implant denture Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

How Long Is the Wait for an Implant Denture If I Have Gum Disease?

Posted on January 6, 2025 by AllSmiles.

My dentist wants me to schedule an appointment with a periodontist for advanced gum disease. After 30 years with no dental insurance, 10 of my teeth have fallen off. My bone has shrunk, and my gums are low. My jawbone is getting narrower. My dentist says that my case is one of the worst she has seen in her 12 years of practicing, so the office lady calls me weekly to tell me to schedule the appointment. I will do it, but I am nervous right now. How long might I wait for dental implants if I have gum disease? I want an implant denture. – Scott from NH

Scott,

If you have gum disease, your wait for an implant denture depends on these factors:

Your general health
Your history of advanced gum disease
The degree of bone loss
Your treatment plan from the periodontist to stop gum disease
Whether you need a bone graft

Dental implants are the optimal choice for replacing missing teeth. Your chewing efficiency will decrease by 50 percent if you choose removable dentures because they slide around as you chew.

Diagram of All-on-4 dental implants with the lower denture above the implants in the bone

Dental implants and implant dentures need healthy bones and gums to thrive.

You are already experiencing bone shrinkage. An implant overdenture will stimulate your jawbone and prevent shrinkage. If it continues, your jawbone will no longer support your facial muscles, and you will experience facial collapse.

A periodontist specializes in gum health and dental implants. Schedule an appointment with the periodontist to thoroughly evaluate your physical and oral health. You can expect a 3D CT scan to measure your bone volume and determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants.

Regardless of the treatment options for replacing missing teeth, your gums must be healthy first. Otherwise, they will neither support a removable denture nor an implant overdenture. A periodontist will help you control gum disease and prevent it from further loosening your teeth and destroying your jawbone.

When your gums are healthy enough, the specialist will coordinate your care with a cosmetic dentist to give you a natural-looking denture for the implants.

Atlanta periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey sponsors this post.

Why Would New Implant Dentures Have a Bothersome Smell?

Posted on May 24, 2024 by AllSmiles.

My husband has six new titanium dental implants and a temporary denture. Since he got the implant dentures, his breath smells like rubber when I am near him. I have chemical sensitivities and wonder whether the implant posts or the acrylic teeth are the issue. Other than asking my husband to go through the misery of getting new implants, what else can we do? Thanks. Kyra

Kyra,

We will explain whether the titanium posts, temporary acrylic teeth, or trapped food debris could be causing the issue.

What Can Cause Breath Odor After Getting New Dental Implants?

Upper implant-supported denture

Titanium dental implants are unlikely to emit a noticeable odor. Since implant posts are beneath the gumline, you shouldn’t be able to smell them. However, if your periodontist discovers that the culprit is the titanium, removing and replacing them would involve surgery, bone grafting, and, ultimately, new implants (likely zirconia).

Odor from Acrylic Dentures

Temporary acrylic dentures might cause an odor on breath. Acrylic can have a slight smell that should dissipate once a dentist places the final denture.

Odor from Food Debris

Food particles trapped around the implant site, especially under temporary dentures, can decompose and cause a foul odor. A water flosser is an effective way to flush out debris. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide can also help eliminate food particles and neutralize odor. Be careful not to use it for over a few weeks because it can contribute to oral yeast infections.

Seeking a Second Opinion

You mentioned the odor from your husband’s dental implants is bothersome, but is it triggering a sensitivity reaction? Does it make you feel tired or cause other reactions you typically experience with strong smells? The answer could offer another clue to the source.

If an odor from dentistry work is causing a reaction and your dentist can’t pinpoint the cause, consider getting a second opinion from periodontist (dental implant specialist). They may be able to offer additional insights and solutions.

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

My Dad Lost a Denture Twice in 7 Months

Posted on December 25, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dad has been staying with us since July 2019. He has mild dementia at age 75 but is basically healthy otherwise. Last week was the second time he lost a denture in seven months. We love having him around. However, I’m unsure what to do if he continues to lose his denture. He has upper and lower dentures and has the lower denture twice. Is there a protection plan for oral appliances or something we can negotiate with a lab if we must buy dentures more frequently? I don’t think insurance will keep paying if losing his dentures becomes a habit. Thank you. Kelsea from NJ

Kelsea,

We understand your concerns.

Although you may get a warranty plan for the breakage of oral appliances, it is unlikely that you can get coverage for lost appliances. There is another more effective option you can consider for your dad—particularly if he is otherwise in good health.

