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Duluth, GA 30097

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Is there a Soft Denture?

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I have a denture and it is driving me bananas. I have a strong gag reflex and the hard plate is making it hard for me to get through my day with teeth in. I am hoping there is such a thing as a soft denture that will make it easier for me to handle this.

Judy

Dear Judy,

dentures

 

There is not such a thing as a soft denture, but there is something like a soft lining. These can be used to line the inside of the denture and are helpful for patients who have bony ridges. This protects the ridge of their jawbone from getting sores. They help the lower denture to become more comfortable. They are more expensive and do not last very long so they will have to be replaced.

Unfortunately, this will not help with your upper denture. The plate is necessary to create a stable framework. There is not anything pliable that will work in that case.

The best solution for you would be to get fixed implant dentures. This entails having some dental implants surgically placed, then your dentures can be anchored to them. This will prevent you from needing that plate at all because the implants retain the dentures for you. They will be completely secure.

An even bigger benefit is it will prevent facial collapse. When your teeth were first removed, your body recognized that and began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone. It does this because it realizes that you no longer need to support the teeth and it wasn’t to be as efficient with the resources in your body as possible. After about ten or so years, you will no longer have enough minerals in your jawbone to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse.

The dental implants placed in your body, serve as prosthetic tooth roots. This signals to your body that you still have tooth roots, which means it will preserve your jawbone in order to keep your teeth in place.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Dentist Can’t Match My Implant Crown because I’m “Between Shades”

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I have a dental implant that was placed on a front tooth. While waiting for the healing time to take place I wore a dental flipper. It didn’t completely match the adjacent front tooth but I knew it was temporary and that the porcelain crown would be better so I tried not to think about it too much. Unfortunately, my experience with the dental crown hasn’t been much better. I’ve asked my dentist to re-do it twice and now he is getting frustrated with me. He said the problem is that my teeth are between the two shades offered for dental crowns. Is there no way to get an exact match on this? Am I being too picky? It would not matter to me nearly as much if it wasn’t a front tooth.

Cassie

Dear Cassie,

Color map for a tooth

You are not being too picky. It sounds like your dentist is used to doing a lot of general dentistry but does not have any extensive understanding of the aesthetic side of dentistry. There are shade guides that dentists use to match dental crowns to tooth color. However teeth are rarely exactly like the shade guides. On a tooth that is toward the back, this is not a big deal because close is enough with the shadows from our mouth hiding the minute differences.

A front tooth is different. A skilled dentist would not just send the lab a simple shade reference. They would send a color map along with it similar to what I have above. This uses different tints to help the lab mimic the variations that occur in our natural teeth. Your dentist may not be able to do this. It takes some skill and cosmetic training. He may not even have the material necessary to help him derive the correct color mapping.

So you know, when it comes to front teeth, even the most skilled cosmetic dentist will have to do several tries. They are harder than your other teeth because they are so exposed to the light. However, it sounds like your dentist isn’t trying to get an exact match and has just given up. In that case, you will be better served getting a refund for the crown part of your dental implant procedure and having that done by another dentist who is willing to put in the necessary work.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Help! My Dentures Won’t Stay In?

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Can you tell me if there is a solution to a problem I’m having? I’ve been in dentures for 20 years. Recently, I can’t even keep them in with those adhesives. I went to see a dentist and they told me I didn’t have a ridge anymore and that was part of having dentures. Is there any way to fix this?

Laura

Dear Laura,

An image showing before and after facial collapse

What you are dealing with is known as facial collapse and while your dentist is right that it is part of dentures, he left out the solution. This occurs because when your teeth are removed, your body immediately recognizes that. In an effort to be as efficent with your body’s resources, it begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body. The problem with that for you is that your jawbone begins to shrink. After ten or so years, you no longer have enough jawbone left to retain your dentures because the ridge is no longer there to hold them in place.

That being said, there is a solution. I am not sure why your dentist didn’t tell you about it unless he doesn’t know how to do the procedures necessary. However, he could have referred you to someone who does.

