Implant Overdentures Archives

Will Medical Insurance Cover Dental Implants

Posted on October 9, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have complete dentures on my upper teeth. The problem is that I can hardly wear them. The denture plate makes me gag. What I would like to do is have this upper denture replaced by dental implants. I’ve heard there is less gagging with those. However, that is a LOT of money to have upfront. Because this denture is making it impossible for me to eat, is there a way medical insurance will pay for this?

Adriana

Dear Adriana,

Implant supported dentures

You’ve brought up a couple of important things which I don’t think are talked about enough. First, the gagging issue. Because an upper denture is held in by suction, they are constructed to extend as far as possible on the hard palate to what is known as the vibrating line. For many patients, this causes the gagging problem you are experiencing.

Getting implant supported dentures would definitely solve the problem because there would no longer be a need for a denture plate. That brings us to your second point—paying for it. Medical insurance will not cover anything dental even if it has an impact on your physical health. They will tell you to look to your dental insurance to cover that.

If it helps, most dentists don’t charge for the complete procedure at up front. It is divided into two payments. The first payment covers the surgical portion. The second payment covers the denture appliance and attaching it.

There is another financial option if that is still not do-able for you You could look into something like Care Credit, which will pay for the treatment and you’ll make payments to them.

If this were a lower denture, I would say do absolutely everything you can to get dental implants placed because otherwise you will have serious repercussions with facial collapse. The longer you are in removable dentures, the more your jawbone shrinks.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.
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Clear Choice or Costa Rica for Dental Implants?

Posted on January 31, 2022 by writeradmin.

I want to get some dental implants but my dentist said I have lost too much bone due to my gum disease for that to be a viable option. I’ve done some internet scouring and learned that people in my position often get the all-on-4 dental implant procedure at a place called Clear Choice Dental Implant Centers. I looked into them and they seem to get good results. My two concerns were the price seemed pretty high and there seems to be patients who said they felt abandoned after their procedure and there wasn’t really any follow up. It looks like I could go to Costa Rica for the same procedure but much cheaper. Do you have an opinion on which is my better option?

Angie L.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

I have a few thoughts on this. First, let’s talk about the gum disease. Make certain that is under control before undergoing ANY dental implant procedure. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for failure. You will continue to lose bone structure as long as the gum disease is present which will lead to implant failure.

After that is dealt with, you have an option other than the all-on-4 procedure. You could still get traditional implant overdentures, which have benefits over all-on-4. The biggest issue is the safety net that if one implant fails with traditional implants, you just have to replace that implant. With all-on-4, however, the entire unit would have to be replaced. In order to get implant overdentures, you would need to build back up that lost bone structure with bone grafting. This will ensure you have enough bone to safely retain your implants. Then, after a period of healing, your implants can be placed and then your overdentures.

Where Should You Go for Your Dental Implants?

You’ve mentioned two places. The first is Clear Choice. Yes, their prices can be on the high side. That is because they are pricing their procedure to be about the same as what you’d pay getting bone grafting and implant overdentures, but they don’t have to do the bone grafting, which increases their profits. Another issue is they are a corporate practice, which has a list of downsides you can read at the link. Clear Choice tends to push the all-on-4 procedure on patients without giving them other options.

As for Costa Rica, if you think Clear Choice doesn’t have great patient follow-up, how much do you think you will get there? Will you be willing to travel back and forth for follow-up appointments if they do offer them? What about if something goes wrong, will you have recourse? How will you know if the dentists are qualified? There are countless dental implant horror stories both from unqualified dentists in the states as well as from dental tourism outside of the U.S. At least here you would have recourse.

My honest recommendation is you go to a private practice and let them examine you to give you all your options. Your dentist is steering you away from implants, which tells me he doesn’t feel comfortable placing them. Don’t push him into it. Instead, find a dentist with great post-doctoral implant training and get your work done there, where you will have personalized care and great follow-up.