What Can You Do About Repeatedly Losing Dentures?

All-on-4 dental implants

If you or someone you love repeatedly loses their denture, you can consider dental implants to lock it in place. A periodontist can surgically place four to six implants in the jawbone and attach dentures to them.

Look for a periodontist (teeth, gums, and dental implant specialist) who partners with an artistic cosmetic dentist. Your dad can receive stable, natural-looking dentures. You will no longer have to worry about him losing them. The implant dentures will also save future inconvenience and money because they prevent the jawbone from shrinking. When all a person’s teeth are missing, the jawbone shrinks, eventually leading to a shrunken or shriveled facial appearance, making it difficult to keep dentures in.

Schedule a consultation with a periodontist. After an exam and CT scan, the doctor will explain options for stabilizing your father’s denture with implants.

Atlanta periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey sponsors this post.

Will I Need Bone Grafting for Implant Dentures?

Posted on September 29, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I had never heard of a buccal bone until I told my dentist that I was thinking about getting implants for my denture. My dentist is doing a treatment plan for my dentures and implants. I cannot afford implants right now, so we are doing the work in phases. Although I trust my dentist, I am concerned that he might be adding services that I do not need. My dentist says my buccal bone is thin, and I might need a bone graft before I get implants. Does what my dentist is saying my sense? And how do I know if my buccal bone is thin?

Thank you for your question.

What Is the Buccal Bone?

The buccal bone is a component of the bone structure that contains tooth sockets and supports your teeth.

How Does the Buccal Bone Affect Dental Implant Placement?

You will need enough jawbone volume to support dental implants and stabilize implant denture or hybrid denture. If your buccal bone plate is thin or weak, it will not support dental implants for the long term. Your dentist recommends a bone graft procedure to ensure your implants have enough bone to fuse with and remain stable.

It takes three to four months for a graft to heal before you can receive dental implants. Your dentist will factor that time into your treatment plan.

What If You Refuse a Bone Graft?

If you refuse a bone graft, your dentist or oral surgeon will likely refuse to place dental implants because implants that lack bone volume can loosen or fail. Also, if irritation results in an infection, it threatens your oral health.

How to Know If Your Buccal Plate Is Thin

You can ask your dentist to show you the 3D CT scan of the bone and its thinness. You can send the digital scan to a skilled implant dentist or oral surgeon to examine and give you a second opinion.

Atlanta periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey sponsors this post.

Is It Best for Me to Get Tooth Extractions and Dentures?

Posted on July 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

If I lost most of my upper teeth, is it best to keep them or get them extracted for dentures? I’m currently wearing a cheap partial denture for my top teeth, and I’ve worn partial dentures since 2001. I’ve always hated the feel of my partial denture. Will a complete upper denture be more comfortable than my partial denture, even if I keep the two teeth? I don’t want to spend more than $5000 or $6000, but I think it’s worth it because I am only 62 and socially active with sports and non-profit organizations. Thank you. Caleb from Hoboken, NJ

Caleb,

Dr. Pumphrey would need to examine your mouth, teeth, X-rays, and other diagnostics to give you an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis. But we will provide you with some principles to consider.

Should You Get Tooth Extractions and Dentures?

Upper implant-supported denture

Whether you should get tooth extractions and dentures depends on how many teeth remain, their condition, and how keeping them would affect your oral health.

It’s better to save natural teeth

It is usually best to save natural teeth that will not harm oral or overall health.
When most of your upper or lower teeth are missing, eating stresses them.

A complete upper denture is more comfortable than a lower one

Suction keeps a complete upper denture in place, so it does not move around as much as a lower denture.
A well-made upper complete removable denture is gentler on your teeth than a partial denture and a few remaining natural teeth.
Severe underbite puts more stress on lower teeth.

Your jawbone resorbs when all your teeth are missing

Teeth stimulate and preserve the jawbone. When all your teeth are missing, the jawbone shrinks.
When your lower jawbone shrinks, sharp ridges form and make wearing a denture uncomfortable. You will still have the suction to keep the denture in place. An upper denture—even with severe bone loss—is more comfortable.
Within 10 to 20 years, you will lack enough jawbone to support your facial muscles, and your face will sag.

What Can You Expect from Treatment Options?

You will need to schedule an appointment with a periodontist for an examination and 3-D CT scan to determine your treatment options.

