Implant Overdentures Archives - Page 2 of 2

Implant Overdentures with Metal Allergies

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I wanted to get some advice from you. I am currently wearing dentures and hate them. I want to switch to implant overdentures but have been told that I am allergic to nickel, mercury, and cobalt. I can’t wear jeans that have metal buttons or snaps. Is it possible for me to get implant overdentures with those limitations?

Jack

Dear Jack,

There are many denture wearers that are looking for options. The good news is, you will still be able to get implant overdentures with your allergies. In fact, you’ll have two options. Before we go into that, though, I want to check something. You did not mention how long you have been wearing dentures. That will have an impact as to how quickly you can switch.

When your teeth were first removed, your body began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone because it sensed that you no longer had any teeth roots there. The longer you wear dentures, the less jawbone you have. Unfortunately, you need that jawbone in order to retain the dental implants for the overdentures. When you see an implant dentist, they should do a lot of diagnostic x-rays. Make sure they also include a CT scan. That is important. Those diagnostics can tell whether you still have enough jawbone.

If you don’t, there is a procedure that can be done. You’ll need some bone grafting in order to build back up the necessary bone. Once that is done and has had time to heal, you will be ready for those dental implants.

Dental Implants with Allergies

Traditional dental implants are made from titanium, which are highly biocompatible. They have been used for decades in the human body as prosthetics for things like hips, bones, joints, and teeth roots. It would be foolish to say no one has an allergy to titanium, but I will say it would be extraordinarily rare for you to be. The allergies you listed above, with the exception of mercury (which most patients try to avoid anyway as it is toxic), are fairly common metal allergies. You should not have any problems with titanium.

If you are still concerned, there is a second option. There is a newer material being used for dental implants called zirconia. This is so strong it is dubbed liquid steel. The only downside is that not as many dentists offer it because it has not been around that long. Your best option would be to look for a metal-free dentist or a holistic dentist if that is the type of implant you would like to use.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

My Dentures Will Not Stay In

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I have been in dentures for close to sixteen years. Lately, they just won’t stay in. Have they just been overstretched over the years? Is there a way to get them back to their original shape or do I have to replace them?

Greg

Dear Greg,

Implant overdentures

Your dentures have not stretched. Instead, your jawbone has shrunk. The amount of time that you have been wearing your dentures is about the amount of time necessary for facial collapse to set in. When your teeth were removed, your body immediately began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. It does this because it realizes you don’t have teeth any more and it is trying to be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible.

The only way to fix this is a two-step procedure. First, you will need to have some bone grafting done. This is a procedure that builds back up the bone structure in your jawbone. Once that is done, You will have a choice. Option one is to just get new dentures made. While your cheapest option, bear in mind that you will start the same cycle of bone resorption again and will be back in the same position you are today in around the same amount of time.

A better option, if you can afford it, is to have six to eight dental implants placed and then anchor a new denture to them. This is known as implant supported dentures. Not only will this protect you from facial collapse, but you will find your quality of life goes up dramatically as well.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

Can I get a refund for an overdenture that was late and doesn’t fit?

Posted on February 15, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In 2006 I received four dental implants and overdentures. I have been so happy with the results. After 15 years, my dentures looked worn, so I scheduled consultations with three cosmetic dentists for a new overdenture. My family dentist does good work, but I am not confident about his cosmetic skills. Among the dentists that I consulted with, I chose one recommended by a coworker. The dentist told me that I would receive my new denture in three to four weeks.

The overdenture was ready in 4.5 weeks. Three weeks ago, I went to the office for my dentist to fit the denture. He struggled to get the denture on the implants so finally, he applied a lot of force that I thought would crack my jaw. The overdenture felt so stiff that I had difficulty eating chicken noodle soup that evening. At bedtime, it took almost 45 minutes to remove the overdentures. My suspicion was right – I could not get it back on the next morning. The receptionist told me that my dentist was at another practice two hours away, so I saw a different dentist who agreed that the attachment holes were drilled incorrectly, and one side of the denture is lower than the other. The dentist said that he would order new gaskets for the attachments, which should resolve the issue. But the problem is still not resolved. My denture was uncomfortable and very difficult to take off and put on. Now my dentist says that he may need to redo the denture.