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

Could I get Dental Implants Instead of Dentures?

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Travis Wachendorf.

After thirty years wearing dentures which I got when I was in my 20s, I finally have money. I lost my teeth due to advanced periodontal disease. My parents didn’t believe in dentists. They thought it was a waste of money. I’ve never liked my smile because dentures are so ugly. Is it possible for me to finally get dental implants?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

I am so sorry you had to lose your teeth at such a young age. Parents aren’t perfect and, obviously, yours were confused about the importance of dental care. Unfortunately, we sometimes suffer because of other people’s mistakes. You can get dental implants but may have to take some preliminary steps first.

The very first thing you will want to do is make sure your gum disease is under control. That can derail any attempt at dental implants. After that, you will need some bone grafting done. Implants need to have bone structure to help retain them. When your teeth were removed, your body began to resorb the minerals that hold your jawbone together to use elsewhere in your body. After 30 years, you won’t have much left. This is known as facial collapse and can make you look decades older than you are.

Getting bone grafting done will restore that bone. Then you can have implants placed. Don’t try to do it on a one-to-one ratio. That is too expensive. Instead, get between six to eight dental implants on each arch and your dentist can secure dentures to them. These are called implant overdentures. You will have a completely secure smile for years to come.

I know you were concerned about the appearance of your dentures. You should know that dentures can look stunning when done by an excellent cosmetic dentist. The unattractiveness of your dentures had nothing to do with the fixture themselves as much as the cosmetic skill of the dentist who made them. Choosing your dentist carefully will be extremely important.

Look for an AACD accredited dentist. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country. Then, see which of those dentists has post-doctoral training in dental implants. When you find that magic combo, you have your dentist and will be on your way to a stunning smile you’ll be proud of for the rest of your life.

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

Should My Husband Get All-on-Four Dental Implants?

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Travis Wachendorf.

My husband is in need of dental implants. We went to see a dentist who said the option for us is all-on-four dental implants. It’s pretty pricey. I was wondering what cases would make it the only option? Should we seek a second opinion?

Katarina

Dear Katarina,

All-on-4 Dental Implants

I’m going to say right off the bat to get a second opinion. I am always leary of dentists who imply you only have one option. That is rarely the case. In fact, he is ethically bound to give you all of your options. I haven’t examined your husband, but I will tell you about some other possibilities that come to mind right away.

First, all-on-4 is designed to help people still get dental implants when they have bone loss by angling the implants a certain way. One of the problems with this method is that if one part of it fails, you cannot just replace that dental implant. The entire procedure has to be redone.

If your husband does have bone loss, another option is to have a bone grafting procedure done. Then, you can have implant overdentures, which may be the better option for him. If he doesn’t have any bone loss then both all-on-four and bone grafting are completely unnecessary and he can go straight to implant-supported dentures.

If cost is an issue there are other options as well such as snap-on dentures or mini implants. My point is, you are probably not limited by one procedure. There are lots of options here and I don’t like that he was not given any of them except one.

Look for an experienced implant dentist to get a second opinion. When you do that, make sure it is a blind second opinion. By that, I mean don’t tell him the recommendation your first dentist gave, nor the name of your first dentist. The dental world is a small world and they may be friends. If he asks, just tell him you’d like his unbiased opinion. He or she should not have a problem with that.

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

Dental Implants Fell Off

Posted on October 4, 2021 by writeradmin.

I recently had six dental implants placed in preparation of implant overdentures. Since then, I’ve had four of them fall out. It’s only been a week. Here are my questions. First, should I be able to get a refund on the ones that fell out? Second, are the others safe if they’ve lasted this long? Three, can the ones that fell out be replaced?

Matthew

Dear Matthew,

Implant Overdentures

I don’t know who your dentist is, but you definitely need a new one. I cannot believe he hasn’t already offered you a refund. You should not even have to ask. You should not only have a refund on the ones that fell out, but all of them. That leads me to your second question. No, your dental implants are not safe. A week is hardly any time and given the fact that a majority of them have already fallen out, I would not hold out hope for these.

