Archives for July 2022

How Much Denture Adhesive Should I Use?

Posted on July 31, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I’ve worn dentures for 20 years, and it seems that I can’t keep my denture firmly in place for more than a few hours. How much adhesive should I use? Is it too late for dental implants? – Thank you. Monroe from St. Louis

Monroe,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Tostado’s office. People who have worn dentures for years share your concerns and ask the same questions.

How Much Denture Adhesive Should You Use?

Denture adhesives, such as Adhesadent Denture Adhesive Cream® (American Dental Association approved), recommend applying three to five evenly spaced, pea-sized drops to a clean, dry denture. Additional advice to maximize effectiveness includes:

Avoid getting adhesive on denture edges.
Rinse your mouth with warm water to moisten your gums before inserting your denture.
Bite down gently but firmly for at least twenty seconds.
Avoid eating anything for 30 minutes.
Clean and reapply denture adhesive after every meal if you need to continue wearing your denture for the day.

Too little or too much denture paste can prevent your denture from staying in place. After a few tries, you will understand how much adhesive to use for your denture. Some people take pictures of their denture base with the adhesive on it to compare which amount works best.

Is It Too Late for Dental Implants?

After years of wearing dentures, it is not too late to get dental implants. Securing a denture with two to six implants is the end of poor-fitting dentures and adhesives. Whether your jawbone shrinkage is minimal or extensive, an implant dentist offers solutions to help you get an implant overdenture. After an examination and a 3-D CT scan, the dentist will explain your options.

Implant denture with bone grafting

Your jawbone is the foundation for dental implants. If you have significant bone shrinkage, your implant dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure to build up the bone before you get implants. After the grafts heal, your dentist or an oral surgeon will place the implants and attach temporary teeth to them. The implants, not adhesive, will keep your denture in place.

All-on-4® dental implants

All-on-4 dental® implants, or Teeth-in-a-Day, use four dental implants to support a denture. Your dentist or surgeon will place the implants near the front of your jawbone with the two rear implants angled up to 45 degrees for more support and to minimize the need for bone grafting. Your implant dentist will attach temporary replacement teeth to the implants on the same day.

Diagram of Teeth-in-a-Day from San Antonio dentist Gilberto Tostado, DDS.

Teeth-in-a-Day implant denture

Schedule a consultation with an implant dentist to discuss your options for implant dentures and end your struggle with loose dentures and adhesives.

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

Should I Get Dental Implants or Braces First?

Posted on July 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I want to replace three missing teeth with implants, but also want Invisalign if I can afford it. Otherwise, I will settle for braces with clear brackets. Should I do dental implants or Invisalign first? Thank you. Tremaine in Mobile, AL

Tremaine,

Thank you for your question.

Should You Get Dental Implants or Braces First?

A single dental implant with labels for the screw, abutment, and crown

Braces will not move dental implants

If you wonder whether to get dental implants or braces first, consider the facts about how each treatment works and will affect the other. Ultimately, a dentist will recommend treatment options after an exam and a three-dimensional CT scan.

Dental Implants

After a dentist inserts implants, they fuse with your jawbone in three to six months.
Implant fixtures are titanium, although some are zirconia.
If you lack jawbone density, a dentist may recommend bone grafting.
Unlike natural teeth, implants do not contain ligaments that will stretch and move during orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, precisely aligns your teeth.
A dentist may use orthodontic treatment to move teeth and make room for dental implants.
Although braces will move your natural teeth, dental implants will not move. If you already have dental implants, a dentist must carefully plan your orthodontic treatment to ensure your implants do not damage your teeth.

Dental Implants After Braces – What Can You Expect?

In most cases, a dentist will recommend braces before dental implant surgery. As teeth move with treatment, they get damaged if they get too close to dental implants. Some patients need braces, although they already have dental implants. A skilled dentist will plan carefully to avoid damaging teeth and their roots.

Implant placement

Dental implants are rigid and anchored in your jawbone. If you do not have implants but want to replace missing teeth with them, a dentist will develop a treatment plan to match your goals.

Request a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

Schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to get natural-looking dental implant crowns. The dentist will coordinate your care for orthodontic treatment and dental implants for replacing missing teeth.

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

Are No-Prep Veneers Only for People with Small Teeth?

Posted on July 22, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I have dental anxiety and am concerned about the pain of preparing my teeth. Do no-prep veneers work only for people with small teeth? If I can find a way to get veneers without the pain of tooth preparation, I would be relieved. – Thank you. Janai from Memphis, TN

Janai,

We will begin by answering a question that many people have about porcelain veneers because it can give you a positive view of the process even if your teeth require preparation.

Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?

Well-prepared and placed porcelain veneers do not hurt. Still, it takes the skill of an advanced cosmetic dentist to ensure you are comfortable before you begin treatment. A local anesthetic will give you a painless experience. Then, the dentist will prepare your teeth conservatively—removing only a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel—and avoid the layers beneath the enamel that may provoke sensitivity.

Are No-Prep Veneers Only for Small Teeth?

No-prep veneers are not for small teeth only. Still, not every case is eligible for no-prep veneers. A cosmetic dentist customizes your treatment plan based on your goals for your smile. Sometimes achieving natural-looking results and veneers that fit well from the biting edge to the gumline requires preparation. Factors that determine whether your teeth require preparation for porcelain veneers include:

Your smile goals
Whether teeth overlap
Teeth position
Size
Shape
Teeth alignment

Although some brands of porcelain veneers are advertised as requiring no preparation, skilled cosmetic dentists work to provide highly aesthetic results, even if it requires preparing your teeth. For example, if a tooth is crooked, a portion of it may stick out. A cosmetic dentist will trim it to harmonize with the position of other teeth. At the end of treatment, people will notice your beautiful, natural-looking smile, and they will not know that you have porcelain veneers.

Do You Have Dental Anxiety?

If you have dental anxiety and are interested in porcelain veneers, schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist. In addition to explaining your options for veneers, the dentist will listen to understand your anxiety triggers. The dental team will try to avoid your anxiety triggers and enjoy the experience of getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers.

San Antonio, Texas, prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

Porcelain veneers before-and-after photos for info on no-prep veneers and whether veneers hurt

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Tostado’s patient