In July 2022, a dentist completed a full-mouth reconstruction for me. I received dental implants, crowns, and porcelain veneers. All four implant crowns were loose within eight months. The dentist secured them again. But last month, the implants became painful again, and one crown is loose. Two of my veneers are loose.
I am deeply concerned because I called the dentist’s office and did not get a response. I searched for the practice on Google, and their Google page says the office is permanently closed. This can only mean that I need to find a new dentist. A friend suggested that I try to track the dentist through the state dental board. I do not want anything from the dentist but my dental records. If the office is closed, my chances of getting a refund are unlikely. I do not know where to start. I appreciate your help. Lamar from NV
Lamar,
We are sorry to hear about your experience. It is undoubtedly traumatizing. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is find another dentist, but be cautious when selecting.
Why Are Your Dental Implant Crowns Loose?
Your dental implant crowns may be loose due to incorrect implant fixture placement or faulty crown placement/
What Is Full-Mouth Reconstruction?
Full-mouth reconstruction is a combination of dental procedures to rebuild or replace most of your teeth. It requires advanced training and experience. A dentist needs occlusion, bite, and cosmetic dentistry training to restore oral health and give you a beautiful smile. We have several suggestions.
Why Should You Avoid Cheap Dental Implants?
Cheap dental implants will not give you great results. Dentists often use low-quality implant fixtures or take diagnostic shortcuts to provide exceptionally low fees for their services. Your implants will not last. Although you do not need to choose the most expensive implant dentist, do not seek a bargain.
How to Find an Implant Dentist
You can find an implant dentist by researching several dentists’ training, education, credentials, and memberships.
Research the dentist’s implant training
Check dentists’ websites to see if they refer patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist for implant surgery or perform the surgery themselves.
When a dentist performs both implant surgery and restoration, look for credentials or membership from these organizations:
- Misch Implant Institute
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- American Academy of Implant Dentists
Ask about the diagnosis process
Seek a dentist who uses 3-D CT technology to plan for your dental implants. Or the dentist should refer you to a specialist who uses that technology. 3-D scans reveal your oral and facial anatomy to ensure optimal implant placement.
Take the following precautions:
- Research the dentist’s cosmetic dentistry training.
- Look for a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. Also, check for the dentist’s continuing education in cosmetic dentistry. It will increase your chances of getting natural-looking results. An accredited cosmetic dentist will give you high-quality results.
- Check online reviews
- Read Google and Yelp reviews about the dentist’s work. And look for comments about dental implants or full-mouth restoration.
You can schedule a consultation with two or three dentists before choosing one to restore your teeth.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.