Baton Rouge Dentist

Am I Too Young For Dentures?

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Hi,

As a child, I never learned how to take care of my teeth. I also never went to the pediatric dentist, either – I didn’t see any dentist until I was in my twenties. When I finally went in, it was for a toothache and the dentist found that nearly all my teeth had serious issues. I was quoted an insanely high treatment plan estimate – nearly $10,000, even with insurance! I can’t afford that, but I’ve been going in whenever there’s a problem. Since then, I’ve had multiple teeth pulled, and I don’t see that stopping in the foreseeable future. I asked if I could just get dentures instead, but was told I was too young (I’m in my 30s). Would dentures really be that bad? It’d be nice to have a beautiful smile for once. Am I really too young for dentures?

Thank you,

Bebe, from Versailles, Kentucky.

 

Hi Bebe,

It’s difficult to fix a problem 30+ years in the making, but finding a supportive dentist will be a good start. Your dentist should have taken your concerns into account. Given your background, it’s not so unheard of to get dentures, even at your age. Your dentist should design a treatment plan that that saves any healthy teeth they can, instead of getting all of them extracted at once. This can be done over time and will save you money.

The only issue with dentures is that they will not feel like your natural teeth. While you may be a candidate for a partial or full upper denture, you can also consider implant overdentures, though implants would increase the cost.

Once all your teeth are extracted, the process of resorption will begin; your jaw will begin to break down over time, and this can lead to facial collapse, where the face is shrunken in appearance. Dental implants in the jaw will halt this process. If you get your teeth out now, you will be dealing with bone loss for the next few decades.

Dentures are not bad, but you should definitely save as many teeth as you can, and hold onto your natural teeth as long as possible. In your case, dentures would improve your smile, life, and confidence, but will lead to the issue of bone loss later on. Take your time with this process, and find a dentist you can trust to lead you through this.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

 

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.

I’m in despair. Can’t afford implants. I’m going to lose my jaw.

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I’m in complete despair. I’m losing a lot of my teeth because of an accident. I can’t afford dental implant, which means dentures. Now my dentist tells me if I don’t get implants, I will lose my jawbone.  Is there some way I can use supplements to keep my jawbone?

Lola V. – Pittsburgh

Lola,

There isn’t a supplement that will keep your jawbone. The reason for that is the cause of the bone loss. When your teeth are removed, your body begins reabsorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere throughout your body. The only way to keep that jawbone is to trick your body into thinking there is still a tooth root there.  Dental implants do that.

I know you said there is no way you could afford them, but I wondered if you looked into affordable dental implant options, such as mini implants?  I would discuss it with your dentist. It will still require a denture, but it will help retain your jawbone.

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

I’m worried about my jawbone

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My jawbone is getting smaller. My dentist says it is because I have dentures instead of dental implants and that it will keep happening. I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford dental implants, so my dentist says there is nothing more he can do for me. Are there no options?

Henry C. – Frankfurt, KY

Henry,

I’m sorry for the situation you are in. Did your dentist mention mini-implants? I hope so.  It is unethical to not give all your treatment options.

Mini-implants are a more affordable option, so that may be something you can do. It costs less, because the surgery is much simpler.

I am a little concerned about your bone loss. If you don’t have enough bone structure, which may be the case if you were recognizing it visually, then you’d have to have some bone grafting done, which will increase the cost.

Many dentists have payment plans that are low and even no interest. You might look into that as well.

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

PERIO SURGERY VS. DENTURES?

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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.

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

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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.