dentures Archives - Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Is It Too Late for Me to Get Dental Implants?

December 21, 2024 by writeradmin

I’ve been in dentures for about ten years. I wanted to get dental implants originally, but they were so expensive. I’ve saved up, but when I went to see my dentist about switching out the dentures for dental implants, he said it was too late. Apparently, my bone shrank. Did it really take me too long? Is there any way around the bone thing or am I stuck with removable dentures?

Paulie

Dear Paulie,

If they only issue is the shrinking jaw, then, no, it is not too late for you to get dental implants. You will just need an additional procedure first. I don’t know why your dentist didn’t tell you about it.

When you removed your teeth, your body recognized that and began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in order to use your body’s resources as efficiently as possible. This has the side effect of slowly shrinking your jawbone. This is known as facial collapse. That bone is essential to help you retain your dentures. Without it, your dental implants will fail and fall out.

What you need is a bone grafting procedure that can build back up the bone. Once that has healed, then you are safe to get dental implants. Dentures can be anchored to them, giving you a secure smile. These are known as implant supported dentures. You won’t have to worry about losing any more bone structure because the dental implants signal to your bone that you have teeth which need to be secured.

Don’t pressure your dentist to do this. It sounds to me like he either hasn’t kept up with the field or doesn’t know how to do it. You will be better off finding a dentist who is trained in the procedures you need.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

My Mother’s Teeth are Falling Out

October 28, 2023 by writeradmin

We recently moved my 82 year old mother across the country to live with us. We didn’t realize how bad things were, even though we skyped with her every week. We purchased a house that had an extra room for her and moved her in. The other day one of her teeth fell out. I’ve scheduled a dental appointment for her, but today another one fell out. Have you heard of this? We’ve spent all of our money on this house and my mother has even less money. Can you give me an idea of what we’re looking at? Because she is a new patient, our appointment is still a few weeks out.

Belinda

Dear Belinda,

Older woman smiling

First, I will say that I am glad your mother has you. It is wonderful that you are willing to take care of her. If your mother’s teeth are just falling out, then she is in the advanced stages of periodontal disease. It is very likely that the remainder of her teeth are not far behind these two.

Under normal circumstances, I would suggest dental implant retained dentures. However, these are very expensive. While they do prevent facial collapse, given your mother’s advanced age I don’t believe that will be something you will have to plan for or worry about.

In her circumstance, your most affordable option would be to get her completely removable dentures. This is something any dentist can do. If the advanced periodontal disease turns out to be accurate, given the financial situation, I suggest you just go to an affordable dentist to have her treatment done. As long as the denture fits well, that is all she will need.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Will My Face Really Collapse if I Get Dentures?

May 30, 2019 by writeradmin

I’ve had massive problems with my teeth. So much that they’re all coming out. I’m new in my career and don’t have a lot of money. Because of that, I want to get dentures. My dentist wants me to get dental implants and said because I’m in my 30s getting dentures would cause my face to collapse. Is that true or is he trying to scare me into the more expensive procedure?

Marcus

Dear Marcus,

dentures and dental implant side by side

I don’t know how your dentist explained this to you. I’m sorry you have had so much trouble with your teeth. What your dentist is calling facial collapse, is a term used to describe the shrinking of your jawbone.

This happens after your teeth are removed. Your body recognizes there are no longer teeth roots there. As a result, in an effort to be efficient, it takes the minerals from your jawbone and redistributes them elsewhere to areas it perceives they’ll be more useful. As your dentist mentioned, this has unfortunate repercussions.

How Dental Implants Prevent Facial Collapse

As you can see from the image on the top right, dental implants place a prosthetic root in your jawbone to replace the root you lost when your tooth was extracted. This signals to your body that there are still teeth there and your jawbone remains intact.

So, here’s is what I’m going to recommend to you. First, try to save all the teeth you can. Natural teeth are always worth fighting for. You can get dental implants for the ones which can’t be saved.

