Posts Tagged ‘Dentures’

Dentures: How to prevent getting dentures, taking care of them and their current trends.

There are so many topics in dentistry that I can write about in this column since research is exposing more advanced techniques, materials and objectives in the field.  This month I wanted the Shelby Township, Macomb, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township readership to become aware of the state of edentulous (without teeth) patient and the struggles they go through.  It is also important to know that the percentage of  people who have lost their teeth is increasing even though research is advancing.  The problem with tooth loss is that the skeletal bone actually shrinks over time where the teeth have been extracted.  Since dentures rest on the gums people who have dentures only can bite down 15-20% as hard as they could when they had teeth.  This means that they have a limited assortment of soft foods they can comfortably eat which tends to not be as nutritious as harder foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Demographics:

According to an Academy of General Dentistry article there are around 35 million Americans who have either 1 or 2 jaws of missing teeth and this number is expected to increase to 38 million by 2020.  26% of the US population between the ages of 65-74 do not have teeth.  According to David Felton DDS, the demographic most at risk for dentures are lower education, smokers, females and a population who does not take daily vitamins or supplements. 

Tooth Loss

Once thought that dentures were a normal age related event we now know it has a lot to do with genetics, nutrition, and oral hygiene.  Those who are prone to tooth loss at an early age from cavities and periodontal disease are at a much higher risk for complete tooth loss and eventual dentures.  Once a tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth move into the space creating gaps where food gets lodged, creating more problems and more tooth loss.  This is why it is best to save teeth with root canal treatment if a tooth is infected rather than have it extracted.  Having fillings done at an early enough stage prevents root canals or extractions.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  This bacterial induced disease is not painful and has little symptoms so it must be diagnosed and treated by a dentist before it is too late.  If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, if you have bad breath, if your teeth are loose, if there is swelling around the gums or you have tarter buildup then you more than likely have periodontal disease.  Ignoring your problem won’t make it go away, in fact the sooner you are treated the better the outcome. 

Denture Care

For those who have had their teeth already removed and have dentures there is hope for you.  First of all, dentures have to be replaced or relined every 5-8 years.  Because the bone that supports the denture continually shrinks it is very important that you maintain the best fit possible.  When dentures are too loose they irritate the soft tissues and bone underlying the denture.  With less biting pressure the diet only permits for softer foods to be eaten.  Another factor not addressed much is the potential for an embarrassment moment when laughing with a denture and having it drop or even pop out of your mouth. With a good fit dentures provide confidence to be yourself and to smile and laugh without concern.

Assuming the dentures are made properly and fit relatively well, mini implants can be placed in one visit to provide a snap fit so the dentures are stabilized.  These implant supported dentures continue to rest on the ridge, but since they hold tightly to the gums without adhesive, they don’t move.  You can bite, chew and laugh without worrying that the denture will jump or fall out of place. 

Here are some pointers on how to take care of your dentures:

1. Don’t use tooth paste to clean them-This can scratch the surface and potentially promote staining and tarter build up.
2. Make sure you remove them when sleeping.  When removing the dentures at night the soft tissues to get access to body’s healing saliva of the mouth.  When leaving in place thrush can develop.  This reddish yeast infection can also be seen on the corners of the mouth. 
3. Soak your denture at night in Efferdent, Polident or other soaks.
4. See your dentist every year for a denture fit analysis.  The exam we do also provides for a cancer screening in addition to an analysis on your denture’s fit.
5. Clean your dentures with a brush and a denture cleaning paste such as Denture Cream every day. 
6. Use a wash cloth to rub and stimulate the roof of the mouth, tongue and lower ridge.  This prevents the build up of bacteria and yeast in the mouth.  It is also prudent to rinse the mouth with a mouthwash such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health.
7. If you don’t currently have a dentist you can contact our office at (586)247-3500 for a Free Denture Consultation.  I will give you an honest opinion of your status.  If you have dental insurance you should give us a call as soon as possible to take advantage of this benefit before year end.

I want to wish you and your family a Joyous Christmas and remember the reason for the season is the birth of Christ the King.  He came to this earth because He cares so much for you and me that He gave His life for us on the Cross.  May 2010 be Joy filled as we all go through these tough times together.  We will prevail.

If you have questions please call the office at (586)247-3500, email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com, write at 15055 22 Mile #2, Shelby Twp. MI 48315 or fax (586)247-1211.  The more questions I receive the more I know what you are interested in as a topic.    Thank You, Robert V. Antolak DDS

We at The Gentle Dentist provide Cosmetic, Implant and General dentistry.  Our motto is “Relax while we take care of your smile”.  For more information please visit our web site at www.TheGentleDentist.com

Confused about dental insurance?