To put this in perspective. A decent dentist with experience in dental implants has a 97% success rate with dental implants. Those that do fail usually take over a year before anything like that happens. Instead of a 97% success rate, your dentist has a 33% success rate. That is completely unacceptable. I definitely want you to ask for a full refund.

Reasons for Dental Implant Failure

There are quite a few reasons why dental implants can fail. I don’t know which one of them was the reason yours did, but it will give you some possibilities. Then, we’ll go over what you can do to get sturdy tooth replacements.

Development of infection. One of the causes of this is having a dental implant that was improperly fitted. Generally, an infection is accompanied by pain and/or a fever. You did not mention either of these, so I don’t think this will be your issue, though it is always a possibility.
Diagnostic shortcuts. Before your procedure, your dentist should have done a number of diagnostics, including x-rays and a CT scan. This is, in part to make sure you have enough bone structure to retain your dental implants.
Incorrect placement of the fixtures. Some dentists try to up their profits by ordering their dental implant parts outside of the United States. While they will be several hundred dollars cheaper, they are not made to the same specifications we require in order to protect patients.
Improper placement of the implants. If a dentist places the implant incorrectly, it has a high likelihood of failure.
Premature loading. Before your dentist places either a dental crown or a complete denture on the implants, there needs to be enough time for the bone to integrate with it. If a dentist does this too soon, it places too much weight and pressure on the implant, which will cause it to come loose and fail.

The first thing I want you to do is see a skilled implant dentist for an evaluation of these implants. He or she may be able to tell you why they are failing. Additionally, I would ask for the full refund. You shouldn’t have much problem receiving that. After all, a basic expectation of dental work is that it will stay in.

To answer your final question, yes, these can be replaced. I don’t want you to just replace the ones that have fallen out already, but all of them. Be aware that you will need one additional procedure before moving forward. In order to retain your implants, your body will need enough bone. When implants fail, they leave a hole in that bone structure. Because of that, you will need some bone grafting done. This will replace the missing bone and give you the structure you need to keep your next set of dental implants in place. Then, you will finally be able to complete your implant overdentures and have a secure bite and smile.

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

Getting a Beautiful Smile After Dentures

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Travis Wachendorf.

I have had dentures for twenty years and have never liked my smile. I have the money for dental implants now and wondered if it is too late for me to get a beautiful smile with dental implants? I’m finding it difficult to keep my dentures in these days, so this seems like a good time to switch.

Margie

Dear Margie,

Implant Overdentures

I have great news for you. It is never too late to have a beautiful smile. The key is choosing the dentist who does your dental implants carefully. You want someone who not only has extensive post-doctoral training in placing dental implants but is also a skilled cosmetic dentist. The cosmetic skill of the dentist matters much more than which procedure you get when it comes to how beautiful the results will be. For example, even your dentures could have looked beautiful and natural if the dentist who did them had invested in cosmetic dentistry training. The best cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited dentists. They will give you a stunning smile.

One other thing to be aware of is the length of time you have been in dentures. From the moment your teeth were removed, your body recognized that you no longer had any teeth there and immediately began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body where it feels they will be most useful. While a remarkably efficient way to utilize your body’s resources, it also has the unfortunate side effect of shrinking your jawbone. After somewhere between ten and twenty years, your jaw will become so shrunken that you won’t be able to adequately keep them in, as you are currently experiencing yourself. This is known as facial collapse. Without that bone support, your jaw will not be able to retain your dental implants.

The good news is that there is a solution. You can have bone grafting done. This is an outpatient procedure which will build back up the lost bone. Once that is healed, you will be able to have your implants placed. When you are replacing a complete arch, it is standard (and much more affordable) to place implant overdentures. It would be cost-prohibitive to do a crown per tooth.