Fixing Facial Collapse

The first thing that needs to happen is the building up of the bone. This can be done with a bone grafting procedure. Once that is healed, you have a couple of choices. You now have your ridge back. You can just get new dentures. However, the whole cycle of facial collapse will start over again.

If you want to permanently keep that bone in place, I recommend you get dental implants placed. Then, your dentist can anchor the dentures onto them. This is known is implant overdentures. Not only, will you never have to worry about facial collapse, but your dentures will never move again. They will be completely secure. You’ll find your quality of life goes up tremendously.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Is a CT Scan Truly Necessary for All-on-4 Dental Implants

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I am considering getting dental implants, specifically the all-on-4 dental implants. I’ve done a ton of x-rays and such and now the dentist wants me to get a CT scan. Is this really necessary or is this more of a way for him to line his pockets? I don’t want to spend unnecessary money and I certainly don’t want more radiation than is necessary.

Billy

Dear Billy,

all-on-4 dental implants

I’m glad you wrote. It is great that you chose dental implants as your tooth replacements. They are top of the line and the closest thing to having healthy, natural teeth in your mouth. Generally, all-on-4 is used for people who are already dealing with some bone loss. If that ends up not being you, it may be in your best interest to get implant overdentures. With all-on-4, if one implant fails, the entire thing has to be redone. However, that is not the case with an implant overdenture. Now to your question.

Importance of a CT Scan

Diagnostics on Your Bone Capacity

In order for dental implants to stay in place, the surrounding bone needs to integrate with the implant in a process known as osseointegration. However, if you don’t have enough bone then, you need to look at your options.

Finding the Best Procedure

In some cases, there isn’t too much bone loss and you can still get the all-on-4 procedure. However, in some cases, there is enough bone gone that you would need to do a procedure to replace it known as bone grafting. This will enable you to get overdentures if you are interested or you could stick with the all-on-4.

Getting the Correct Landscape

Getting dental implants of any type is a 3dimensional procedure. X-rays alone will not give the dentist enough information. They need 3D images of your mouth and jaws, including close to the nasal cavity. This will give them adequate measurements for safe placement of your implants. Dentists who take short cuts will often end up misplacing the implants or puncturing the nasal cavity.

So, in your place, I would definitely get the CT scan.
This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Why Do Dentist Want Me to Have Dentures?

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I have a disaster of a smile. I always need a ton of work on my teeth. I am willing to invest in them and fix them, but it seems like all my dentist ever recommends is the most aggressive treatment possible. I have two teeth he just wants to pull and put in partial dentures. I’m only 32 and I feel like my life is over if I’m already getting dentures. Is there another option for me?

Patty

Dear Patty,

woman smiling with dentist behind her

The Best Dentists Try to Save Your Teeth

I’m going to tell you right off the bat that this is not going to be the best dentist for you. Some smiles are high maintenance. You can do everything right with your oral hygiene but they still end up needing a lot of work. Just as teeth vary, so do dentists. You have some that will just not want to put in the effort to deal with your smile. Others will make every effort to save as many teeth as possible.

My first recommendation for you is to get a second opinion on whether or not these two teeth can be saved. It may be you will not even need to worry about a tooth replacement. For argument’s sake, though, let’s say the teeth cannot be saved. Your dentist was under an ethical obligation to give you all the options available to you — not just the easiest for him.

There Are Other Tooth Replacement Options

Removable partial dentures are probably the worst option for you. If we want to go to the other end of the spectrum and tell you the best option, I would recommend dental implants. These are like having a healthy natural tooth in your mouth again. Though, they are pricey and surgery is required because they place a prosthetic root in your jaw to mimic your natural tooth. You’ll also want to find a dentist with post-doctoral training in dental implants because it is quite an advanced procedure.

If you decide that is out of range for you, the next best option is a dental bridge. This will suspend a false tooth between two dental crowns. Of course, that means the two adjacent teeth will have to be crowned, but if they happen to need work anyway, they may be a great option for you.

