I’ve had periodontal disease for several years; unfortunately, I trusted that my dentist was doing the right thing with treatment. He wasn’t, and my teeth are so loose. My daughter finally convinced me to see another dentist, and I did. My periodontal disease is progressive, and I will lose my few left teeth. I know my choices are dentures or dental implants (I can’t really afford them). The thought of wearing dentures really scares me. Is it worth it to go into debt for dental implants and pay for them until it’s almost time for me to die? Thank you. Millie from Bay Shore, NY
Millie –
Thank you for contacting Dr. Perry’s office.
We understand your concerns because there are a lot of challenges that come with removable dentures. We will explain alternatives to individual implants.
What If You Can’t Afford Dental Implants?
There are alternatives if you cannot afford individual implants for each missing tooth. An implant dentist can use two to six implants to secure a denture for much less money than replacing each tooth with an implant. Two of the most affordable options are a snap-on denture and mini-implants.
- Snap-on denture – You can get standard implants to support a denture, and as few as two implants can increase their stability.
- Mini implants – A mini-implant is one-third the diameter of a standard implant and a fraction of the cost. Your dentures will be less stable than with traditional implants, but they will fit much more securely than removable complete dentures.
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the jawbone shrinks up to 50 percent in the first six months after losing all your teeth. Implants stimulate your jawbone and help prevent jawbone shrinkage and sagging muscles that lead to facial collapse.
We recommend finding an experienced dentist with post-graduate implant training for a consultation to discuss your options for implant dentures. The dentist will explain payment plans or financing options that may fit your budget.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.