Baton Rouge Dentist

Will affordable dental implants help with my facial collapse?

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My grandchild recently told me I looked old. While I am in my 50s, I would hardly call myself old! However, I have been noticing my facial appearance looks to be aging. Therefore, I started researching and came across the term facial collapse. Now, I should also mention that I have worn dentures for years, yet no one ever mentioned to me that facial collapse could happen as a result of my dentures. I am now on the hunt for affordable dental implant options that will help restore my jaw bone.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Dear Barbara,

Kids say the craziest things, don’t they!

You are on the right path regarding facial collapse. Once your teeth are gone, the jaw bone, to which your teeth were once anchored, begins to resorb back into your body, leading to facial collapse. If you are experiencing this, the additional bone would need to be added before any type of dental implant can happen.

Because the bone is only retained in places where implants are placed, an option such as the snap-on denture would definitely help retain your youthful appearance, as well as help with eating and reduce the chances of future jaw shrinkage.

Therefore, you may want to consider multiple implant placements. If this interests you, schedule a consultation to find out what your best affordable implant options are and their costs.

Good luck!

This article is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

My smile was ruined by an affordable dental implant doctor

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My two front teeth had become loose, so I began searching for an affordable dental implant dentist. I found an ad that met my criteria. When I went in for the estimate, I was told I needed those teeth to be extracted at that time, as well as bone beads to help with the healing.

After six months, and no front teeth, the dentist told me he could not perform the implant surgery because I didn’t have enough bone, and my gums needed treatment. He indicated I would need additional procedures prior to the surgery. Now I have no front teeth, no idea if they should have been removed originally, and just want my smile back!

What should I do?

Hank

Dear Hank,

The fact that you don’t know the cause of your loose teeth is a significant red flag. If the cause was periodontal disease, you would not have been a candidate for dental implants to begin with. The doctor should have discussed this with you from the get-go. It’s difficult to tell if your teeth could have been saved without knowing the cause. This is s a major concern.

However, it is likely, going forward, that you will need additional treatments prior to the implant surgery, in order for the implants to last. It would be a good idea to consult another dentist before proceeding. Also, there is no reason that you should not have been given temporary replacement teeth. Typically offices offer partial dentures, of flippers to keep the other teeth from moving, maintain the right amount of space, and to help make it easier for you to eat. It is not too late for these.

Make an appointment with another dentist to assess all of this this before moving forward.

This article is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry, Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider.

Are redo dental implants more affordable?

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I have already had dental implants once. I’m now learning that I need to have them redone and am wondering if any of the expenses carry over to the second attempt. To give some background, I am learning that my original implants didn’t take and now my dentist is saying I need to have them redone and is expecting me to pay full-price for the procedure.

Is this advisable?

Thanks,

Mandi

Dear Mandi,

I’m not sure what your timeline looks like, as you didn’t mention how long ago you received your original implants. It usually takes six to 12 months for them to fully integrate with the bone. I’m wondering if you’re still within this time frame. While poor placement, infections, or some medical conditions can cause problems with the healing, it is rare for them to not take at all.

If your implants have in fact failed, the first step is to determine the root cause. Hopefully your dentist has already discussed this with you. However, if this discussion has yet to take place, try to find out the cause prior to any work being done.

In regards to the second procedure being more affordable, some sort of discount or comped work would be advisable. It’s unclear if your implant failure could have been predicted, or prevented. If it indeed could have been prevented, you should not have to pay a dime. If this is the case, request a refund and find a more skilled dentist. It would also be a good idea to get a second opinion before moving forward.

This article was provided by affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are partial implants good for me or my dentist’s pocketbook?

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I have had dentures for some 15 years now and recently decided I was ready for a new set. When I went in and discussed it with my dentist, she asked about my current set and I told her I was pretty uncomfortable and I didn’t like how they looked. She told me I could go with a new set of dentures, but she also mentioned getting implants. She said they could do a half one, or a partial implant, I think she called it. They would look more like real teeth, be more secure, and more comfortable, but they are more expensive. When I mentioned it to my son, he made it sound like the dentist is just trying to take advantage of “an old lady.” Are these partial implants not good for someone like me?

Barbara, Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Barbara,

It’s not surprising that your dentures are uncomfortable, especially if you have had your current set for some time. Unfortunately, when there are no teeth in your jaw, the body thinks there is no need for the minerals in the jawbone there and the minerals are absorbed elsewhere in the body. When this happens, the jaw shrinks and changes.  This leads to discomfort in the dentures.

Why partial implants?

Your dentist may have suggested partial implants as a viable way to maintain some of the minerals in your jawbone. When there are implants, the body treats them just like roots from real teeth and the minerals, and the shape of your jaw, are maintained. These implants help keep the dentures in their place. When you don’t have to worry about your dentures slipping and they are more comfortable, you naturally tend to smile more.