Find a dentist willing to put in the work and give you all your options.
This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

16 year old Still Has Baby Canine Teeth

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I am 16 and still have my top two baby canine teeth. They look really stupid next to my big teeth. Is it possible to take the baby teeth out and replace them with dental implant teeth that are the right size?

Allie

Dear Allie,

metal and zirconia dental

My first question is to know whether or not you’ve been under the care of a dentist as you were growing up? If so, he or she was quite negligent in not taking care of this for you. Do you know whether or not you have adult canine teeth beneath the baby teeth? That would determine what solution is best. If you’re not sure, the first thing you will need is a good set of x-rays.

If you do have your adult teeth but they just haven’t erupted yet, then the most common reason for that is that they are impacted. You’ll need to have the baby teeth extracted and then have an orthodontist help you get them in the right position to erupt properly. Dental Implants will not work in that situation because you have teeth that are already there.

There are occasions where you’ll have congenitally missing teeth. In that case, dental implants will be a great permanent solution after your jaw has fully developed. What you can do in the meantime is have the baby teeth extracted and get your other teeth back into alignment in order to make room for the adult teeth. Then, when there is enough space for the adult teeth, you can get a temporary tooth replacement. Don’t spend a lot of money on that because you won’t need it for too long. I would get something like a dental flipper.

Once your jaw is fully developed, it will be time to get that permanent replacement. Make sure the dentist has significant post doctoral training in dental implants. Dental school is not enough for such an advanced procedure. Three great post-doctoral institutes for this will be the Dawson Academy, The Pankey Institute, or The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Titanium Versus Zirconia Dental Implants

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I have concerns about metal being used in a body. I already have two metal implants and now found out that I will need another one. My understanding is there are now non-metal implants. But my dentist doesn’t feel these have been around enough yet to warrant using them yet. Is there a reason why I shouldn’t? Should I switch out my older implants for these newer ones?

Carol

Dear Carol,

metal and zirconia dental

I am going to start with your last question first. Unless there is something wrong with the dental implants, I would not switch them out. Here is why. When your dental implants are removed they take some of the jawbone with it. That bone is essential for you to have a successful implant procedure, so before you can put the new implants in, you will have to have a bone grafting procedure in order to build back up that bone. Once that is healed, you can then have another surgery to place them. That is three additional procedures to replace successful dental implants. Each of those three procedures carry the risk of complications and failure. I would leave the succesful implants in place for as long as possible.

It is likely that your dentist’s concerns over the zirconia implants has to do with the lack of data we currently have on their longevity. The reason for that lack of data is they haven’t been around as long. We have tons of data on the titanium implants because they have been in use for decades. The zirconia are likely just as enduring, they just haven’t been around long enough to say that. Zirconia, nicknamed ceramic steel is certainly strong enough.

So, which should you get? Honestly, whichever one you want. However, I don’t want you thinking that the ones you have are dangerous to you. You mentioned concern over having metal in your body. Not only is titanium, the metal your current implants are made of, extraordinarily biocompatible, but our bodies need and use metals every day. One major example is our blood. If it doesn’t have enough iron, you become anemic, which can cause serious health problems.

If you do decide that you want the zirconia implants, my suggestion is that you do it with another dentist. Your current dentist does not seem comfortable wtih them and it is never a good idea to push a medical provider outside of their comfort level. You are better off finding a metal-free dentist who will have done this procedure quite a bit.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Marion, who tries to be the best dentist in Duluth, GA.

Losing Teeth Like Crazy

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I have pretty advanced gum disease and have already lost seven teeth. Is it possible for me to get dental implants to replace my teeth or will I be stuck with dentures?

Joe

Dear Joe,

Implant overdentures

Implant Overdentures

Dental implants are a great solution when you’ve lost your teeth. Anyone in good general health can usually get them. However, your gum disease will be an issue that will have to be addressed in order for this to be a successful option for you. In order to retain your dental implants, you need to have enough bone to integrate with the implants. Gum disease eats away at your bone structure, which is why you’ve been losing your teeth.

