implant overdentures Archives - Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Dentures that Won’t Make Me Gag

November 9, 2022 by writeradmin

I haven’t been to the dentist in close to 20 years. As a result, my teeth are an absolute wreck and I need to get dentures. The problem is that I have one of the worst gag reflexes known to man and dentures require an upper plate. I even gag when trying to brush my teeth, which is why my teeth are such a mess. A friend of mine said there is a way to get dentures that don’t need a plate. Have you heard of those?

Camilla

Dear Camilla,

Implant Overdentures

I am sorry about your gag reflex. That sounds a bit miserable. The good news is your friend is correct. It is possible to get dentures without needing a dental plate. You do that by getting implant supported dentures, also called implant overdentures. These use between four to six dental implants per arch and then anchor your dentures to them. In addition to being completely secure, you will also find you can eat anything you want. Even the best fitting removable dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. This is not something you will have to worry about with implant overdentures.

The downside is two-fold. Dental implants are more expensive. They also require surgery in order to place the implants firmly in your jawbone. Patients find that the pros far outweigh the cons.

If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford six dental implants, you can get snap-on dentures. These only require two implants on the bottom arch. For the top arch you will need more.

I suggest you talk to a dentist who offers dental implants and have a consultation with him or her to see what options are best for your situation and budget.

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

My Dentures Won’t Stay In

February 7, 2022 by writeradmin

I’m am only 58 years old and have lower dentures. They will not stay in anymore. My dentist told me that I have lost a lot of the ridge that holds them in. Is there anything I can do to keep them in? Not even adhesives work at this point?

Della

Dear Della,

Before and After Facial Collapse

This is a difficult position you are in. When you first got dentures, your body immediately recognized that you did not have teeth on your bottom arch anymore. In order to be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible, it began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body where it feels they will be more useful. This has the unfortunate effect of shrinking the jawbone, which includes the ridge that holds in your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. By the way, it also tends to make you look older than you are as well.

Implant Overdentures

The solution to this is bone grafting. It is an outpatient procedure that will build the bone back up. Once you have that bone you have a couple of choices. You can just get dentures again, but you will have the same cycle of facial collapse start again. Ideally, you would instead get implant supported dentures. These use between four to six dental implants and then anchor the denture to them.

If you cannot afford that many dental implants, you could look into getting snap-on dentures. This uses just two implants and your denture will snap onto them. This will keep your bone in that area from shrinking, which will prevent them from falling out ever again. Obviously, the implant overdentures will be more secure because they have more implants, but even just the snap-on dentures will be a good option for you.

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

Dental Implant Perforated My Sinus

December 21, 2019 by writeradmin

I’m not sure what to do. I had implant surgery, but the oral surgeon seems to have perforated the sinus. He noticed this six months later, when the implant still hadn’t integrated. He removed the implant, started me on Flonase and told me not to blow my nose until he gives me the all clear. He said this was normal and happens all the time. He also said it only perforated a few millimeters and we can try again when I’m ready. My questions are as to whether I should try again if this is normal. Would I be better off with a dental bridge?

Sara

Dear Sara,

A side by side comparison of a dental bridge and a dental implant

While some oral surgeons may consider it normal, it is preventable. I’m also quite concerned he said “only a few millimeters.” Really? In dentistry, that is a significant amount. When a dental implant is removed, it leaves a deficit of the bone necessary to support a dental implant. In order to have an implant successful, you’ll have to have bone grafting done.

Dental Implants versus Dental Bridge

You asked if you should try again or get a dental bridge. It would help to know the differences between the two so you can know what each requires.

With a dental bridge, both adjacent teeth have to be ground down to fit dental crowns. Then, a false tooth is suspended between the two crowns. If one (or both) of those teeth need crowns, then it makes sense to get a dental bridge. However, if those teeth are healthy, you may not want to grind them done unnecessarily.

With dental implants, as you know, you can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. It does require surgery, but it is most like having your own natural tooth again.

Getting this Dental Implant Done Right

It’s up to you which procedure you decide on. If you decide to go with a dental implant again, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the oral surgeon you used last time. My suggestion is you find a good implant dentist and ask them for a different surgeon. It is always better to see the implant dentist before the surgeon anyway. This way you can make sure they communicate with one another clearly so you know the oral surgeon will properly place the implant where the dentist needs it. They should also do adequate x-rays, including three-dimensional ones. This will help prevent sinus perforation.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool 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.

What if I Can’t Afford My Dental Procedure?

December 29, 2017 by writeradmin

I’m in need of replacing several teeth and my dentist is insisting I get dental implants. What do I do if I can’t afford the procedure? Are there options? Do I just leave the spaces blank?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Image of a traditional implant and the more affodable mini implant

A traditional dental implant compared to a mini implant

It actually makes me angry when I hear about situations like yours. Yes, dental implants are the ideal procedure when you’re talking about replacing several teeth, especially because of the possibility of facial collapse. But, they’re not the only procedure. His job, as your dentist, is to provide you an explanation of all the options available to you, give his recommendations and why, then let you decide. Not everyone is working under the same budget.

Finding Affordable Dental Options

In your situation you have several choices.

Affordable dental implants. Things like implant overdentures are a great option when you can’t afford the ideal. You’re certainly not the only one facing this, so don’t feel badly about it.
A Dental Bridge. Depending on how many teeth you’re talking about, this could be a great secondary option, especially if any of the adjacent teeth are in need of a crown anyway.
A removable partial denture. This would be my least favorite option because your quality of living won’t be as high, but it is still an option. It can often be used as a temporary solution while you work out financing for the ideal.
Payment Plans. Many dentists work to be affordable, do that by offering payment plans so you can get the care you need, then slowly pay it off. Some do in-house payment plans. Other dentists use Care Credit—a medical credit card that offers low and no interest payment plans.

This is the minimum amount of information your dentist should have provided you. If you’re not getting the whole picture, you might be better served getting your oral healthcare elsewhere.

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