If you are unable to save any teeth, it would be too much money for you to do a one-to-one ratio of teeth to implants. Instead, you’d get something called implant overdentures. This places four to six dental implants and then you can anchor a denture to them.

This gives you the protection of dental implants without needing one for each tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Dental Implants or Implant Overdentures

February 5, 2019 by writeradmin

I’m a little confused. I can’t figure out the difference between dental implants and implant overdentures. Some people seem to use them interchangeably but I think they’re different. Can you help me? I need to replace a few teeth and don’t know which one to get.

Sandy M.

Dear Sandy,

A dental implant is the fixture that is implanted into your jawbone to take the place of your tooth root. When the healing period is over, then it is topped with a porcelain crown to stand in for the visible part of your tooth.

Uses of Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. They’re also used to completely replace all your teeth. That’s where implant overdentures can come in handy.

Because these are the top of the line procedure for replacing your teeth and the procedure itself is very advanced and requires a great deal of post-doctoral training, it is the priciest of your options.

If you wanted to replace each and every tooth with a single dental implant, you’d end up costing yourself a fortune. Implant overdentures gives you the advantages of dental implants without having to place one at every tooth.

You can usually place four to six dental implants per arch and then anchor a set of dentures to them.

Advantages of Implant Overdentures

When your teeth are removed, your body begins to reabsorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. This has the unfortunate result of causing your jawbone to shrink.

After a number of years, there isn’t enough jawbone left to retain dentures. This is known as facial collapse. The implants protect you from this because your body interprets the implants as teeth roots and leaves your jawbone intact and secure.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Dentist Says Dental Implants are a Necessity

December 9, 2018 by writeradmin

I’d planned on getting dentures once my teeth are extracted. However, my dentist says he only does partial and no longer does complete dentures. Instead he’ll only offer me dental implants. Of course, they’re way, way more expensive. That doesn’t make any sense to me. I noticed on your site you offer both. Is my dentist just making a money grab?

Megan

Dear Megan,

It sounds like your dentist will only offer what he considers the ideal treatment. Dr. Noah’s treatment philosophy is not everyone can afford the ideal. Instead, he’ll tell them all the pros and cons of their decision and then leave it up to them.

It’s a shame your dentist just told you the ideal without explaining why. I’ll try to explain the difference here.

The Danger with Dentures: Facial Collapse

When your teeth are removed, it doesn’t just take the crowns of your teeth, but the roots underneath the gums as well. Your body recognizes this and (being the efficient living machine it is) decides to take the minerals in your jawbone which were used to help support your tooth roots and use them elsewhere in your body where it perceives they will be more useful.

The sad result of this is your jawbone begins to shrink. This is known as facial collapse. It means after 10 or more years, you will appear many years older than you really are. Even worse, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to support your dentures.

Dental Implants Prevents Facial Collapse

If you look at the image at the top of the page, I have a side by side of dentures on the left and a single dental implant on the right. Notice especially the dental implant. There is a root form that is implanted into your jawbone. Then, after a healing period, a porcelain crown will be placed on top.

It’s the prosthetic root which signals to your body, “Hey! There are still teeth here. We need our jawbone.” This protects your jawbone from being resorbed.

Implant Overdentures Can Save You Money

While dental implants are more costly, implant overdentures can work using just four to six dental implants and then attaching the dentures to them. This has several benefits.

It much less expensive.
It will preserve your jawbone.
Your dentures will be secure, unlike regular dentures.

Again, I’m sorry your dentist didn’t explain this to you. I hope it helps in your decision making process.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Noah Ryan.

Why is My Face Shrinking?

October 13, 2018 by writeradmin

I’ve heard you can get smaller as you age, but lately, it seems like the lower half of my face is shrinking as well. I don’t know what’s going on. My dentures barely fit anymore. I’m afraid to go out in public because there’s no room for them and they slip out. Is this typical?