Here is my suggestion to give you the best outcome possible. Get serious about your gum disease treatment. Once that is handled, you will need to build back up the bone structure. There is an outpatient procedure known as bone grafting which can do that. Once you’ve healed from that, it will be time for your implants.

I know you’re probably thinking that is a lot of trouble to go through to get those implants. Maybe it would be easier to just get dentures? While it may seem easier at first, you will not feel that way with your quality of life. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Then, because there are no roots of your teeth any longer, your body will begin to resorb the minerals in your jawbone. This shrinks your jawbone to the point where you will no longer be able to keep your dentures in. The implants are worth it. They are like having healthy, natural teeth once again.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Implants after Dentures

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I have been in complete dentures for twelve years. I have never really liked them. Is it still possible for me to get dental implants or is it too late?

Mariella

Dear Mariella,

Implant overdentures

Implant Overdentures

Technically, it is never too late to get dental implants no matter how long you have been wearing dentures. The only issue may be how much bone structure you have lost in your jawbone. There is a nasty side effect with removable dentures that I hope your dentist warned you about. Once your teeth were removed, your body recognizes that you no longer have any teeth roots. In an effort to be as useful with your body’s resources as possible, it begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body. After ten to twenty years, you will have lost so much jawbone that you are no longer able to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse.

When you see a qualified implant dentist, he should do a round of diagnostics in order to determine how much bone structure you have. If you have lost too much, hope is not lost. There is a bone grafting procedure that will help to build up the bone in your jaw and allow you to get the dental implants you want.

It is important that you find a dentist who has the qualifications necessary to do this right. There are way too many dental implant horror stories. This is likely because dental implants are not really taught in dental school. It is such an advanced procedure that dentists really need to invest in significant post-doctoral training. Without that, you are at a much greater risk of serious complications.

I would look at some of Dr. Marion’s qualifications to get an idea of what type of implant dentist you need.

What your dentist will provide you with is between four and six dental implants. Then, once your bone has had time to integrate with the bone your dentist can anchor a denture to them. These are known as implant overdentures (pictured above). You will find that your quality of life goes up significantly once you have your implant overdentures. Not only will your teeth be more secure, but you will find your ability to eat skyrockets. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%, but once you add those implants, you can eat steak if you want to.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dr. David Marion.

Dentist Placed My Implant Knowing I Had Bone Issues

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I had been saving up for this dental implant for some time. My dentist knew this. I was so excited to finally have a permanent tooth there. I was horribly disappointed when I woke up from the surgery and my dentist told me he doesn’t think the implant would last. He also said he knew there wasn’t a ton of bone there to begin with but he thought he could “work around it”. Now he’s giving me the choice of taking it out and going with a dental bridge or leaving it there and seeing how long it lasts. I’ve completely lost faith in this dentist and wonder if you know what the best option is for me. Any advice will be appreciated.

Steve

Dear Steve,

illustration of a dental implant next to a tooth

What your dentist did is completely unacceptable. If I understand you correctly your dentist knew ahead of time there wasn’t enough bone and placed the implant anyway. If that is correct, it is malpractice. Especially because there is a procedure that could have been done ahead of time to ensure you would have had enough bone to secure the dental implant for many years.

The good news is, you don’t have to settle for either of the options your dentist provided you with. If you still want a dental implant, you can get it. However, like you, I do not have confidence in your dentist. What I am going to recommend is you ask for a complete refund. He placed a dental implant knowing full well it would fail.

Then, I want you to see an experienced implant dentist. For instance, Dr. Marion is an Associate of The American Society of Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry (ASIRD). Whoever you choose, make sure they have post-doctoral training in implant dentistry. It’s not something adequately taught in dental school.

The procedure I mentioned earlier is called bone grafting. Once that is done you will be ready for that dental implant you have been saving for all this time. And this time, it should work.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.