Dental insurance was introduced in the 1960’s and was originally designed to help with the cost of dental expenses, not pay for the entire treatment. This benefit was exciting for those who were beneficiaries from the generosity of the automotive companies. These benefits gave the opportunity for many to have needed dental care done. The dental benefits haven’t changed much in the last 40 years in the Detroit Michigan area. In fact they originally had a $1000 maximum per year which is now $1,200 per year: only 20% of inflation rate. Today in this economy having insurance is a blessing and at the same time it is confusing. This month’s article is designed to help you understand your dental insurance better. Here are some facts:
1. Dental insurance is a contract between the insurance company and the patient.
Each year whether it is a calendar year running from January –December or a contact year running from July-June, the insurance company allows a maximum amount that they will pay the dental provider on your behalf. The maximum is usually $1000.00. Some plans also have a deductible, which is to be paid each year, generally $25.00-$50.00.
2. Insurance companies pay a percentage of each procedure.
Here is a breakdown:
100% -Diagnostic and Preventative services, which includes exams, cleaning and x-rays
80%-Basic/Restorative services, which includes fillings
50%-Major/Restorative services, which includes, root canals, crowns and prosthodontics (dentures, partials and implants)

3. Due to insurance companies paying by a percentage, your out of pocket expenses can vary. If you decide to see a dentist that is not in-network you may have to pay more since the insurance company pays a limited amount for each procedure. To make this profitable, dentists who agree to participate with these plans may need to see more patients at one time or reduce their expenses by using less quality materials or labs.
With the collapse of the auto companies it became necessary to reduce or eliminate benefits. There are many decisions now that have to be made which in the past were made for the employee. At the same time these benefits are becoming evident which in the past were assumed.
If you have a PPO (Preferred provider organization) plan:
-You may need to pay slightly more money but still have choices in the dental office who provides care for you and your family. If you have no choice but to find a dentist in your network it can be difficult.
-You may need to check with your insurance provider for a list of dentists that participate with them. To make sure these dental providers meet your standards it may be necessary to evaluate their office by checking over the internet or by asking friends.
If you are in need for insurance:
Selecting a dental insurance company can be difficult and confusing as well. Delta Dental has a contract with AARP that may work for you. You can visit www.deltadentalins.com or call 1-866-583-2085 for more information.

Please feel free to call our office with any questions you may have. You do not have to be a patient of ours for us to help you out. You can also visit our website at www.TheGentleDentist.com or call us at 586-247-3500.

To answer your question I must first give a little background and information on what dental implants are and other factors that can affect the cost of an implant.

Dental implants are man-made tooth roots that are inserted into the bone to replace missing teeth.  They are made of a titanium alloy which is completely biocompatible (accepted by the body).  Over a four month healing period bone grows into the threads of the implant making it a solid part of the body.  Small parts can be screwed into the implant which can then support teeth, fixed bridges and dentures.  Some people think that they are new but have been successfully in use for over 20 years.

The fee of and implant is affected by the need for bone grafting. Dental implants can be inserted immediately after a tooth is removed or can be inserted well after the teeth have been missing for a period of time.  Dental implants and teeth both stimulate bone to keep it from shrinking.  I use the analogy that when a person works out with exercise they stimulate their muscles and therefore the muscles stay the same size or grow. It is the body’s natural response to react to the stimulus of exercise to make more muscle tissue.  If a person is inactive and doesn’t use the muscle it shrinks.  Bone is a living structure in the body and if it is not stimulated internally with teeth or implants then it shrinks.  If fact, it shrinks up to 50% of the width in the first year after a tooth is removed.  Immediately after a tooth is extracted a bone graft or dental implant should be placed in the extraction site to reduce this immediate bone loss phenomenon.

If the case is more complex then a CT Scan which affects the fee.  These are needed to know where the bone and vital structures are and we have the computer software to read the CT scan to give the most accurate placement possible.

If sedation is used during the procedure then this can affect the fee. At our office we provide oral sedation making the patient completely comfortable with little to no memory of the treatment.

Depending on how the implant is going to be used affects the fee. Since the dental implant is only the part that goes into the bone what is screwed down into the implant affects the fee greatly.  This “prosthetic” portion is the functional part that goes into the mouth. This consists of both an abutment that screws down into the implant and a crown that gets cemented over the abutment.

If an implant is to be used to support a removable denture then only 2 implants are usually needed; if it is to replace a missing tooth then 1 implant is needed and if it is to replace 1-2 missing teeth then abutments and crowns are needed to make it a complete “tooth”.

There are a wide variety of factors that really affects the fee of dental implants in the Shelby Township, Macomb, Clinton Township, Utica, Washington Township and New Baltimore Michigan area. To answer your question:  to replace a single tooth if it needs to be extracted can be from $3,100 and up. This includes the fee for the extraction, implant placement surgery, abutment and porcelain crown.  Give us a call at (586)247-3500 or visit our web site at www.TheGentleDentist for a free consultation.  We are located at 15055 22 Mile, Shelby Township, Michigan. Just west of Hayes.