Can't Wear Dentures Archives

I need to have a periodontal surgery where they cut the gums and lay them open to clean the teeth and possibly fill in where there is bone loss. With insurance I’m looking at close to $4000, plus I need a deep cleaning prior to the surgery, which is $1200. From what I’ve been told because my bone loss is 6 to 8 throughout my gums, this may not work. I’m 36, and I’m wondering if it would be better to just have my teeth extracted and get dentures. What do you think?

Thanks, Howard

Dear Howard

Sorry to hear about your gum disease problem at such a young age, however your teeth sound like there still savable. Bone loss involving six to eight mm pockets is considered moderate periodontal disease and very treatable especially if your teeth have very little or no mobility. Having the periodontal treatment recommended will stop the progression of the disease, therefore will help prevent you from losing your teeth; however it is vital that you develop exceptional oral hygiene habits and have dental cleanings every 3 months to maintain your smile and dental health.

The periodontal surgery can cost about the same as having all your teeth extracted and having dentures placed. Dentures are not like your natural teeth and most people can’t eat some of the foods they are use to. New denture wearers develop sores and gum pain which can end after a while or can last a lifetime especially if the denture is poor fitting. The bone and gums shrink over the years and dentures can become loose, therefore need to be relined or replaced. Upper dentures seem to stay in place better due to the suction we gain from the roof of the mouth, however lower dentures are another story. On the lower arch we do not get the same suction, there is less of a foundation, and the movement of the tongue prevents the lower denture from staying in place most of the time. If you choose to get dentures we would recommend that you consult your dentist about an over-denture on the lower jaw. This consist of having dental implants placed on the lower arch which then attaches to the denture keeping it stable and more comfortable.

We highly recommend that you save your natural teeth if possible. Always remember you will never have another set of teeth like your own and a denture is the last resort one should take. If you’re concerned how well your teeth will respond to the periodontal surgery and there longevity you should get a second opinion to help you make the best decision for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

I’ve been wearing upper dentures for many years now, and they just don’t seem to fit anymore. They are really uncomfortable, and I have sores all the time. My dentist says that I need to get dental implants, but there is no way I can afford that on my own. I’m on a fixed income. I could afford monthly payments, but my dentist says I have to have the whole amount up front.

My question is what kind of dental insurance will pay for dental implants? The monthly premiums would be manageable, if I could find a kind that would cover the implants. So far, all of the companies I have talked to will not cover any portion of dental implants, or really much of anything at all.

Kevin from Columbus

Dear Kevin,

You will not find a dental insurance company that will cover dental implants. This makes sense, if you think about it from the point of view of the dental insurance company. They would not stay in business long if they routinely sold policies to people and then paid for benefits worth many times the value of the policy. The best dental insurance policies are usually available through employers, and what they are really doing is purchasing a group discount for their employees. This is paid for with pre-tax dollars, and is considered a benefit of employment. Even policies through employers will not pay for dental implants, though.

Have a candid conversation with your dentist about how you can get this done in a manner you can afford. He may be able to find a way to work with you on a payment plan, or could find a lending agency that will work with you.

You say you have been wearing dentures for many years. This may mean that you will also need a procedure called bone grafting to build up the bone of your jaw before your jaw bone itself will be strong enough to support the root forms of the implants. When all of your teeth are removed, your body will reabsorb the bone of your jaw, making it impossible to wear dentures or support a root form. This leads to a condition called facial collapse, which can be very expensive to correct when dentures are no longer a possibility.

Though it is too late for you, we’ll use this chance to urge other readers to try to save their teeth whenever possible. It may seem tempting, if you’ve suffered years of trouble with your teeth, to just get them all pulled and go to dentures, but this is never the best solution. If there is no alternative, even getting mini-implants to support a denture is a better option to help maintain the integrity of your jaw bone. Even a few small implants can slow and even stop the bone loss that can lead to facial collapse.

This informative blog is posted courtesy of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

PERIO SURGERY VS. DENTURES?

What kind of dental insurance should I get so they cover dental implants?