It is true that partial implants cost more than a replacement set of dentures. It requires thedentures anchored by mini implants placement of a few root forms to anchor the dentures, but it is considerably less than a full set of implants.

If your dentist suggested a partial implant, she must have thought you would be a good candidate. Implants aren’t the best option for everyone, but your dentist will discuss all the health considerations before proceeding. She wants your procedure to be successful just as much as you do.

A second opinion can always be obtained if it would put your son’s mind at ease.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Are there things I can do to help my dental implant succeed?

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I am hoping to get a dental implant to replace a tooth in the front of my mouth. I have had a lot of dental work done before. Some of it was in an emergency situation, some of it just regular check-up findings. Some of the dental work I have had done was great and helped, and sometimes it wasn’t so great. Because of my varied experiences, I am a little nervous about getting an implant. Several people have scared me with stories of failed implants. Are there things I can do or watch for to help make sure mine is successful?

Thanks,

Jeffrey, Milwaukee

Dear Jeffrey,

That is a great question and there are things we can suggest to help your dental implant succeed.

First and foremost is choose the right dentist.

There are many dentists across the world who claim to be able to complete a dental implant. Dental implantology is not a specialty that is officially recognized, like orthodontia, but there are credentials that dentists can receive for additional study and practice in dental implants. Do your homework when choosing a dentist. Look for a diploma or ask about accreditation from the International Congress of Oral Implantologiests or the American Board of Oral Implantology.

Don’t go cheap.

The dentist who will help your dental implant succeed is not going to be the cheapest dentist. That’s because he will use high-quality materials. Substandard materials that may be cheaper will lead to problems with fit and the life and quality of the implant.

Give your dentist a thorough medical history and complete any pre-implant testing.

Your health plays a role in the success of your implant. You will be asked for your medical history and may be asked to complete a CT scan. Sometimes people wonder if that is necessary when you get xrays done every year at your exams. The answer is yes.

Dental implant root base in bone.

The doctor needs to make sure you have adequate bone structure to support implants and needs to know where to place the root forms so they don’t go into your sinuses. The easiest way to find that out is through a CT scan.

Even following all the instructions of a competent dentist, there are times when unforeseen complications arise and the implant may fail. Your body may just not respond well to implants. There is a risk of failure with most medical procedures. Sometimes, even with top experts and ideal scenarios, a procedure may not work and that is a risk you take.

We wish you luck with your implants.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

 

Will Teeth Whitening Hurt My Dental Implants?

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I’ve got three dental implants. My teeth have been slowly yellowing and I’d like to whiten them, but I’m worried they’ll damage my dental implants. My dentist gave me the screw retained kind of implant so I think I can take them off while I’m whitening if necessary. I think he did that because I told him I wanted to whiten my teeth when we were discussing my tooth replacement options. Unfortunately, my dentist has been sick and is taking an extended leave, so I’ve got to figure this out on my own.

Logan L.

Dear Logan,

I’m sorry your dentist has been ill. I’m guessing you feel out of balance trying to make plans without your normal care giver. I wish your dentist would have whitened your teeth before you received your dental implants. That makes matching everything much easier.

You can still whiten your teeth without fear of it damaging your dental implants. Teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, so the gel will whiten your teeth and leave the implant crowns as they are. However, that leaves you with a separate problem. It leaves the implants exactly the way they are. So, if they matched your implants to your older teeth (which I hope they did), they will not match your new beautiful, white color.

Fortunately, you do have screw-retained dental implants. That’s good, because it makes it easier to remove and replace the crown. So, get your teeth whitened. Then give it a couple of weeks for the color to settle down. Make sure your new dentist has some skill with cosmetic dentistry.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are All Affordable Dental Implants A Waste of Money?

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My sister went to Mexico because she wanted to get dental implants, but needed to find someplace which was affordable. It was actually cheaper to leave the country and visit Mexico every other month for close to a year than to pay to have it done here in the states. She researched and went to a dentist who’s done the procedure many times and seemed to have a good experience. Sometime after everything was completed things started to fall apart. She developed an infection. She visited the dentist in Mexico again to have everything looked at. He gave her an antibiotic and sent her home. Then, not too long after she finished the antibiotic her entire face swelled up. She wasn’t even able to get there so I took her. The dentist said it failed and removed the whole thing. Now she has to start all over and has nothing to show for all the expense and travel. I had considered getting dental implants because she’d started out with such a great experience, but now I’m wondering if all affordable dental implants are a total waste of money.

Melissa M.

Dear Melissa,

First, your sister should try to get at least some of her money back. I don’t know if the dentist will do it, but it’s at least worth a shot. In Mexico, there is no recourse even if the dentist totally botched the procedure. It’s up to the dentist to make things right.