Avery

Dear Avery,

An illustration of the damage done by facial collapse using two pictures of a woman, one before and one after

Wearing Dentures for Too Long Causes Facial Collapse

What you’re suffering from is known as facial collapse. This occurs when you’ve been wearing dentures for a number of years. When you remove your teeth, your body realizes that you no longer have teeth roots in your jaw. Because our bodies are incredibly efficient (I mean what other pieces of equipment holds up for 80 years living mostly off burgers and fries?), it resorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere, perceiving they’re no longer needed.

This is why your jaw is slowly shrinking. It’s also why your dentures no longer fit properly. Eventually, you will be unable to keep them in your mouth at all, leaving you a dental cripple stuck on a liquid diet. I’m concerned your dentist neither warned you about this nor recognized what was happening to you.

A Solution for Facial Collapse

There are two solutions for you. Both will include getting bone grafting done. This is where a surgeon builds back up the bone you’ve lost. After that, you can choose to have your dentures remade to fit the new structure. Just bear in mind, you’ll face the same issue of disintegration that your original dentures caused.

Another option is for you to replace your teeth with dental implants. This uses prosthetic tooth roots, usually made out of titanium, to help your body to know the bone is still necessary to hold in the new roots of your teeth. They have other benefits as well.

Advantages of Dental Implants

They are permanently secure. Once they’re placed, it’s like having healthy, natural teeth back. There’s no slipping. No sliding.
Your chewing capacity will increase dramatically.
They protect you from developing facial collapse.

The key is to communicate with your dentist and let him look and advise.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool Dentist Dr. Noah Ryan.

Affordable Options for Dental Implants

May 31, 2018 by writeradmin

I need to get almost all my teeth replaced. Are dentures a decent affordable option for dental implants?

Casey

Dear Casey,

Wearing Dentures for Too Long Causes Facial Collapse

Are dentures affordable? Yes. Are dentures an option for dental implants? Yes. Are dentures a decent option to dental implants? Absolutely not. Look at the image above. This woman has lost most of her jawbone, a condition commonly known as facial collapse. It’s caused by wearing dentures for too long, meaning about ten years or so, depending on your bodies reaction. Here’s why.

The moment your teeth are removed, your body begins reabsorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere throughout your body. This causes your jawbone to get smaller and smaller. The longer this goes on, the less jawbone you have. Eventually, you won’t even be able to wear your dentures because there will be no ridge for them to adequately rest on.

Dental implants protect you from facial collapse. It does that by having prosthetic implants in your jawbone. That tells your body the minerals are needed and leaves them in place.

Working with Dentists to Get Affordable Care

You don’t have to compromise on your procedure to afford the care you need. First, you should know that in most cases the dental implant procedure is paid for in stages because the procedure itself is done in stages. That may help you with the cost.

If you’re having trouble finding a dentist who’ll allow you to do that, I suggest you do a search for “affordable dentist” online. They will be much more willing to work with patients financially. Those who don’t have in-house payment options will work with Care Credit.

Care Credit is a medical credit card. But, it has better features. You get to pick your terms. Depending on your credit, you can even get zero percent interest on repayment. Plus, if you end up having additional funds, there is no penalty for early repayment.

I hope this helps you.

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

Dentist Said My Face Will Collapse with Dentures

February 15, 2018 by writeradmin

I don’t know if my dentist is saying this just to scare me into dental implants, but thought I’d check just in case. I’m losing my teeth due to a lifetime of both problems that could and couldn’t be controlled. My dentist wanted me to get dental implants, but they cost a fortune. I was considering dentures, but he says they make your face collapse. Is he just trying to scare me into the more important procedure?

Troy M.

Dear Troy,

Has your dentist given you a reason to think he’s manipulated you in the past? If so, that would be an egregious breach of trust between a patient and caregiver. Whatever his character, in this case, he’s right. Though, when he talks about your face collapsing he doesn’t mean your whole face. He’s referring to your jawbone shrinking.

