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.