dental implants Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Atlanta Dental Implants

My Dentures Ruined My Granddaughter’s Birthday

Posted on October 7, 2018 by writeradmin.

I was at my granddaughter’s 7th birthday party. We were singing the happy birthday song to her when my dentures fell out and landed directly on the cake. Her friends freaked out. She was humiliated. I felt horrible. How can I keep this from happening again?

Mary

Dear Mary,

Implant Supported Dentures are Much More Secure

I’m sorry this happened to you. I know you’re feeling awful about her party. Just know your granddaughter loves you. She’ll not hold this against you. What you’re facing isn’t your fault. I truly hope whoever extracted your teeth and gave you the dentures warned you about this possibility.

What you’re dealing with is known as facial collapse. When your teeth were extracted, your body began reabsorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. It does that because it thinks you no longer need that bone now that your teeth were extracted.

Unfortunately, after about ten years, there’s no longer enough bone to keep your dentures in. That’s why it fell out.

Implant Supported Dentures—the Solution to Facial Collapse

Ideally, your dentist or oral surgeon would have warned you about this and suggested you get implant supported dentures instead. This places either titanium or zirconia implants into your jawbone. This tells your body that your jawbone is still necessary to secure your tooth roots.

Then, your dentures are attached to these implants. This has the additional benefit of securing your dentures at the same time in which it keeps your jaw intact.

You’ve lost so much bone, there’s no longer enough to support the implants. In order to get the implant supported dentures, you’ll need to have bone grafting done first. Once your bone is built back up you can then have implants placed.

I hope this helps you. If you tell your granddaughter the reason it happened, it will probably help her understand that it wasn’t your fault.

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

Can I Get All-on-Four Implants with Fewer Implants?

Posted on September 19, 2018 by writeradmin.

My dentist is suggesting I get all-on-four dental implants. I like the idea of having implants instead of dentures, but thought four was a big risk and four chances for something to go wrong. Can I get just one or two? That seems like it would better my chances of it taking.

Maggie

Dear Maggie,

Illustration of an all-on-4 procedure

It sounds like you’re more concerned about the chance of dental implant failure than you are the cost of two additional implants. You should know the biggest factor in whether or not an implant case is successful is the dentist who does the procedure, not how many dental implants you have placed.

When done by a skilled professional who does the procedure often, such as an oral surgeon, periodontist, prosthodontists, and even general dentists with extra training, you have a 98%-99% success rate. If that’s’ your major concern, I wouldn’t lessen your number of implants.

How Many Implants Do You Need?

When anchoring a denture, you can have as few as two dental implants. Just bear in mind they won’t be as secure as they would with four or six. Your quality of life goes up with the number of implants because of the security of your implants.
For instance, with two you won’t have to worry about them slipping out of your mouth as you would with complete dentures, but they will move some. With six, you’ve got very secure dentures which will stay in place completely.

One thing to consider is why your dentist suggested the All-on-4 dental implant procedure. Sometimes it’s recommended for patients who have less bone structure. It’s a different type of procedure which angles the implants. In that case, you may really need the all-on-four.

Another option is to have bone grafting done to build up your bone and then you can choose between several types of procedures.

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

Are Non-Metal Implants Weak?

Posted on September 12, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’m going to replace a tooth with a dental implant. It looks like there are two types: metal and non-metal. I like the idea of non-metal, but I’m worried they’re not as strong. Will they last as long?

Bruce

Dear Bruce,

Metal-free Zirconia Dental Implants in three shapes

Zirconia is metal-free and dubbed “ceramic steel”

The metal dental implants are made from titanium. They have a long track record and are very reliable. It’s what most dentists use.

The non-metal dental implants are made from zirconia. They haven’t been around as long. However, they are strong. In fact, they are nicknamed ceramic steel. Those who’ve used it have had no problems. Quite the opposite in fact. Metal-free dental implants have been a lifesaver for patients with metal sensitivities.

Succesful Dental Implants

What’s more important when it comes to dental implants is who places them. You want someone who can do both the surgery and the implant restoration. That cuts down opportunities for miscommunication errors which can happen when there are two practices involved in treatment. Periodontists have the surgical skill necessary.

All that being said, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. You’ll want to see a periodontist to ensure you are actually a good candidate. For instance, if you have gum disease you need to deal with that first. In fact, it should be your highest priority. Leaving it untreated will cost you more teeth.

