What Long-term Denture Wearers Should Know About Dental Implants

Denture wearers often notice something’s missing. If you’ve worn them for years, this is especially true.

Loose fit is the most noticeable symptom. And the cause can lead you to wonder if there’s a satisfactory solution.

What’s happening?

The shifting and poor fit of your denture is the result of your jawbone wearing away. The clinical term for this condition is resorption.

Bottom-line, your teeth’s roots are no longer capable of adding structure and stability to your bone. But there’s something more significant to reckon with if you’re experiencing this.

Your bone deterioration (resorption) can pose a structural problem if you choose dental implant treatment. There’s a solution and it has to do with the superior results of implants for missing tooth replacement.

Dental implants actually form a new tooth root. This is a key difference in an implant and dentures that fit on top of available gum and bone tissue.A dental implant fuses to the jawbone over time (known as ossiointegration). This creates a more stable and long-term effective structure for your new tooth.

The linchpin

The process of your implant adapting to your jawbone hinges on a primary requirement. You must have a sufficient amount of bone to sustain it.

Your dental implant requires a foundation to anchor your new tooth root. Available bone beneath the surface is necessary for this to occur.

There are fixes for lack of bone structure. This helps assure you, if you’re a denture wearer, that you can experience the benefits of dental implants.

Bone grafts are a common procedure to supplement your bone tissue. Bone is obtained from elsewhere in your body (chin or hip) or from outside donor sources (cadaver).

The new bone tissue will integrate and strengthen your remaining tissue. When the healing process is complete your dental implant can be placed.

Dentures are a common treatment for missing teeth. It’s important to understand that long-term wear can reduce your bone structure and cause complications.

Dental implants are superior for a variety of reasons. Primarily, they preserve your bone structure and actually add stability to it.
Ask us about dental implant treatment as a denture wearer. Schedule a consultation to assess your available bone structure and discuss the numerous benefits of implants.

Best Dentist 2014 – Main Line Today Magazine

I am always honored when my patient’s vote for me as “Best Dentist on the Main Line” in Main Line Today magazine. This is our 4th consecutive year making the list of “Top Dentist on the Main Line” and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your votes, friendship, and loyalty.

Will My Dental Implant “Get Along” with My Other Teeth?

You know that feeling of introducing something new to an already established routine or location? Yes, that feeling.

Well, no worries when it involves your missing teeth. More specific, when you choose dental implants to fill the gap.

Your decision to replace your missing or damaged teeth with dental implants gives you advantages. One, your implant doesn’t intrude on your surrounding teeth.

Stand-alone security

Dental implants function independent of your adjoining tooth or teeth. This doesn’t imply that your implant has no beneficial, supportive impact on how your teeth. Think of your dental implant as a solid, new tooth root. That’s precisely the implant’s function – security. The implant is a strong, titanium post that’s inserted via oral surgery into your jawbone. What happens over the next several months is the “magic” of implant treatment.

Compatibility where it matters

Your jawbone tissue is complex. But its complexity allows it to adapt to your new titanium tooth root. Over time your bone surrounds the implant (root). The tissue integrates with the dental implant and creates a solid foundation for the new, visible tooth (crown) to be placed.

A dental implant becomes a natural fixture in your jaw. It functions on its own alongside, but not dependent on, your surrounding teeth.

Structure to build on

Secure, solid tooth replacement is the goal of dental implant treatment. Your implant forms a new structure for completely filling your missing tooth space.

Dentures and/or dental bridges can fill the space. The downside – your jaw bone can erode beneath the surface.

Also, dentures and bridges require the support of your neighboring teeth. Treatment would require anchoring to other teeth and having an impact on those teeth’s healthy surface enamel.

Dental implants minimize or completely eliminate the potential for damage to your surrounding teeth. Implant treatment is a win-win, worry-free, solid alternative for tooth replacement.

Your new implant supported tooth will match your existing teeth. And it will become a natural, functioning part of your mouth.

If Cost is the Reason You’ve Avoided Dental Implants – Think Again!

The word “surgery” brings to mind a number of thoughts. And when it’s oral surgery, such as a dental implant, the concerns can multiply.

Fear of the procedure itself ranks high. So do costs.

The cost factor could be the reason you’ve delayed dental implant placement. Though it’s a common oral surgery procedure, you might consider it out of your price range.

Can you really afford comparison shopping?

It’s important to compare dental implant treatment costs to other tooth replacement options. A long-term investment perspective is useful when you’ve lost a tooth or teeth.

Dental bridges and dentures top the list of comparison options. And it makes sense because in many instances they have a lower sticker price.

Where the comparison ends

Dentures and bridges are popular (and perceived to be cost-effective). Where they differ significantly from dental implants is in durability.

Implant treatment has lifetime value. Your dental implant is designed to outlast most, if not all, tooth replacement options.

The implant is actually inserted into your jawbone (unlike dentures and bridges that occupy the surface of your gum and bone). This helps assure long lasting stability for your new tooth and its function.

During the healing process your bone tissue that surrounds the new titanium (implanted) tooth root integrates with the implant. It actually mimics your tooth structure from top to bottom, including the visible crown on the surface.

Structural stability is a key benefit of dental implant treatment too. The implant stabilizes your jawbone (where the missing tooth gap was located) and prevents bone atrophy from occurring.

Less than what you pay for?

Bridges and dentures lack this stabilizing effect. Over time your jawbone will wear away due to lack of support.

Losing a tooth or teeth changes the shape and stability of your bone and connected tissue. Bridges and dentures will typically lose their fit when this occurs.

Fitting, repair, and replacement issues will require more dental appointments and increased treatment costs. Dental bridges and crowns are also vulnerable to tooth decay and can fail after an average of 10 years.