There are also no regulations about keeping things sanitized and such. Again, it’s up to the dentist to decide the standards. That could have led to her infection, but we’ll never know. Even though she researched this dentist, they often change their practice name if they develop a bad reputation and make up qualifications in these border town medical practices.

I don’t know if the dentist mentioned this to her but in order to re-do the procedure she’ll need to have bone grafting done. She likely lost a lot of bone with the infection and the implant needs to be stabilized.

If you’re looking for affordable dental implants, you have many options, but you’re safer going to a reputable dentist in the states, where dental implants have a 98% success rate. There are times where a patient and dentist can do everything right but still have a failed implant; however, it’s not nearly as common here for that to happen.

Depending on your case, you may choose to have a combination of bridges and dental implants, or mini implants, or even full dental implants done with affordable payment plans. The key is to find a skilled dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are Veneers Truly Necessary with Dental Implants?

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I went to a dentist to get dental implants. I needed two on my front most teeth because of an accident I had in my teens. I’ve been wearing a flipper. My family dentist when I was younger told me as soon as I reached my mid-twenties to get implants placed. Well, the time has come. I specifically looked for a dentist who advertised affordable dental implants and was known for doing good work.  He also promotes himself as an expert cosmetic dentist, which I felt would bode well for me getting natural looking implant crowns. However, when I went in for my consult he said I’d also need porcelain veneers (two on either side of the front teeth) in order to get my smile to match.  I don’t have that kind of money. Is this an actual necessity?

Steve O.  – Michigan

Steve,

This dentist sounds dubious to me. Let’s start with his status as an “expert” cosmetic dentist. A truly expert cosmetic dentist can match a single implant or porcelain veneer to the rest of your smile. He (or she) wouldn’t need you to get a full set of veneers in order to match the smile. If he does, he’s no expert.

Next, we’ll discuss the affordable dental implants. Veneers aren’t a necessity for dental implants. In fact, they’re not done with the treatment unless the patient specifically has cosmetic work they wanted done. In other words, if there are things you’re unhappy with about the adjacent teeth which you want changed, then get the porcelain veneers. Otherwise, just get the dental implants.

It sounds like this dentist is drawing patients in with his affordable prices and then makes up the profit margin by pressuring you to add other services. If I were in your place, I’d ask to see before and after pictures of cosmetic work he’s done. Don’t let him show you stock photos. Make sure you’re happy with the type of results he provides. These are your front teeth and will be very visible. I’d also be interested to know how many successful dental implant cases he’s completed before proceeding. This is an advanced procedure with serious complications if done incorrectly. I’m concerned with his perceived dishonesty. It might be in your benefit to check into other dentists before making a final decision.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Don’t want dentures

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I apparently need to get dentures, but don’t want them. My dentist told me that because of my budget I won’t be able to afford dental implants. I have been really sad that I’m stuck with a treatment that isn’t very good because I don’t have as much money as someone else.  Is there anything kind of treatment in between or am I stuck with dentures? Is there a program for people for people who can’t afford the treatment they want?

Brenda S.- Des Moines, IA

Brenda,

The only programs I am aware of is for women who need dental care because of domestic abuse.  If that happens to be your situation you can contact the people at “Bring Back A Smile” and they can point you in the direction of a dentist who volunteers their time with this organization.

If, fortunately, you are not in that situation, there are other options. You can get a type of affordable dental implants. What  you can do is have mini implants placed along with your dentures.  What it will do is stabilize your dentures. It won’t make your dentures as comfortable as dental implants, but it will keep them from slipping out and will help improve your chewing capacity to more than it would be with dentures alone.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

Is bone grafting something I should consider?

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When I was 12, I lost all my front teeth (top and bottom) in a boating accident. I’ve worn a dental bridge for years, but now the bone loss is getting very noticeable. I’ve been discussing dental implants with my dentist. He says he can do them, but I am not that excited about his apparent level of confidence. He is not enthusiastic about this procedure, and I think I am going to ask him to refer me to a specialist.

Part of the reason for this is that I think I need a procedure called “bone grafting”. I don’t think most general dentists do that sort of thing, do they? And how do you know if you are a candidate for this or not? My health is a little dicey.

Thanks for your help in this matter.

Shelley in White Plains

Dear Shelley,

The best chance for a successful bone grafting procedure is if your general health is good. “Dicey” doesn’t really offer us much information, so you’ll want to be very specific and detailed with the professional you choose to work with. The doctor will consider your general health, but will also examine your CT scans and x-rays. Decisions about this type of procedure are made on a case by case basis.

If you do need grafting, you would be very smart to seek out the services of a dentist who has strong experience with dental implants. Of all dental procedures, dental implant procedures seem to have the most severe consequences when things go wrong. Look for a doctor that has extensive training after dental school, at facilities such as American Academy of Implant Dentistry or the Academy of Osseointegration.

This blog entry was posted courtesy of the office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.