The next consideration is if you have enough jaw bone. If you don’t, you can have bone grafting done to build it back up.

Finally, if you’re a smoker, you’ll want to consider either quitting or cutting back dramatically. It can lead to infection and dental implant failure. Infection is the leading reason implants fail so you want to give them the best chance possible. Smoking cuts down your blood flow which makes healing more difficult. It’s also one of the reasons smokers have a much higher case of gum disease than non-smokers.

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

Convince My Husband to Wear His Dentures

Posted on July 14, 2018 by writeradmin.

My husband has only had dentures for a couple of months, but he’s already given up on wearing them. I know this sounds shallow, but I’m too young to have a toothless husband. We’re only 50. I love him, but he’s being a baby. He says he hates how they move around. Is there some way to convince him to wear them?

Carla T.

Dear Carla,

Implant Supported Dentures are Much More Secure

I’m quite surprised and disturbed that at your young age your dentist didn’t warn you of the danger of dentures. Before we get into that, let’s address what your husband is complaining about. He’s not actually being a baby. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. And if they’re moving around on him food is almost positively getting under the dentures and irritating him. These issues can cause him to develop sores.

Why Dentures are Dangerous When You’re Young

Our bodies are remarkably efficient. When your husband lost his teeth, his body began to reabsorb the minerals in his jawbone to use where his body perceived was more necessary. This causes his jawbone to slowly shrink. The clinical term for this is facial collapse. In about 10 or so years, he’ll no longer have enough jawbone to retain his dentures. He’d be a denture cripple. Unable to eat solid food. That will take a horrible toll on his health.

Implant Supported Dentures Protect From Facial Collapse

Did your dentist happen to mention implant supported dentures? These combine two procedures— dental implants and dentures. Dental implants require a surgical procedure where a prosthetic implant replaces the roots of his teeth. Then, when a healing period is over, porcelain crowns will be placed on the implants. This signals to his body that he still has teeth. Because of the prosthetic roots, the minerals of his jawbone are left in place.

Few people can afford to get straight dental implants on every tooth. However, getting implant supported dentures makes this much more affordable.

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

I’m Too Young to Lose My Teeth!

Posted on April 30, 2018 by writeradmin.

Please save me from my fate. I’m losing my teeth. It’s my own fault, but at the same time, I’m only 42. When I think of people with dentures, I picture my grandmother. The most vivid memory I have is also one of the worst memories. It was my tenth birthday. We just finished singing and I blew out my candle. My dad told a joke (I don’t remember). Everyone laughed and my granny’s dentures fell out right smack dab in the middle of my cake. This cannot be my fate. What do I do?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay. I’m assuming you are losing your teeth due to gum disease. That is one of the main reasons adults lose their teeth. Has your dentist taken aggressive action to try to save your teeth? You should be having extra appointments, specifically for periodontal therapy. Gum disease is always easier to treat in the early stages, but if it’s advancing it’s better to come in every three months instead of every six.

If those don’t work there is always the option of periodontal surgery as well, which can take treatment further. There’s also a new technique called the pinhole technique. It doesn’t even require sutures.

Implant Supported Dentures Keep You From Granny’s Fate

Even if all of that fails and you end up as a worst case scenario losing all your teeth, it doesn’t mean you have to end up like your grandmother. We’ve had many advancements in tooth replacements since granny’s days.

Dental Implants

Chances are you won’t lose every tooth. I’m guessing treating your gum disease will save most of your teeth and hopefully, if you need to replace any teeth it will just be one or two. These are the top of the line-tooth replacement. You’ll have a prosthetic root surgically implanted into your jaw. Then, after a period of healing, a porcelain crown will be placed on top. They look and function just like normal teeth. You can eat, drink, and brush your teeth normally.

Implant Supported Dentures

If you lose all of your teeth, those same implants can be attached to dentures. These are called implant overdentures. Obviously, the more implants you have the better and more stable they’ll be, but Dr. Pumphrey will place them with as few as four implants.

The great thing about implants is they protect you from facial collapse, which is the result of years of dentures. That gives the squashed facial look you see in the picture at the top of this page. Facial collapse is also why your grandmother’s dentures fell onto your cake. This won’t happen to you.

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

Periodontal Disease and Dental Implants

Posted on February 28, 2018 by AllSmiles.

