily need extra procedures depending on how long you’ve been in dentures. If you’ve been in them for a while you may have lost some jaw bone structure which means you may need some bone grafting to ensure you have enough bone to retain dental implants.
Your first priority will be to find a dentist who is both highly trained in dental implants as well as highly experienced. They will have needed to have post-doctoral training. This isn’t a skill developed in dental school. They have to pursue the training. For instance, Dr. Pumphrey did extensive post-doctoral training with the Kois Center. You can click here to see what type of qualifications he has and what you should be looking for.
Ask the dentist not just about their post-doctoral training, but also their experience and success rate. They need to have a success rate of at least 98%. They shouldn’t have any problem telling you these things. If they seem offended you are questioning their qualifications, move on.
Ideally, you’d want someone who can do the surgery and the restoration. If you can’t, make sure they are in close coordination and discuss your plan together before the surgeon starts. Because of your risk factors, you’ll also want to make certain they do careful diagnostics, including a CT scan.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.