Best clinical treatment – A specialist can replace your missing upper teeth with an implant-supported denture. Although the cost will exceed your budget, a snap-on denture is the most affordable implant denture. Dental implants anchor your denture and stimulate your jawbone to prevent further shrinkage. Your denture will feel stable and comfortable.
Alternative treatment – Your periodontist can extract your remaining upper teeth and replace them with a complete removable denture. It will look and feel better than your partial denture. It will be easier to speak and eat with a complete denture. If your budget allows it, a periodontist can place two or more dental implants to secure your denture in the future.

Schedule a consultation with a periodontist who will partner with a cosmetic dentist for your denture. Your denture will look natural, and you will get quality results if you decide to get implants.

Atlanta periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey sponsors this post.

My Dentures Don’t Extend Back Far Enough, So I’m Chewing on My Gums

Posted on June 26, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I planned with my dentist to get upper and lower overdentures in phases. I would get the new dentures fitted for implants in six months. The problem is that my lower denture doesn’t work well. When I chew, I can feel myself biting down on my gums in the area where I had wisdom teeth, and I expressed my concern when my dentist checked my bite. I have so much anxiety about this. I have an appointment with my dentist next week to discuss it, but his mood is unpredictable, so I don’t know what to expect. Will I need new dentures? Shouldn’t the denture go back farther? Thanks. Tasha

Tasha,

Although removable dentures are somewhat uncomfortable for most people, they should not affect your chewing, as you described.

How Far Back in Your Mouth Should a Denture Fit?

A denture should fit at least to the area of extracted wisdom teeth, if not to the retromolar pad, just beyond the wisdom teeth. However, a denture covering too much of the retromolar pad can interfere with your upper and lower denture.

What If a Denture Is Too Short?

If a denture is too short and does not extend far enough in your mouth, your dentist must take new impressions of your mouth and redo the denture. If you have already paid the dentist, he may resist your request for a refund. Also, consider that your dentist may not understand your concerns and how to correct them. Still, you can express your dissatisfaction, even getting a second opinion from another dentist to gather evidence of a faulty dental impression.

How to Ensure a Denture Extends Back Enough

A dentist who wants to ensure your denture extends far enough in your mouth will begin with a preliminary impression. A stock tray for denture impressions will register the retromolar area behind extracted wisdom teeth. A dentist will make an accurate impression by gently pinching your cheek and asking you to move your tongue.

Compare the pictures on this page of a denture impression tray versus a dental impression tray for natural teeth. The denture impression tray has these benefits:

Extends farther back in your mouth to register the retromolar area
Registers as much of the lower jaw as possible
Helps the denture extend as far back as possible, increasing stability

If you don’t have success with your dentist, consider getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist. You may need a new denture to get a proper fit for dental implants. If you need to pay for a new denture, speak with a new dentist and periodontist about an overdenture or All-on-4 dental implants.

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

How Long Will It Take to Get My Teeth Pulled and Dentures?

Posted on March 28, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My teeth are ruined. I have eight missing teeth, and half of the ones left are no good. I’m tired of checking options for partial dentures and single implants. It will be cheaper and less stressful for me to get all my teeth pulled and get dentures. I am concerned about how long it will take and how long I might be without teeth. How long will it all take? Thanks. Trent

Trent,

Thank you for contacting Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta about getting all your teeth pulled and dentures.

How Long Will It Take to Get Your Teeth Pulled and Dentures?

All-on-4 dental implants will keep your denture in place

How long it takes to get your teeth pulled and get dentures depends on several factors, including the following:

Your oral health – Before tooth removal, your dentist will evaluate your gum and bone health. For example, a dentist will want to treat gum disease before recommending other treatments that can aggravate it. You need good oral health to support wearing dentures.
Your denture choice – You will choose denture quality and denture teeth. The most natural-looking dentures take longer for a dental lab to craft. Your dentist can provide temporary dentures while you wait for the final ones.
Your dentist’s treatment philosophy – Your dentist will develop a treatment plan and discuss the timeline for getting dentures. It may take three to six months before you can wear a denture. Some patients qualify for immediate dentures.
Whether you choose to support your denture with implants – After years of missing teeth, your jawbone shrinks beneath the spaces. If you want to anchor your dentures with dental implants, your dentist will include bone grafting in your treatment plan. A bone graft builds up the bone for supporting implants and ensures your denture will be stable. A technique like All-on-4 dental implants may help you get implant dentures without bone grafting. Implant dentures help prevent facial sagging.