Periodontal Disease and Dental Implants

Hi, My periodontist recently replaced one of my missing teeth with a dental implant. It had fallen out because I have periodontal disease that went untreated for many years. I was very happy about replacing the tooth, not only because it just looks much better, but because I felt it was the answer to my periodontal disease, at least for that tooth. I must have misunderstood something because I was surprised when he told me I could still get periodontal disease around that tooth. Somehow, I thought that the titanium implant would be impervious. Can you explain?

Deb in Atlanta

Hi Deb,

While the titanium root from of a dental implant may be less susceptible to the effects of untreated periodontal disease, you still need to continue periodontal maintenance to prevent losing the implant itself. Periodontal disease doesn’t just attack the tooth root, it undermines the soft tissues and jawbone that support the root, so even if the titanium were “impervious,” as you said, there would still be a need to address the periodontal disease.

If you have lost teeth to periodontal disease, you may already know that it is a chronic condition that is never really “cured.” It may have been disappointing to learn that your new tooth will not somehow be able to withstand the effects of gum disease, but with continued periodontal maintenance, the outcome will be much better than it would have been otherwise.

Take a look at these two diagrams. The first one shows the progression of periodontal disease from completely healthy tooth, gum, and bone structure on the left of the tooth to the more advanced stage where the soft tissues and the jawbone that surround the tooth root are undermined. Then look at the second diagram, which shows a dental implant surrounded by soft tissue and bone. The comparison should make it more clear why your new dental implant will need continuing periodontal maintenance. Even if the titanium root form were left completely untouched by the surrounding disease, it would eventually not have enough bone and soft tissue to support it.

Good luck to you in maintaining your dental health.

This Blog is brought to you by David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics of Atlanta.

Bone grafts for dental implants

Posted on February 2, 2018 by AllSmiles.

Bone Grafts for Dental Implants

I am in my early 40s, and I recently looked into getting a couple dental implants to replace two front teeth I lost when I was just 18. I have always had two removable false teeth that clipped in behind the two adjacent teeth, and it has always bothered me. So I talked to my dentist about getting a more permanent (and hopefully more aesthetic) solution. He told me I would need a bone graft for the dental implants, so now I’m wondering if it is too much trouble. I really want my front teeth to look more natural, but I feel like a bone graft will be too much pain to go through.

Arabella in Atlanta

Hello Arabella,

Many people who explore the possibility of a dental implant or implants end up needing bone grafting, and while it is one more procedure to go through and heal from, it should not deter you from obtaining the smile you want.

Let’s first talk about the reason you probably need bone grafting at this point, then we’ll talk through the procedure, so you understand what it entails and can calm your fears.

Reason for Bone Grafts

If you’ve had false teeth for 22 years or more, it is likely that your jawbone has atrophied and lost density in the area below those teeth. This is because false teeth, dentures, and bridges only replace the crown or visible part of the tooth without addressing the loss of the tooth root.

The body interprets the loss of a tooth with its root to mean that the supporting bone structure is no longer needed. It begins to absorb the bone-building minerals that once supported the tooth for use elsewhere in the body. This leads to situations like yours in which there is not enough bone structure left to support a dental implant. And in the case of the loss of all of the teeth, it can lead to facial collapse.

That’s why dental implants are a very good choice: they replace both the tooth root and the crown. In fact, a dental implant is a replacement root that is implanted directly into your jawbone, and it is strong enough to support a crown. As you can see from the diagram here, the tooth root form needs enough bone material to be stable. Only then can it support the crown.

Bone Grafting Procedure

So now that you know why, let’s talk about how. It’s easy to fear what we don’t really understand, so hopefully, a little more information will go a long way here. To begin with, the tissue used for the bone graft can be found in your own jawbone, and when this is not possible, it can be obtained from a tissue bank.

Because there have been many recent advances in techniques and technology, bone grafting is now a minimally invasive and safe procedure. Your periodontist will place the new tissue after making an incision, and because your body will recognize the graft material as its own bone, and will gradually replace the graft with more bone-building minerals. This way, through guided tissue regeneration, you end up with more of your own natural bone than you had before the graft.

And modern sedation and pain-relief methods will keep the procedure and healing period for both the bone grafting and the implantation of the tooth root form relatively pain-free.

It is a really good idea to explore all these topics with your periodontist or oral surgeon who will perform the procedures. This will help you build more trust and lessen your fear as well. You can look forward to a permanent and beautiful smile.