I am nervous about the resolution because I share caregiving responsibilities for my mom, who lives out of state. I will leave in two weeks, and I will be away for at least two months. I do not want to drag this issue through spring and summer. I did not get what I asked for, so my thoughts are to ask for a refund. Will my asking for a refund complicate matters? I feel like I need to start all over.

Thank you! Mercedes from GA

Mercedes,

Thank you for submitting your question to us. Your situation has legal and dental concerns.

Is your dentist liable?

Your dentist agreed to complete your overdenture in three to four weeks. Even in 4.5 weeks, he did not deliver an overdenture that functions correctly, so he broke the time and quality agreement. You are entitled to a refund. But that does not mean your dentist will be willing to refund you.

How to encourage your dentist to issue a refund

Speak respectfully with your dentist when asking for a refund. Follow the steps below, only doing what is necessary until you get results. Hopefully, your dentist will cooperate before the final step.

Explain the agreement you had and how your dentist broke it.
Tell your dentist that you are dissatisfied with the work and will write negative online reviews about your experience.
If your dental insurance was involved in any aspect of your treatment, you could file a complaint with the insurance company.
If your dentist is uncooperative, you can file a complaint with the state dental board.
You can hire a malpractice attorney, but the cost involved may not be worth it.

Dental concerns

All-on-4 implant overdentures

Replacing an overdenture should take about three weeks. When a dentist cannot fit the denture over your implants, their experience with overdentures is questionable. Ordering new gaskets was not the solution, and we suspect that your dentist does not have an answer.

We suggest that you begin by finding an experienced implant dentist for a second opinion. After the dentist identifies the issue, ask your current dentist for a refund based on the facts. But ask nicely, explaining that you understand he is in a difficult position but so are you. If your dentist resists, then ask about his experience with implant overdentures. You can proceed with the steps we listed about how to encourage your dentist to issue a refund.

Best wishes. Please let us know when you have a success story to share.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado of San Antonio, TX, sponsors this post.

Can I cover the metal clasps on my partial denture?

Posted on November 30, 2020 by AllSmiles.

After wearing partial dentures for the past 7 years, I am so tired of the metal clasps on my teeth. My smile looks okay, but it would look better if I didn’t have shiny metal rings around my teeth. Is there a way to cover the metal clasps with gum-colored plastic? When this partial denture wears out, am I right that an implant overdenture is a better option. I understand it’s much more expensive, but I can start saving for it and finally get some relief from these clasps.

Thank you, Melanie

Melanie,

A Valplast denture replaces several missing teeth, but an implant overdenture replaces an entire arch of teeth

Unfortunately, covering the metal clasps with plastic will make them thick and uncomfortable around your teeth. They probably won’t fit around your teeth. And if they did work, plastic coating will decrease the flexibility of the clasps, and they will bend or break under stress. Your dentist might be able to sandblast the clasps to make them less shiny and noticeable. If your dentist can’t do it in the office, a dental lab can adjust the clasps.

If it is almost time to replace your partial denture, a Valplast partial denture has plastic clasps that are pink or transparent. The gum color is less obvious. Although the clasps are not as strong as metal ones, they look better. You can see an example of a Valplast denture on this page.

What About an Implant Overdenture?

An implant overdenture replaces an entire arch of teeth. If you are missing all your upper or lower teeth, it might be an option for you. But you can ask your dentist about an implant bridge to replace several missing teeth in a row. Although it is more expensive than a partial denture, it’s a long-lasting, natural-looking solution. You can consider it when it’s time to replace your current partial denture.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado of San Antonio, TX, sponsors this post.

Should I save my last three teeth?

Posted on September 23, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Although I all but 3 of my bottom teeth, I will soon only have three upper teeth left. My dentist recommends extracting the other few remaining teeth because they are worn out from gum disease and stress from a partial denture. I got a second opinion from another dentist who gave me the option of keeping the three teeth upper teeth because they are mostly healthy and in the front of my mouth. He says that a partial denture will work. Now I need a third opinion, so I am writing to you. Won’t a full denture look and feel better than a partial denture. I have a budget, though, of about $6000, and that concerns me. I’m in my early 50s and would like a smile that looks natural. Max from Denver, CO

Max,

Dr. Tostado would need to examine your teeth and take x-rays for an accurate diagnosis. However, we will share some information that might help you determine your next steps.

Saving natural teeth

Whenever possible, it is usually better to save your natural teeth. Removable appliances, including a partial denture, are not anchored, will have some movement, and put stress on the anchor teeth. And with few remaining teeth, your jawbone will shrink everywhere that teeth are missing.

When few teeth are left

Eating and chewing put a lot of stress on your remaining teeth. Although your remaining teeth may look healthy, the force of your lower teeth against them is harmful.

What about a full denture?

Suction holds a full upper denture in place and makes it more comfortable and more stable than a lower denture, which rests on your gums. A complete denture is also more comfortable than a partial denture.

Protecting your long-term oral health

Whether you choose a partial denture or a removable complete denture, your jawbone will shrink if most or all your teeth are missing. After 10 or 20 years, so little jawbone is left that your facial muscles will sag, and you will experience facial collapse. Only the areas where teeth are left will be unaffected.

A thin lower jawbone makes it almost impossible to keep a denture in place. Some suction may remain for an upper denture, but bone shrinkage can still make you look older prematurely.

Implant-supported dentures

A snap-on denture is a removable implant overdenture

The healthiest long-term solution for a situation like yours is usually to replace teeth with an implant-supported partial denture or a full implant-supported denture. But either option would be beyond your budget. Although a dentist would need to take a 3-D CT scan to determine your options, two implants might be enough to add some stability to a denture. A CT scan reveals your bone structure and oral anatomy to reveal bone density and where to place implants.

If you have a strict budget, an upper removable complete denture is an acceptable solution. Unlike a partial denture, it won’t stress a few remaining teeth, and it will improve your comfort when eating.

We recommend getting a third in-person consultation and exam with a skilled implant dentist to discuss your options.

Gilberto Tostado, DDS of San Antonio, TX, sponsors this post.

Will My All-On-4 Dental Implants Fail Eventually?

Posted on May 8, 2020 by ectree.

Hello there,

About 10 years ago, my dentist recommended getting All-On-4 dental implants done. I was in my 50’s, but interested in a long-lasting smile. It was a rather intense and expensive process, but I was happy with the results in the end. However, I started noticing a bad taste in my mouth, despite no changes to my established brushing, flossing, and mouthwash routines.

When I mentioned this to my dentist, he said there may be an infection in my mouth and ordered X-rays. He was right – one of my implants was infected and I needed antibiotics. However, if the infection comes back, I may need to get surgery all over again.

I thought these implants would last me the rest of my life, so I’m blindsided by having problems only 10 years in. I do not want to pay for the entire procedure again, especially if there’s a risk an implant could fail again. Is it common for All-On-4 implants to fail after 10 years or so? Should I just opt for a set of dentures at my age? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Daniel, from Trenton, New Jersey

Hi Daniel,

All-On-4 dental implants are a type of implant overdenture. Your situation is rare, but unfortunately All-on-4 does not work for everyone. If you have any risk factors, such as previous periodontal disease, chronic health conditions, or are a smoker, the risk of possible failure is higher.

Determining the cause of your implant failure may prove difficult. It likely was not caused by a placement issue during the initial surgery. If it were, the problems would have cropped up in the first few months after surgery. Any of the aforementioned risk factors could have contributed to the implant’s failure. However, if you did not have any risk factors, then the cause of the infection or implant failure will likely remain a mystery.

All-On-4 dental implants, also known as Teeth in a Day, frequently have a very high success rate among patients. Studies have shown that even 10 years after surgery, the implants still hold strong at a 94% success rate, meaning only a handful failed over the course of the decade.

If you cannot determine what caused the implant to fail, it’s understandable that you would be hesitant to get it redone. Also, there is not any data available on how long All-On-4 implants last after being redone. However, you still have options besides dentures; you still have 3 successful implants, so if you were to get the fourth remade, it would likely hold well. The decision is up to you. To help you decide, see a periodontist, cosmetic dentist, or oral surgery specialist for a second opinion.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio implant overdentures and All-On-4 provider, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group.