We recommend consulting with a dentist about tooth removal and dentures. You can also ask about dental implants that anchor your denture and support your long-term oral health. Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist (gum and implants specialist) for dental implant surgery.

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

Are All-On-4 Implants Removable?

Posted on April 21, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I had consultations with two dentists who recommend All-on-4 implants. Recently, I saw a third dentist who recommended six to eight implants because I would get better coverage for bone stimulation, and my denture would be locked in place. But more implants might mean that I need a bone graft and have more healing time. If I choose All-on-4 but change my mind, can I get the implants removed and switched to six or eight? – Thank you. Nathan from Augusta

Nathan,

Thank you for your question. You deserve detailed answers that Dr. Pumphrey could provide only after an examination and reviewing the 3-D CT scan of your oral anatomy. We recommend that you ask each implant dentist for more details about their proposed treatment. However, we will answer your question in general.

Are All-on-4 Implants Removable?

All-on-4 implants are a fixed overdenture attached to four dental implants. Only a periodontist or specialist can remove the denture. And only a periodontist or specialist can remove the implants. A periodontist or specialist can review your 3-D CT scan and explain options for increasing the number of implants to support your denture. But you do not want a doctor to remove healthy implants. And you will not need to remove All-on-4 implants to increase to six or eight implants.

Increasing from All-on-4 to All-on-6 or 8

If you want to increase from All-on-4 to six or eight implants, a specialist will review your 3-D CT scan to determine whether you have enough bone volume to support implants. If you do not, the periodontist will recommend bone grafting. A bone graft can take three to six months to heal before it is ready to support implants.

Before choosing how many implants you want to support a denture, consult with a periodontist, and ask questions about what it would take to place six to eight implants now versus later. Also, ask about implant stability with four versus six to eight implants.

The following factors may affect your decision:

You may need bone grafting before you can get more implants.
You will have three to six months of healing after bone grafting and three to four months of recovery after implant surgery.
After surgery to get more implants, you must resume a soft-food diet again.
If you decide to get six to eight implants, delaying the process will cost more time and money.

Please write down your questions and concerns before a consultation with a periodontist and take the time to weigh them carefully.

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

Could I Have Complications with Extractions and a Hybrid Denture?

Posted on February 17, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My teeth are so bad that I am thinking about getting the 12remaining ones extracted. Then, I would like implant dentures. I think it would make my life easier. I am reading online about extractions, and some people say that holes left after extractions are sensitive to warm food. Why is that a complication? And my second question is something I read about on Reddit about some people getting extractions and then a hybrid denture. I didn’t explain the explanation on how that type of denture works. Will you explain, please? Thank you—Nellie from Ft. Lauderdale.

Nellie,

Thank you for your questions.

Complications After Tooth Extractions

Your recovery after tooth extractions should be progressive. Complications after tooth extractions can result from these factors:

Exposed tooth roots on nearby teeth
Smoking before or after extractions
Failure to finish prescribed antibiotics
Failure to follow post-surgery instructions closely

Tooth sockets are sensitive and swollen after extraction. If your sockets become sensitive to warm food, it may be due to an exposed root of a neighboring tooth. Mild sensitivity may not be a severe problem, but your doctor should check it. Persistent irritation can lead to infection. When an issue occurs, you should contact your periodontist right away to report it.

What Is a Hybrid Denture?

A hybrid denture is an arch of replacement teeth supported by dental implants instead of resting on your gums. Hybrid dentures do not cover the palate or roof of your mouth. Your denture will screw onto dental implants, and only your dentist or periodontist can remove the denture. Your periodontist will surgically place four to six implants in your jawbone. After several months of healing, your dentist will attach your custom denture to the implants. Meanwhile, you will wear a temporary denture.

What Are the Advantages of a Hybrid Denture?

A hybrid denture has several advantages, including:

Comfort – Implants—not your gums—will support the denture. So, you do not have to worry about them making your gums or bone sore.
Easy hygiene – You will brush the denture while it is in your mouth instead of removing it to clean.
Better function – It is easier and enjoyable to speak, talk, and socialize when you know your denture is solid and stable and will not slip, click, or fall out.
Long lasting – Your dental implants can last a lifetime, but you will need to replace the dentures attached to them. If you get quality dentures, they will last five to eight years.

If you are interested in a hybrid denture, schedule a consultation with a periodontist. After an exam, the specialist will explain whether your teeth are savable and discuss treatment options.

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