Archives for April 2023

Why Are My Denture Teeth Off-Center?

Posted on April 25, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I am almost in tears. My denture teeth are off-center and look weird. I am 66 and lead an active life, but I need dentures. Genetically, I have bad teeth despite taking good care of them. I received my dentures in February of this year. After many conversations with my dentist, we agreed on the best option for my dentures. Quality teeth, the look, the color, we went through what I thought was every possible discussion and several try-ins to ensure that I got exactly what I wanted. When I tried on the denture, I noticed that the upper front teeth were off-center. No problem. We sent them back. That happened twice. The third time is not the charm because the teeth are still off-center. My jaws hurt, maybe from chewing or subconsciously trying to correct how the denture feels. What is my dentist missing? Thank you. Ngozi

Ngozi

Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group regarding your denture. Dr. Tostado or Dr. Karina Acuña would need to examine your denture to determine why your teeth are off-center, but we will review possible causes.

Why Are Your Denture Teeth Off-Center?

Factors that may cause denture teeth to look weird or off-center may include:

Faulty impressions or measurements of your mouth
Denture fabrication
Misplaced denture teeth
Denture quality

Can a Dentist Correct Off-Center Denture Teeth?

Diagram of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures

A misaligned bite can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort

A skilled prosthodontist can correct off-center dental teeth. Before requesting a final denture from a lab, a prosthodontist would evaluate the following while you are wearing the try-in denture:

How the denture teeth look
Lip fullness
Vertical dimension (your face length between your upper and lower jaw when your upper and lower teeth meet)
Your face shape
Your speech

We recommend getting a second opinion from a prosthodontist. Maybe your dentist’s measurements or the laboratory’s process affected your denture fit. You can schedule a consultation with one or two prosthodontists (tooth replacement specialists) to find one you are comfortable with. A prosthodontist will explain whether they can modify your denture or if you need a new one. It is essential to seek a resolution because the misalignment can contribute to TMJ disorder and increase jaw discomfort.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.

Why Is My New Implant Denture Loose?

Posted on April 14, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My implant denture felt fine when I got it last December, but now it feels loose. I have four dental implants, and the lower denture drifts to the right side of my mouth. My dentist told me four implants would not be as stable as six, but should the denture loosen in four months? I thought that getting implants would eliminate my problems with removable dentures, but now the implant dentures are uncomfortable. Will I need more implants to resolve this problem, or could something be wrong with the denture? – Thanks. Alex G.

Alex,

Both sides of your denture should still fit securely, even if four implants support it instead of six.

What Causes a Loose Implant Denture?

Factors that can contribute to a loose overdenture include the following:

Denture components – A snug fit requires denture components to fit precisely on dental implants.
Improper attachment to implants – Whether your denture snaps or screws onto dental implants, misaligned attachments in the denture base or misplaced dental implants can affect your denture fit.
Loose dental implants – If your jawbone is not integrated with the implants, their movement when you eat, speak, or yawn can cause a denture to shift.

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

Teeth-in-a-Day implant denture

A dentist must examine your denture and implants to determine why your overdenture is loose. You may require a 3-D CT scan to identify potential causes around the implants in your jawbone. After a comprehensive exam, a dentist can determine whether your denture, dental implants, or both contribute to your concerns.

Please do not delay an appointment for an exam. If your dentist cannot resolve your concerns, we recommend getting a second opinion from a dentist with advanced training in implantology.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

Dental Implants Infection Won’t Improve

Posted on April 4, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I broke 4 teeth in an accident when my face hit the steering wheel. They have horribly broken almost to the gumline, so it was easy for me to decide on dental implants. I chose a dentist here whose cost was $3000 less than the other 3 quotes I got from other dentists. I am almost in tears and 2 months into an infection that won’t disappear. Somehow, I convinced myself that the doctor was looking out for me and that the other dentists were trying to make a profit. Now the dentist is telling me that my implants need to be redone. The dental implants were cheap because the price was so low, but now I see they are also cheap. I don’t know what went wrong. The dentist said he would fix it at all no cost, but I am so afraid that my mouth will never heal. What should I do? Thank you. Vaibhav

Vaibhav,

Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group in San Antonio regarding your dental implants.

What Can You Do When a Dental Implant Infection Lingers?

When a dental implant infection does not improve, we recommend getting a second opinion from an independent, experienced implant dentist. If your dental implants have failed and a dentist must replace them, something went wrong in one of these areas:

Planning
Placement
Implant quality

Dental implant

It is possible that your dentist made more than one mistake.

Look for a dentist with advanced implant training and proven experience in proper and successful implant placement. You will discover what went wrong with your current dental implants and what a dentist must do to correct the situation. Although your dentist offers to replace the implants at no cost, it may cause more discomfort and other concerns with your oral health that will be even more costly.

A second opinion will help you decide what to do in the best interests of your oral health.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.