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.