Once you remove all your teeth, your body reabsorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere throughout your body. This causes your jawbone to shrink little by little. As that progresses, you’ll no longer be able to wear your dentures because they won’t fit.

Why Your Dentist Suggested Dental Implants

Implants, as their name implies, places a titanium implant into your jawbone. Then after your bone has reabsorbed around the implant and is stable, your dentist can place a porcelain crown on top. Now you’re talking about all your teeth, so you don’t want to pay for a one-to-one ratio dental implants to teeth, unless of course you are independently wealthy.

Generally, you would get implant supported dentures, which is a mixture of the two treatments. It anchors your dentures to your jaw. This prevents you from losing mass in your jawbone and keeps your dentures from slipping and sliding around. Obviously, the more dental implants the better.

Talk to your dentist about what would work best in your particular situation. However, if you don’t trust your dentist, you’d be better served looking for another dentist which you can. Be sure to check their reviews so you get some idea what you’re getting into.

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

Dentist Refusing to Give Me Dentures

November 27, 2017 by writeradmin

I’m very worried. I’ve been in an accident that is causing me to lose most of my teeth. In preparation for that, I went to my dentist to make plans for dentures. He told me it’s imperative I get dental implants. It’s not that I don’t want them, it’s just I can’t afford them. He is absolutely refusing the give me dentures saying that at my age (I’m 23) it would be irresponsible. What should I do? It’s not like it’s any more responsible for me to be without teeth. Can you advise?

Daniel M.

Dear Daniel,

First, let me express sorrow that your accident has caused you such devastating trouble. I’m sure this has been an extremely distressing situation for you. I also understand that it would be extraordinarily difficult for a 23-year-old just starting out in life to afford a procedure like dental implants. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t think you’re going to get anywhere with him, so you’ll be better served going to a different dentist. However, I am going to explain his concerns and what your options are.

While he’s handled the situation poorly, his concern is valid. At your age, if you were to get dentures and stick with that procedure, you’ll be afflicted with facial collapse before you even hit 40 years of age. While I know you can’t afford full dental implants there are ways to get as much protection for your jawbone as possible.

Affording Care You Can’t Afford

The first thing I’d do is see if there are ANY teeth which can be saved. Even one or two is better than nothing and will preserve some bone. There are dentures which can be made to have holes in them where you still have natural teeth to fit through.

Next, if there are even just a couple of implants you can afford that will help. Your dentist can strategically place them to give you maximum protection. Ask about implant overdentures.

Then, as finances allow, you can add implants your treatment plan.

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

I’m Being Bullied By My Dentist

April 26, 2017 by writeradmin

I’ve lost several teeth. I don’t have much money, so I thought I’d get a removable partial denture. My dentist insists I get dental implants. He keeps telling me I’ll ruin my life with dentures, but I don’t want to go into debt for a procedure I can’t afford. He won’t shut up about it. Is it really that horrible a decision?

Brooke – Texas

Brooke,

This type of behavior from a dentist really galls me. While dental implants may be the top of the line treatment, it also comes with a top of the line price tag. Not everyone can afford that. And dentists need to understand that.

There is something called phased treatment that affordable dentists are very willing to suggest and provide. You can start off with a removable partial denture. Possibly you could even afford to have it anchored with a mini implant. Then as you have the money you can switch to a full implant. Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost, you may only need one or two.

While his methods are a bit bullish, he likely only has your well-being in mind. Dentures can be uncomfortable and reduce your chewing capacity no matter how well made they are. Then, there is the loss of jaw bone minerals that come from not having a tooth root anymore. With dental implants, the body is tricked into thinking that root is still there and you retain all your minerals.

In your place, I would just tell him this is what you can afford and that’s that. If you’re interested in working toward another treatment, you can tell him that. It may shut him up. But, either way, it’s your mouth, your budget, and your choice.

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