Posts Tagged ‘Fitting Dentures’

The effects of cancer treatment on the mouth can be quite severe!

Most people realize the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy which are hair loss and nausea, but 1 out of 3 people develop problems with the mouth during and even after treatment.  These complications such as dry mouth or life threatening infections may interfere with cancer treatment or diminish the quality of living and eating. It is therefore important to have a qualified dentist as part of the oncology team who can manage and prep the patient’s mouth in anticipation of these complications.  This preoperative care for the cancer treatment is a vital part in a comprehensive approach to overall patient comfort and satisfaction.

Cancer treatment kills fast growing cells and saliva producing cells are one of the fast growing types.  As a result, cancer patients can have extremely dry mouths eliminating the lubrication, re-mineralization, and healing enzyme properties of saliva.

Dental cavities, infection of the soft tissues, periodontal disease and other dental diseases are exacerbated and made worse when saliva is either reduced or eliminated.  Therefore it is critical to involve your qualified dentist to treat decay with fillings, treat periodontal disease, extract hopeless teeth and either remake or reline poorly fitting dentures.

If at all possible your first dental visit should be at least 1 month before cancer treatment begins to give the treating dentist enough time to complete treatment.  Once the cancer treatment begins it is too late to have the dental work done because the bodies healing capacity and ability to fight off infections is greatly reduced if not stopped.

Since the mouth is full of disease causing bacteria any potential dental problem that can be foreseen should be treated immediately with enough time to heal completely (around 14 days) before cancer treatment is started.  Open wounds, infected teeth and the like can be seeds to serious problems.  Any elective oral surgery such as implant placement should be postponed until after cancer treatment is completed.  Soft plastic trays can be used to hold fluoride to prevent tooth decay.  These are to be used during the night to re-mineralize the teeth.

The diagnosis of cancer is devastating for everyone involved and there are both emotional and physical aspects that must be dealt with right away.  Involving the dentist as part of your care isn’t usually considered, but is critical.  Since time is of the essence, being told to wait a week for a dental appointment isn’t acceptable to me.  If your dentist isn’t willing to either alter his/her schedule or come in on their day off you may want to contact our office for an immediate appointment.  For more information on what a patient should do before, during and after cancer treatment you can call our office at (586) 247-3500 for a free reprinted brochure from the National Institute of Health.  You can also visit their website at Http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/cancertreatment

Even if you have questions about this topic or if you or a loved one is to be starting cancer therapy you can call me or visit the office to discuss your questions.

If you are involved with a cancer support group and would like to have me speak to them about oral care before, during and after cancer therapy you can email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com.

I am also available to talk with support groups or even patients who are about to begin cancer treatment.

Just recently the makers of Polygrip removed their zinc containing denture adhesive cream from the shelves. In a statement, Glaxo said excessive use of the product over several years “may lead to the development of neurological symptoms and blood problems such as anemia. Neurological symptoms may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, and difficulties with walking and balance.”

About 49 million Americans use dentures, or 22 percent of the adult population, and 29 percent of them use adhesives, according to GalaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Polygrip.

Because of the problems associated with long term use of these adhesives it has become more apparent that implants are the ideal method to fasten dentures to the jaw. Dental implants and mini implants are small titanium cylinders placed into the jaw bone that allow dentures to literally snap over and securely attach to the jaw. Since they can be remove with some pressure from the fingers the dentures and gums can be properly maintained and cleaned.

Dental implants prevent the messy goop that is so common with denture adhesives and this newly discovered side effect. The titanium which the dental implants are made of has been shown to be completely biocompatible meaning there is a 100% acceptance rate with no allergenic or toxicity shown.

If you have quesitons about dental implants or loose fitting dentures you can call Dr. Antolak The Gentle Dentist at (586)247-3500 or visit the web site at www.TheGentleDentist.com

I have noticed in the process of writing my monthly ”Ask the Dentist”  columns for the Advisor-Source Newspapers and Senior Living News there are certain topics that have become very popular.  One of the most popular dental topics is when I write about ways to improve the retention of a denture.  Even though it is not a glamorous topic, those who struggle keeping a loose denture in on a daily basis find it most important.  In fact, there are approximately 50,000,000 people in the United States who are “edentulous” (literally meaning lacking teeth) who struggle daily with prosthetic devices.  A majority suffer a great deal of discomfort as a result of loose or ill-fitting dentures. Many denture wearers simply withdraw from any type of social engagement as a result of being compelled to wear them.

When teeth are removed due to  dental decay or periodontal disease the underlying bone starts to shrink.  This resorption process continues over many years leading to a sunken appearance of the face, wrinkles, reduced structure for dentures to be placed on, and overall aging.  If it is possible to save teeth that is always the best.  If this is not possible or the teeth have been removed, the use of dental implants (mini or standard size) can create internal stimulation  within the bone.  This internal stimulation strengthens and keeps the bone the same size eliminating the effects that were previously mentioned.

If the jaw bone shrinks and the person wears a complete denture for years it can be possible to place mini implants into the jaw to add a snap fit so the lower denture remains stable giving the patient the ability to eat much more easily and eat more nutritious and healthy food.   Four (4) mini implants are used to support the denture.  There are more needed because they are only the size of a wooden toothpick.

Sometimes larger dental implants are indicated if there is enough bone available in the jaw.   The advantage of these larger implants is that the snap that is placed in the denture provides a firmer connection than the “mini implant”.  We typically place only 2 dental implants to hold a lower denture in place.  The only way to evaluate which style implant is best for you is to have a consultation with us.  This may include taking a panoramic (entire jaw) x-ray.  This is necessary because it shows all of the boney structures in the jaw.

Either dental implant system can use an existing denture if it is functional and relatively new.  The healing time is about the same even though the mini dental implant can allow for the denture to snap in on the same day.  It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for the dental implant to heal before the complete denture can be attached to the full size implants.

The cost is slightly more to have the 2 standard dental implants done compared with the mini-implants because of the protocol needed.

In my opinion, the 2 standard dental implants are the best choice, but is some one has medical problems the mini implants are slightly less invasive and can work for them.

To get my opinion Please call us at (586)247-3500 to set up a  dental consultation.  If you are one of the first 10 patients to inquire about these overdenture options we will include a panoramic x-ray at no charge (value $115.00).  The offer expires December 1, 2008.

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County Michigan.