Dental Implant Cost

March 14, 2007 by ·

Question:
 I’m writing in the hope you can shed some light on my dental dilemma.

  1. I have had all my teeth removed.
  2. Have put up with 2 sets of dentures on top for about a year and they just aren’t working.
  3. I can’t keep dentures on the bottom.  They just fall out and I look so ugly with them.
  4. I’m considering implants in the bottom.

    1. Do you do implants?
    2. Price?
  5. What price for a new set of uppers?
  6. Have no dental insurance at present time.

Thank You,  M.G. Madison Hts.
 

Answer: 
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems like this, but unfortunately these are common problems people who have dentures experience.  There are many questions that I would like to ask you like:  Your age, health considerations, medications currently taking, and the amount of bone you have left after the teeth were removed. 
 

I will assume that you are a typical denture patient in my practice that I would treat.  It seems that having 2 sets of upper dentures  in 1 year and still being unsatisfied would have me question your expectations of what dentures are .  Dentures are similar to having an artificial leg.   Those who have dentures are usually considered “dental cripples”.  I attempt to let my patients know that there is no way they can expect to chew the foods and have the enjoyment in eating that they had when they were younger with their teeth.  Plastic dentures cover the roof of the mouth eliminating the heat and flavor sensations from foods.  Lower dentures are only retained in the mouth by the tongue and lips.  They usually flop around when chewing hard or sticky foods.  In fact, denture patient can bite down with only 10%-15% of the force that they could with natural teeth.  Now, with that being said I treat many patients who currently have dentures and they usually manage quite well.  
 

To properly evaluate your situation it would be necessary to look at your dentures and how they bite together.  If the teeth don’t contact at the same time when biting down this could cause them to “trip” and get loose.  If the length of the denture are too long, your muscles could be pushing them up making it impossible to have a good fit.  If you have a severe dry mouth (usually from medications) it is extremely difficult to create a suction on the upper.  There are many conditions that must be met for a denture to properly function.  If these conditions are met and the dentures are made well then implants may be for you.
 

We will commonly do implants on the lower jaw in the front.  Depending on your health we may create a “snap” fit using mini-implants or possibly use larger traditional implants to snap the denture in place.  There are many items that have to be considered before implants are used.  The mini-implant is about the thickness of a pencil lead and can be used immediately to hold a denture in place.  By using either implant option it is possible to stabilize the lower denture in a significant way.
 

Because there are so many possibilities and options available it is difficult to quote you a fee, but I will give you a range from $1,200-$8,000 to have your problem taken care of.  This fee range on the low end is if your dentures are acceptable, using only mini-implants to stabilize your existing dentures.  The high end is if new upper and lower dentures using beautiful porcelain teeth supported with traditional implants.  This option would give you the ability to eat the foods you want to eat, not the foods that your dentures limit you to.  Give me a call at the office and I can chat with you about it in more detail.  Our new phone number is (586)247-3500.


   

Filed Under: Dental Implants, Dentures, General Dentistry Tagged With: , ,

Snoring

March 14, 2007 by ·

Question:   I am recently married and am in my seventies.  I have a problem with snoring and it is creating problems with our sleeping..  I have dentures on the top and my natural teeth on the bottom.  My daughter brought over some information on this device that is supposed to help.  Does it seem possible to have this done, especially at my age?
Thank You,  Bert M.
 

Answer:   We’re all familiar with the sound. But even though snoring is more a nuisance than a health concern, there is the possibility that it will develop into sleep apnea – a serious disorder in which the person snoring stops breathing several times a hour while sleeping.
 

Snoring affects more than 40 percent of men and 30 percent of women and tends to worsen with age. A narrowing of the airway passage between the back of the tongue and the soft palate causes snorning. Air then passes across the soft palate causing it to vibrate, which creates the sound we know as snoring. The level of snoring can be aggravated by excess weight, alcohol intake, smoking, allergies, use of tranquilizers, and sleeping on your back.
 

Sleep apnea occurs when the tongue falls back over the airway and blocks the flow of air. As a person tries harder to breathe, their airway becomes even tighter, until breathing stops altogether. This can happen a few times during a night’s sleep or 100 times an hour.
When sleep apnea causes air intake to be reduced, oxygen levels in the body will also decrease, which can be a precursor to heart attacks, strokes and other serious conditions.
Now there are dental appliances that can prevent snoring and sleep apnea. When worn these mouth devices position the lower jaw forward to open up the airway space. When the space is enlarged, the air flows smoothly eliminating the blockage and therefore vibration of the tongue.  We will need to perform a thorough examination to rule out other conditions such as TMJ disorders. During the examination we will tthen determines the best positioning of your jaw for a free flow of air, and then an appliance is custom made for you..
 

We will then show you how to place the appliance in your mouth to keep your airway open while sleeping. The appliance will also prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking your airway.
 

You stated that you wear upper dentures.  If these are loose then the device will not be able to stabilize.  The dentures could be secured by placing a couple of mini-implants that I have described in previous articles.  This way you will benefit from a snap fit of your denture when doing life during the day and have a much happier relationship with your wife because of a good night of rest.

Filed Under: General Dentistry, Sleeping Disorders

Periodontal disease

March 14, 2007 by ·

Question:
I’ve recently been told I have the beginning signs of Pyoria.  I’m quite upset about it….I brush at least 2 times a day and floss daily.  Please help me clear this up.  I always thought this was a disease only people with poor dental hygiene got.  I need to enhance my knowledge.  Please let me know.    Sincerly,  Judith E. Hatcher
 

 

Answer:         
Bacterial plaque – a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth – is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. Specific periodontal diseases may be associated with specific bacterial types. If plaque isn’t removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tartar).Toxins (poisons) produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth eventually will fall out or require extraction.
                Signs include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, puss between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in the way teeth fit together when the patient bites, and a change in the fit of partial dentures. While patients are advised to check for the warning signs, there might not be any discomfort until the disease has spread to a point where the tooth is unsalvageable. That’s why patients are advised to get frequent dental exams
                In the early stages, most treatment involves scaling and root planing-removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planing. In most cases of early gum disease, called gingivitis, scaling and root planing and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result.   Removing plaque through daily brushing, flossing and professional cleaning is the best way to minimize your risk.  We also recommend the showerfloss www.showerfloss.com.  This device is used to provide a constant stream of water between the teeth.  This powerful stream of water actually penetrates deeper than floss to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
                Other factors that increase risk include a diet low in nutrients that can diminish the body’s ability to fight infection. Smokers and spit tobacco users have more irritation to gum tissues than non-tobacco users, while stress can also affect the ability to ward off disease. Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system, such as leukemia and AIDS, may worsen the condition of the gums. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, where the body is more prone to infection, gum disease is more severe or harder to control.
For more information and to have your questions answered please call us at (586) 247-3500 or visit our website at www.TheGentleDentist.com. 
 

Filed Under: General Dentistry, Nutrition, Periodontal Disease Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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