Good luck in finding the right solution for a healthy and happy dental future.

This Blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta.

Why didn’t my dentist tell me about facial collapse?

Posted on January 4, 2018 by AllSmiles.

About 10 years ago, I was having a lot of trouble with my teeth. My dentist said I had periodontal disease and recommended that I have my teeth removed so he could fit me with dentures. I wanted to stop hurting and going to the dentist all the time, so I got the dentures. That same dentist always worked with me until recently, when I took my daughter’s advice to see a new dentist. Now I find out I have lost a lot of bone and I want to know why my first dentist didn’t tell me about facial collapse, what it is, and if I can prevent further bone loss.

Judy, Tallahassee, Florida

Hi Judy,

It’s unfortunate that you are just now finding out about facial collapse. Hopefully they are fewer and fewer, but there are some dentists who not only aggressively sell their patients on dentures, but also fail to fully inform them about the problems with dentures and especially about the bone loss that leads to facial collapse. But further bone loss can be prevented with dental implants. And with bone grafting, the effects of the bone loss you have already suffered can, to a large extent, be reversed. Let’s take a look at what facial collapse is, and then we can explain your options for treatment at this point.

What is Facial Collapse?

We tend to think of our teeth as just the visible crowns that appear above the gum line, when, in fact, our tooth roots are integral to our dental and overall health. The roots not only attach the teeth to the jawbone, they also keep the jawbone in place. In fact, as soon as we lose a tooth, the body interprets the loss to mean that we no longer need the bone that used to support that tooth. So it begins to “resorb” the bone-building minerals from that part of the jaw, because there is always a need for those minerals elsewhere in the body.

When we lose most or all of our teeth, this process of resorption proceeds quickly at first and then slows down, and over the course of just ten to twenty years, we can begin to see the signs of facial collapse. The illustration to the right shows four jawbones. The first one still has a full set of lower teeth, and you can see that the jawbone is still present and healthy. In the second jawbone, there has been some vertical bone lost. And finally, in the last two, so much bone has been lost that it would be impossible to even support dentures.

The corresponding appearance that accompanies facial collapse is the kind of sunken-in appearance with strong vertical lines around the mouth that we associate with old age.

Because you have been without your teeth for about ten years, it is likely that your new dentist can take remedial measures to prevent the bone loss from progressing further, and there may even be a chance of reversing what you have already lost with bone grafting and dental implants.

Preventing and Treating Facial Collapse

Because dentures only replace the visible parts of our teeth, they can never prevent bone loss. But dental implants are actually tooth root forms onto which dental crowns are fixed, effectively replacing both the tooth root and the visible part of the tooth. These tooth root forms are placed into the jaw bone during a surgical procedure.

As you heal from the surgery, a process that is the reverse of resorption takes place. It is called osseointegration, and it means that the body brings more bone-building minerals to the site of the implanted root and surrounds it with new bone. By the time you are fully healed, your jawbone will have fully integrated the implant, so that it ultimately becomes part of the bone. The resulting structure is strong enough to receive a crown and to withstand the pressures of chewing.

And if you no longer have enough bone left to support an implant, bone grafting can be used to reverse the bone loss process. Bone grafting can sound like a difficult procedure, but it is actually a minimally invasive surgery during which safe and effective grafting materials are placed. Your body responds to the implanted material by regenerating tissue, and will actually replace the graft with your own bone-building minerals.

The Role of Implant-Supported Dentures

Finally, you do not need to replace every single tooth with a bone graft and dental implant to have a great outcome. Implant-supported dentures are held in place with six to eight dental implants, and they can not only solve many of the problems many people experience with removable dentures, they can also prevent further bone loss.

Your next step should be to talk over your treatment options with your dentist, and if you do not feel that he or she is really comfortable discussing dental implants, bone grafting, and implant-supported dentures, don’t hesitate to do more research. You will eventually find the right dentist to provide you with the kind of outcome you are looking for.

Good luck to you!

This Blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Top 3 Reasons to Consider Implant-Supported Dentures

Posted on December 15, 2017 by AllSmiles.

