facial collapse Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

How Much Time Do I Have to Get Dental Implants Before My Face Collapses?

Posted on April 30, 2024 by AllSmiles.

How long after teeth extractions will I experience facial collapse? I have 15 teeth remaining and have surgery scheduled to remove all the teeth in July. I’m concerned about facial collapse and wonder how much time I have to get dental implants before my facial muscles have no support. I feel a little pressured by the dentist I saw to get immediate implants. However, I explained why that’s not an option for me. I can plan for dental implants, though. How much time do I have? Thanks, April

April,

Although a dentist may recommend removing all your teeth rather than restoring them, have you seen another dentist for a second opinion? A comprehensive exam and CT scan are required to determine whether any of your remaining teeth are savable.

How Long After Teeth Extractions Will You Experience Facial Collapse?

When all your teeth are missing, facial collapse occurs within ten to twenty years. However, if you plan to get dental implants, we encourage you to get them as soon as your budget allows. Dental implants prevent bone shrinkage and minimize the need for grafting procedures to stabilize your implants.

What If You Experience Facial Collapse?
If you experience facial collapse, it is usually reversible with bone grafting. A periodontist will measure your bone volume to determine whether it will support dental implants or how much grafting you need. After four to twelve months of bone graft healing, your jawbone can support dental implants and dentures.

Immediate implant dentures

Immediate implant dentures are placed on the same day as tooth extractions. Some patients still need bone grafting to support the dental implants. Without immediate implants, your jawbone will shrink. However, according to your budget, a periodontist can develop a treatment plan to place dental implants in phases.

Implant dentures

An implant denture helps support facial muscles and prevents future sagging that makes you look older prematurely.

Consult a periodontist for an evaluation of the condition of your teeth and whether they all need extractions. Afterward, the specialist can discuss tooth replacement options.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.

New Denture Wiggles

Posted on October 27, 2021 by writeradmin.

I am so unhappy with my new denture. My dentist says it is a good fit, but eating has become a nightmare. It does not feel secure and wiggles. I knew they wouldn’t be as good as dental implants, but I didn’t feel I could afford that option. Is there anything in between?

Millie

Dear Millie,

So you know, even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. It is one of the many issues with completely removable dentures. There is another, more serious, issue you should be aware of as well. Once your teeth were removed, your body began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. Eventually, you won’t have enough of a ridge on your jawbone to even retain your dentures. In dental circles, this is known as facial collapse. I am hopeful your dentist warned you about this.

The solution is dental implants. This is because the implants serve as prosthetic teeth roots which signal to your body you still need the jawbone. Of course, knowing that does not make the implants any more affordable. The closest thing to an in between solution is to get snap-on dentures, pictured above. This can use mini implants to help anchor your denture. It won’t be as secure as something like an implant overdenture, but it will preserve the bone where the mini implants are and it will keep the denture from falling out completely.

This is a decent affordable option to give you time to save up for the better solution.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Dental or Oral Surgeon for Dentures

Posted on January 21, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need to remove my teeth for dentures and wondered if I need to go to an oral surgeon or if the dentist can do it?

Mira

Dear Mira,

You don’t necessarily have to see an oral surgeon. A dentist can do the extractions. The surgery for this procedure is fairly straight forward. However, I would go to a dentist who can do the surgery and place the dentures. You want to make sure they do this regularly and not just that they are doing so because is what you want. To figure that out, call the office and ask what the dentist normally does in that situation.

A Consideration Before Getting Removable Dentures

When you remove all your teeth your body begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body. This begins the process of shrinking your jawbone. Eventually, you won’t have enough jawbone left to even retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. It can be devastating to both your health and your appearance.

Not only does the shrinking jawbone make you look years older, but not being able to keep your dentures in means you will be reduced to eating nothing but mushy foods and liquid. This can lead to malnutrition.

The Solution to Facial Collapse

If instead of getting removable dentures, you get implant-supported dentures, it will protect you from developing facial collapse. You would have about four to six dental implants placed and then, after a period of healing, your dentures will be anchored to them. The implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots, which signals to your brain that you still need your jawbone.

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

Two Dentists/Two Opinions

Posted on October 21, 2020 by writeradmin.

I need four dental implants across the top front of my teeth. One dentist suggested a much higher price than the other. It turns out that the higher priced one is doing big implants and the other is doing mini implants. Are there cons to getting the mini ones?

Terry

Dear Terry,

I’m glad you asked this question before moving forward. While the mini implants are more affordable and that is likely why that one dentist suggested them, they will not be able to sustain your dental crowns. That is too much weight. Eventually, those implants would fail and you’d never really know it was because your dentist shouldn’t have used that to begin with. So, if they don’t work with dental crowns, what are they used for?

The purpose of mini implants is to help stabilize a denture. There are many patients who lose all their teeth, but cannot afford implant-supported dentures. In those cases, we may recommend mini implants as a means of helping support their dentures. It’s not ideal, but it is better than just having completely removable dentures. It also helps them with the effects of facial collapse, even if just a little.

