Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for October 2021

Are partial dentures my only option?

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Senior woman holding jher mouth portraying concern over parital denturesAfter a battle with advanced gum disease, seven of my upper teeth are missing. I still have my two front teeth, but gum loss created a gap between them. I want dental implants, but my dentist says my bone won’t support them, so I can get partial dentures, which are more affordable. I know that if I try to close the gap, I will need braces and more partial dentures after my teeth are straight. It’s just the expense of all this that scares me. Are partial dentures my only option? I’m not sure what to do. Thank you. Vickie from Columbia, SC

Vickie,

Thank you for your question, Vickie.

We understand your concerns about your smile and your oral health. Although your dentist is offering the most affordable option, we recommend that you look for a dentist who is just as—or more—concerned about your appearance as you are.

Dr. Perry would need to examine your mouth, teeth, and x-rays for an accurate diagnosis and treatment options. Still, two options that will give you a better smile than a partial denture are an implant-supported bridge or individual implants.

Before offering a solution, a dentist will need to gather more information, including:

  • A comprehensive examination
  • A CT scan to measure your bone volume
  • The size of your front teeth
  • The size of the gap between them

We recommend getting an opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist concerned about your appearance but will work with you to make dental implants or whatever treatment you choose affordable. After diagnosis, the dentist can explain if you can complete treatment in phases. Financing and payment plans will help you pay for care over time without accumulating a lot of debt.

 

Ryan Perry, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.

Tooth Removal and Dentures – See a Dentist or Oral Surgeon First?

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Man sitting and thinking - perhaps about whether to see a dentist or oral surgeon first for implant denturesSince most of my teeth are decayed or missing, I am looking into extractions and dentures. I’m only 57 years old, but I neglected my teeth because medical issues took priority. My health is still not good, but it is stable. Should I see a dentist or an oral surgeon first? Thank you. Joel from Memphis, TN

Joel,

Thank you for your question.

If you need extractions and dentures, we recommend looking for a dentist who does both. Pre-denture tooth removal is not complex, and many general dentists do both.

Finding a Dentist for Extractions and Dentures

Look online for experienced dentists. Call a few offices and ask how the dentist handles patients who require tooth removal and dentures. Try not to hint that you are looking for a dentist who does both. Otherwise, they may offer to do both so that you will schedule with them.

Dental Anxiety

If you need dentures and have anxiety about dental visits, ask about sedation dentistry. Your new dentist will create a treatment plan using sedation to complete as much work as possible during each visit. Sedation helps you relax while the dentist completes more work than they could when your anxiety level is high.

Stabilizing Your Denture

When all your teeth are missing, you lack tooth roots to stimulate and preserve your jawbone. So the jawbone will gradually shrink. Without the bone to support your facial muscles, the muscles will sag and make you look older.

Your dentist or an oral surgeon can place dental implants or artificial tooth roots in your jawbone. Your dentist will attach a denture to them after a healing period. Not only will implants stimulate your bone and prevent shrinkage, but your denture will also look and feel better.

What to Look for in a Dentist

If you are interested in tooth removal, dentures, and implants, look for a dentist with post-graduate training in these areas:

  • Dental surgery
  • Dental implants
  • Cosmetic dentistry

You can schedule consultations with two dentists to discuss your concerns and your options.

Ryan Perry, DDS of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sponsors this post.