Aside from the security of implants, there are two other huge benefits. First, your quality of life will go up dramatically. One of the first things you may notice is your chewing capacity will increase. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Now, you’ll be able to eat whatever you want. The best benefit (at least in my opinion) is that you will no longer have to worry about facial collapse.

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

Is There a Soft Denture?

Posted on March 13, 2021 by writeradmin.

I am struggling with my dentures. They make me gag. I think it is probably from the plate that I have on the upper dentures. It is so hard and I have a strong gag reflex. Is there such a thing as a soft denture?

Penny

Dear Penny,

There is such a thing as a soft liner, but that has more to do with padding the ridge on the lower jawbone for those with a bony ridge. The upper dentures need the firmness to them in order to have some structure to keep them in place. You are not the only one to struggle with the feeling on their palette. A liner isn’t really what you’re looking for though. It won’t solve your problem.

You may be better served with an implant overdenture, such as the one pictured above. These use between four to eight dental implants and then anchor your denture to them. There will be no need for the denture plate that is causing you so much grief. The implants hold the dentures in place. They’ll be completely secure. You won’t have to worry about any slipping. But, the most important benefit is how it protects your jawbone.

Once your teeth were removed, your body recognized that and immediately took action to be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible. One of the ways it does this is by resorbing the minerals in your jawbone, which it perceives you no longer need to retain teeth, and disperses them to use throughout your body. In about ten years, you will no longer have enough jawbone to even retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. The implants signal to your brain that you need those minerals and helps you to retain your jawbone.

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

Dental Implants after Years of Dentures

Posted on December 26, 2019 by writeradmin.

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,

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.

Will Dentures Make My Smile Ugly?

Posted on May 14, 2018 by writeradmin.

My husband and I never went to the dentist. I don’t know why. It was just something we let slip in our early years of marriage and never got a clue that it would be important. My gums started bleeding. My husband suggested I see a dentist. I was a little embarrassed telling them I hadn’t been in many years. They were very nice, even though I’m sure they had to be judging me a bit. They said they can try to save my teeth but the gum disease is very advanced. They told me I’d need to come often for treatments to heal my gums. I asked what would happen if they couldn’t save them. They told me about both dental implants and dentures and something in between called implant dentures. Dentures were by far the cheapest. I told the dentist I think I’d prefer the dentures. He said they would cause me to have an ugly smile. Is that true? How?

Maycie

Dear Maycie,

I’m very sorry. This must be a distressing time for you. I can’t be positive what your dentist meant by an ugly smile, but I can think of two possibilities. One is cosmetic. The other medical. We’ll start with the cosmetic.

Dentures Can Be Beautiful

Depending on skill of the cosmetic dentist, your dentures can be made to look as stunning as a celebrity’s smile. You’ll want to make sure the dentist who does them has the right training and artistry. If at all possible look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited cosmetic dentists have passed both oral and written examinations on their technical knowledge. Additionally, they’ve had to demonstrate their artistry with a series of cases they’ve done themselves. So, if he’s saying you can’t get a beautiful smile with dentures. What he’s actually saying is you can’t get a beautiful smile which he does with dentures.

Dentures Carry the Risk of Facial Collapse

When your teeth are removed, your body begins to reabsorb the minerals in your jawbone. After about ten or more years you don’t have enough of a jawbone left to retain your dentures. This condition is known as “Facial Collapse”. Even if you tried to build a new denture, it wouldn’t stay. This is what often gives older people the crushed in look on their mouth and jaw. It’s also why they have trouble keeping their dentures in their mouth.

Either of those could be what he meant by an “ugly smile”.

Yes, dentures are the least expensive. but depending on your age they could be devastating to your jaw and health. Once you can’t wear a denture anymore it will be quite challenging to eat. The best solution is to get dental implants. They’re expensive, but you could start with as few as two implants which attach to your dentures and get more as you’re able. It’s better than nothing. Obviously, the more implants you have, the better for your jaw.

This blog is brought to you by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.