In your case, I would recommend you go with the full-sized implants. It may be possible to do, instead of individual implants a dental bridge that is anchored with two to three full-sized implants.

The key is to be certain you are going to a dentist who has post-doctoral training in dental implants and they have a good success rate. I wouldn’t go to anyone with less than a 95% success rate. Additionally, if the dentist isn’t the one who is doing the surgery and he sends you to an oral surgeon. Make certain it is the dentist who determines the placement of the implants and not the other way around.

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

Is ClearChoice a Safe Option for Me?

Posted on August 3, 2020 by writeradmin.

I am 67 years old and missing quite a few teeth. The rest of them are falling apart. I really wanted to just get rid of them and get dental implants. When I went to see the dentists, they were hesitant to extract teeth I still had. They were willing to replace the missing teeth, at the cost of $62,000. I went to Clear Choice to get another opinion. They were willing to remove all the teeth. They quoted me $53,000, which was still out of my range. When I explained I’m living on the benefits of being a disabled veteran they lowered the price to $23,000. That I can do, but I have heard there are complaints about Clear Choice. Before I move forward, I’d like to make sure it is a safe option. What do you think of them? They’re going to do all-on-four implants.

Percy

Dear Percy,

For the benefit of those who may not be aware, an all-on-4 dental implant procedure (illustrated above) is a dental implant procedure that utilizes angles of the implants to help patients with minor bone loss.

As to the complaints about Clear Choice, those are usually more about their sales tactics than their skills. The dentists they hire tend to be skilled and know what they are doing so I believe you would be safe going to them. The significant drop in price is a tad suspicious to me. If they can offer that much of a discount, how much were they inflating the price? That type of thing bugs me. Profit is fine and important for anyone to succeed in business. But, massive price inflation is bothersome.

I’m curious about the dentist you saw refusing to extract your teeth. If you were 25 years old, I could understand that. The effects of wearing dentures starting that young would be devastating. Facial collapse would definitely set in while they were still young, destroying their lives. However, you are closing in on 70 years old and the teeth aren’t healthy.

If your gut is telling you something isn’t right at Clear Choice, then I would go back to the dentist and tell him that you are determined to have the teeth extracted and would like them to do it and provide you with either all-on-4 dental implants or implant overdentures. Let them know Clear Choice has offered to do it and see if they will come close to matching their offer.

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

Can I Get Implant Dentures without Bone Grafting?

Posted on June 14, 2020 by writeradmin.

My dentist said in order for me to get dental implants for my dentures I would need bone grafting. Is there any way to do that without the bone grafting? That is two surgeries.

Ben

Dear Ben,

A lot of the what is possible for you depends on how much bone loss you are talking about. There is another procedure known as all-on-four dental implants (image above) which allows people with some bone loss to receive implant-supported dentures. I would go to a dentist or oral surgeon who has done that procedure many times and have the diagnostics done to see if you are a candidate. You don’t want to do go forward if you aren’t. If you do, it pretty much guarantees dental implant failure. Then you are talking about needing three surgeries in order to get the teeth you want.

If that isn’t a viable option for you, then in order to get dental implants for your dentures, you will need bone grafting done. This is because the implants serve as your teeth roots. Just like with your natural teeth, these require bone support in order to keep them in place. Without that, they will literally fall out of your mouth.

Bone grafting is a fairly easy outpatient procedure. It will be worth it if that is the only way for you to get dental implants.

Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures

Not only will you never have to worry about your dentures slipping, sliding, or falling out, it has a much bigger benefit — the prevention of facial collapse.

When your teeth were removed, your body immediately began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. It does that in an effort to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources. Unfortunately, this also slowly shrinks your jawbone. Eventually, you will not have enough bone left to even retain your dentures, making it impossible for you to eat all but the softest of foods.

Having implants in your jaw signals to your body that you still have teeth there and it leaves your jawbone in place.

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

Gum Disease and No Insurance

Posted on March 28, 2020 by writeradmin.

At my last checkup, I was told I had gum disease and I needed to get treatment. I thought I was going to get a job which had dental insurance but that fell through. Now I’m guessing I need to apply for my own personal insurance. However, in the meantime, my two bottom teeth feel loose and the gums are so low I can see underneath the normal tooth part. What do I do?

Parker

Dear Parker,

I am sorry the job you’d hoped for didn’t pan out. That is discouraging. I know you don’t have insurance right now, but it this is a serious situation. Once your gum disease progresses so far that the teeth are loose, it is too late to save them. You likely have more on the way.

Gum disease really only requires you to go to some extra cleanings and be very diligent with your home oral care. I wouldn’t wait until you have insurance. You need to get started right away or you’re likely to lose more teeth. Cleanings are a lot more affordable than tooth replacements. You will want to replace your teeth.

Tooth Replacement Options

The ideal tooth replacement is a dental implant. The more teeth you lose the more important implants become. When your teeth are gone, your body recognizes there are no longer any tooth roots in your jaw. In an effort to be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible, they resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use elsewhere in your body. This causes your jawbone to slowly shrink. A condition known as facial collapse.

Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots. This signals to your brain that your teeth are still there and it leaves your jawbone intact. But, like I said, this doesn’t come inexpensively. You are much better off getting your gum disease dealt with. I’d see a periodontist as soon as possible.

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

I’m Not Adjusting to Dentures

Posted on February 18, 2020 by writeradmin.

I feel trapped and am looking for some advice. I had to get dentures, way earlier than expected. While I realize this is my own fault, it doesn’t change how difficult it is. I have hated the dentures from the beginning. My dentist assured me I would get used to them. I haven’t. They’ve made my life a total misery. Is there a way to improve the situation?

Paula

Dear Paula,

Implant Supported Dentures

I completely sympathize with what you’re going through. While some people adjust to dentures, others never do. There are many reasons for that.

Reduced chewing capacity
They move around
Gag Reflex issues
Food gets under them
Facial Collapse

That last one is so important I’m going to deal with it more in-depth.

The Dangers of Facial Collapse

Our bodies are amazing. When your teeth were removed, it immediately recognized that. In an effort to be as efficient with your resources as possible, it began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone it perceived you no longer needed to sustain teeth, which it then distributes elsewhere in your body.

This has the unfortunate side effect of slowly shrinking your jawbone. After ten years, you will likely be dealing with facial collapse and no longer have enough jawbone to even retain your dentures.

You mentioned this happened much earlier than you expected, which hints to me you are still fairly young. I wanted to emphasize the danger you were facing so you could intervene sooner rather than later.

Implant Overdentures: The Solution to Facial Collapse

If you have dental implants placed, these can be attached to your dentures. This has a two-fold benefit of completely stabilizing them and protecting you from facial collapse. Your body interprets the implants as teeth roots and leaves your jawbone intact. You’ll also find your quality of life goes up significantly as well.

While many times implant overdentures require between six to eight implants per arch, there are ways to make this more affordable. The key is good communication with a skilled implant dentist.

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

Dental Implants after Years of Dentures

Posted on January 31, 2020 by writeradmin.

I have had dentures for over ten years. I have hated them from the beginning but wasn’t in the position to do anything else. Now my circumstances have changed but I’m wondering whether it is too late to do anything since it has been so long.

Kater

Dear Kater,

It is never too late to improve our dental health. In this case, the upgrade can literally save your jaw. When your teeth were removed, your body started a process known as facial collapse. This is where it removes the minerals in your jawbone are resorbed to be used elsewhere in your body. It’s your brain’s way of being the most efficient to the resources available. Because you no longer have teeth, it makes the assumption you no longer need the jawbone to retain the teeth roots. After about ten years, it becomes difficult to keep your dentures in place. Eventually, you’ll lose so much jawbone, you won’t be able to keep your dentures in at all.

The way to prevent facial collapse is by placing a series of prosthetics in your jawbone that mimic your teeth roots. This tells your brain there are still teeth there and you will need that jawbone fully in-tact. The best tooth replacement option for that is to get dental implants.

When you are missing all of your teeth, it is too expensive to replace each tooth with a dental implant. However, there is a great solution. You can get implant overdentures. This places between four to six dental implants and then secures them to a denture.

It’s not at all like wearing removable dentures. Because they’re anchored to the implants, they’re completely secure. You’ll find your chewing capacity goes up significantly with the implants. Best of all, you’ll never have to worry about facial collapse.

Because you have already been in dentures for at least ten years, you likely are beginning to experience some of the problems associated with facial collapse. You are probably going to need to have some bone grafting done to ensure you have enough bone structure to retain the dental implants.

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

Are Soft Dentures a Thing?

Posted on December 31, 2019 by writeradmin.

I hate my dentures. It’s hard to chew and my gag reflex isn’t working at all with the hard plate. Is there a way to switch to a soft denture? Then, is there anything which can help with the difficulty of chewing?

Kemal

Dear Kemal,

Implant overdentures solve the problems inherent with dentures

There are soft liners that can fit on the upper dentures which help people that have a bony ridge. But there aren’t currently any soft dentures. Even the soft liners have their problems. They don’t last as long and need to be replaced quite a bit. As for the chewing problems you’re having. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%.

I am going to recommend something completely different for you. Has your dentist spoken with you about implant overdentures? These use about four to six dental implants and then a denture is anchored to them. Because they are anchored, there is no need for a plate at the roof of your mouth at all. You’ll also find your chewing capacity is restored. However, the biggest benefit is that it will prevent you from developing facial collapse.

How Implant Supported Dentures Prevent Facial Collapse

When your teeth were removed, your body immediately began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. While it is doing this to be most efficient in its use of minerals, the slow leeching of your minerals has the side effect of slowly shrinking your jawbone.

After ten years or so, there will not be enough jawbone left to even retain your dentures. Your body doesn’t see this as a problem because it knows you no longer have teeth, therefore you don’t need bone to support those teeth.

Implant overdentures prevents this because the implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots. This allows your body to interpret that as you still having teeth. Therefore, it leaves your jawbone completely intact.

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