My dentist is suggesting that I have all my teeth removed to get dentures, and I’d be okay with this, except my dad really hates his dentures. He’s had them for about ten years, and they seem to get worse every year. I’ve heard about different types of dentures that go with dental implants, and I want to find out everything I can before I make a decision. Thanks for your help. Bob

Hi there Bob,

You’re right. There are a lot of different options for dentures these days, and it’s a great idea to educate yourself before you make an irreversible decision. There are a many different reasons to consider implant-supported dentures, but let’s focus on the three most important ones.

— Implant-supported dentures prevent bone loss, which can lead to facial collapse.
— Traditional dentures leave a lot to be desired, and they can make it harder to chew efficiently, fully enjoy the taste of your food, and enunciate clearly.
— Implant-supported dentures come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s not always necessary to remove all of one’s teeth to restore a healthy smile.

To begin with, the most important reason to consider implant-supported dentures is because when we lose a tooth, our body interprets the loss to mean that the bone in the jaw that supported that tooth can be used elsewhere in the body. So it begins to resorb those minerals, leading to bone loss. When we have lost most or all of our teeth, this bone loss can eventually lead to facial collapse, which is the shrunken appearance in the lower face we associate with extreme age. Implant-supported dentures prevent bone loss by acting just like our tooth roots do, signaling the body to maintain the jawbone.

Secondly, traditional dentures present problems that make it harder to chew and enjoy food and to enunciate clearly when speaking. This is because the top denture covers the entire palate and is held in place by suction, covering many taste buds and slurring our speech slightly. The lower denture is held in place with the tongue and cheeks, so slippage is a problem, leading to lower chewing efficiency. Typically, chewing efficiency drops by close to 50 percent with dentures, and this may be what your father hates so much about his dentures.

And finally, you can choose from a variety of different implant-supported dentures to best fit your particular situation.

- — Removable implant-supported full dentures are more secure than traditional removable dentures and address most of the problems we mentioned, including bone loss.
- — Fixed implant-supported dentures can feel more like a new set of permanent teeth.
- — Implant-supported partial dentures can replace two or more missing teeth.
- — And implant-secured bridges mimic your natural teeth with fixed porcelain crowns.

It would be a very good idea to question your dentist about why he or she wants to extract all of your teeth. It is always better to preserve as many teeth and as much natural tooth structure as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and do more research to find a dentist who will provide the kind of care you really need.

Good luck to you in restoring a healthy smile.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta.

Is bone grafting dangerous? It sounds terrible!

Posted on October 5, 2017 by AllSmiles.

I’m facing bone grafting, and I think it sounds like a terrible ordeal to go through. I have three missing teeth on the lower left side of my mouth, and my dentist wants to to do a bone graft before he places dental implants. I had a bridge there for a lot of years, but it finally broke, and after what I learned about implants, I decided to go that way.

My dentist said I lost bone from my jaw while I had the bridge there and that bone grafting will make that part of my jawbone strong enough to support the implants. But bone grafting just seems like it would be too much for me. My wife laughs at me because I’m so afraid, and I think I could handle the implant surgery, just not the bone grafting part.

John in Georgia

Hello John,

It can be scary to approach a procedure when it sounds strange and unfamiliar. Once you understand more about bone grafting, you’ll probably feel as comfortable with the procedure as you seem to feel with the surgery to place the dental implants.

Let’s start by talking about what a bone graft is, and then we can explore some facts that could make it even easier for you to face. It’s true that we lose bone density when we lose a tooth. Without the tooth root there to signal the body that the the jawbone is needed to support that particular tooth, the body absorbs, or resorbs, as the process is called, the minerals for use elsewhere in the body. So it’s no surprise that you have had some bone loss if you’ve been without those three teeth for many years. The good news it that with bone grafting and dental implants, your bone loss will not grow worse over the years.

The bone used in the grafting procedure can sometimes be taken from your own jaw, and it can also be obtained from a tissue bank, but the most important point to remember is that the grafting materials that are used these days a safe and effective.

The procedure, as rough as it may sound, is minimally invasive. That’s because advanced technology enables something called guided tissue regeneration. This happens because your body recognizes the grafting material as natural bone, and during the healing process, it will bring more bone-building minerals to the site and actually replace the graft with your own bone materials.

And finally, you may not have heard about sedation dentistry. Something as simple as nitrous oxide works to help many patients relax and experience less stress, but if you are really fearful, a good sedation dentist can make sure that you don’t remember your procedure. With the right kind of sedation, you can be aware enough to respond to requests during treatment, but the whole process can be forgotten.

This log is brought to you by David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta.