Archives for December 2019

Dental Implants after Years of Dentures

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I want to get dental implants because my dentures drive me crazy. I’ve had dentures for 13 years though. Is it still possible to get implants or did I wait too long?

Percy

Dear Percy,

illustration of facial collapse

As long as you are in good general health, you should be a candidate for dental implants. However, the length of time you have been in dentures, will mean facial collapse has begun. When your teeth were removed, your body recognized that and began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in an effort to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources. Unfortunately, this means your jawbone begins to shrink. After about ten years or so, you’ve lost so much of your jawbone it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to keep your dentures in.

For dental implants to be successful, there needs to be enough bone structure to support it. If you’ve lost as much as I suspect, you will need to have bone grafting done before you can have a successful dental implant procedure. This is an outpatient procedure.

Once the wait time is completed, you can safely go ahead with getting your dental implants. When you’re missing all of your teeth, it is more cost-effective to get implant overdentures instead of a single dental implant for each tooth. This will use between four and six dental implants and then anchor your denture to it.

The first benefit you’ll notice is you don’t have to worry about your dentures slipping anymore. They will stay securely in place. The next thing will likely be how much your chewing capacity has improved. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. You’ll be able to easily eat whatever you’d like again.

A Cosmetic Consideration with Dental Implants

You will not only be getting new teeth, but a new smile as well. One thing to consider is the cosmetic skill of the dentist doing your dentures. These can be as stunning as you would like. In your place, I would look for someone who is AACD accredited. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Terrified of Seeing the Dentist

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I am in a massive amount of pain. I’m pretty sure there is something pretty seriously wrong. The thing is, I am terrified of the dentist. I haven’t gone for years because of that fear. I know that’s why I’ve probably now having this problem. I have tried going. I just start shaking whenever I think about it. The last time I went, I actually bolted from the chair because I panicked and left. Is there any help for someone like me?

Morgan

Dear Morgan,

Woman asleep from dental sedation

You are not alone in this anxiety. Don’t be too hard on yourself. What you need is a dentist who understands the fear you’re going through and have the compassion to make your experience a positive one. They won’t judge or lecture you. Instead, they’ll work with you through the fear in a way that helps you be able to stay in the chair without bolting. While some dentists don’t like dealing with anxious patients, others are anxious to say that they cater to cowards.

That being said, it seems you likely have some type of dental emergency. You have to get it treated before it becomes a life-threatening emergency. People still die from tooth infections. Before you panic about having to go in, I know a way you can have an anxiety-free experience even during this emergency.

I’d like you to do an internet search for dentists in your area who describe themselves as a sedation dentist. Given the level of your particular anxiety, you need one who offers oral conscious sedation. This is administered by a pill and will completely relax you. However, it is so strong you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment.

Dealing with Your Emergency While Setting Up Dental Sedation

Because you will likely need oral conscious sedation, a dentist will want to do a consultation with you and go over your medical history as well as any medications you are on and allergies you may have. The medications will include over the counter meds too, so don’t leave those out.

In the meantime, when you call the office, explain your position and condition. Ask them to prescribe some antibiotics for you. This will keep the infection under control and help with the pain.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Arnold Dental
699 Perimeter Drive, Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40517
Phone: 859-269-1000
Email: info@lexingtonsmiles.com
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