Your best long-term tooth replacement option

Decay is not a problem for dental implants and their crowns. They preserve your oral health for a lifetime while reducing unnecessary treatment costs.

Your dental implant creates no unhealthy impact on your surrounding teeth. On the other hand, a bridge that requires dental crowns on adjacent teeth can have a damaging impact on your healthy tooth enamel.

Dental implants are also easier to maintain. Keep them free from harmful oral bacteria and you will preserve the health of your surrounding teeth and gums.

And your implant can be brushed and flossed as you would your natural teeth. This helps maintain your mouth’s overall health.

Ask us about other long-term benefits of dental implant treatment. And we’re prepared to offer guidance about financial options and insurance coverage as well.

Dental implants can eliminate the fear of tooth replacement and save you a lifetime of costs. Schedule a consultation and allow us to answer your questions.

Are Receding Gums a Problem for Dental Implants?

It’s often easy to feel you’re out of options with certain dental problems. The good news is that not all dental issues reduce your odds of treatment success.

But you should understand that maintaining your dental health with good hygiene habits now will help the success of any future treatment. Dental implants included!

A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE

For example, gum disease must be controlled. And especially if you’re considering dental implant treatment, your receding gums could reveal the beginning of problems.

Bone loss typically follows untreated (or ignored) gum disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of any gum issues is essential to assure your successful implant placement.

ARE YOU VULNERABLE?

Your gum recession might not lead to gum disease. That’s good news.

Even so, receding gums can cause your underlying bone to become more vulnerable to harmful bacteria. The damage from bacteria can lead to bone atrophy; a problem for dental implant treatment.

Bone grafting is a solution, though it will increase treatment costs and potentially the length of your treatment. This will need to be considered to assure the success of your dental implant.

Gum recession can also expose the upper surface areas of your dental implant. A gum graft could be necessary prior to your implant procedure.

Soft tissue is obtained from available surfaces in your mouth (often the roof of your mouth). The tissue is placed on the areas where your gum recession is occurring.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Gum recession can occur more than once. It’s vital to begin and maintain  good oral health habits.

Brushing and flossing are fundamental for keeping your gums and bone tissue healthy and disease free. Dental hygiene appointments (twice per year) will help to minimize the growth of oral bacteria that leads to disease.

If you notice gum recession and are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation. This condition is treatable and we can help assure that it will not have an impact on your dental implant placement.

Kindness, Good Will and Positive Attitude

“When my University City dentist retired after three decades of providing care to my family, I took the opportunity to seek out a more local dental health practitioner. I was first attracted to Dr. Spina because of his academic excellence at the top of his class at Penn and his many academic awards. While I have been in his care for the last several years, and Dr. Spina handled some difficult issues successfully for me. I am very happy with the results. I appreciate his kindness, good will, and positive attitude as much as his easy proficiency. Dr. Spina is an excellent dentist, and I recommend him wholeheartedly.”

—Hope Dunlap

5 out of 5 stars

Keeping My Pearly Whites Perfect

Dr. Spina and Staff,

Thank you so much for all your hard work keeping my pearly whites perfect! After getting two crowns, my smile has never been better. Every visit (even very early in the morning) is a pleasure with Dr. Spina and his staff, I can’t recommend them enough.

Despite my absolute terror when seeing the Novocaine needle, Dr. Spina is always gentle and I never feel a thing. I hope I never have to see any other dentist.”

—Kit Irish

5 out of 5 stars

The Domino Effect and Your Tooth Loss

The domino effect is interesting to observe. A single falling domino sets off a chain reaction that can cause a limitless number of subsequent actions.

Tooth loss is similar.  Losing a single tooth can set into motion a chain reaction in your oral health.

The unseen issue

It’s what happens after tooth loss that matters. Bone resorption is the wearing-away of vital bone tissue in your jaw.

Bone loss follows tooth loss because your tooth’s root is no longer available to anchor and stimulate the surrounding bone tissue. And you will typically be unaware that this is occurring (out-of-sight-out-of-mind).

Your jawbone depends on your teeth to stay healthy. When your tooth root is missing or damaged your bone will eventually wear away (bone resorption).

Visible results

Bone resorption is more noticeable depending on the number of missing teeth you have. Tooth loss, followed by bone deterioration, changes how your jaw (and eventually your smile) looks.

The natural, clean appearance of your jaw line is altered by bone resorption. Avoiding tooth replacement creates noticeable changes to your facial features and smile.

Before you consider dentures

Understand that dentures are limited in stopping bone loss. Dentures primarily replace the top, visible (crown) portion of your missing teeth – not the roots.

Your dentures begin to fit poorly because your bone tissue is deteriorating beneath them. On the surface your dentures may appear fine but beneath (in your jawbone) is where bone resorption occurs.

A solution to stop the “domino effect” of tooth loss

Dental implants change the game. They literally get to the root of your missing tooth problem.

Certainly, implants provide surface appeal. But their significant benefit is creating a new, artificial tooth root that prohibits bone resorption.

Your dental implant has a titanium post that forms a new tooth root. It eventually will be absorbed by your bone tissue and create a solid foundation for your surrounding teeth.

You also have options if you’re a denture wearer. Dental implants can provide support to a prosthetic appliance if you make the switch and have experienced bone loss while wearing dentures.

Bone resorption is an issue if you’re a denture wearer or have experienced tooth loss. Dental implant treatment can reduce your risk or solve your problem completely.

Ask us about tooth loss, tooth replacement, dental implants, and implant supported dentures.

How Vulnerable is a Dental Implant?

You like to invest in things that exceed your expectations. Who needs a let-down, right?

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants will exceed your overall expectations in many ways. Remember the common ways to lose your teeth are dental decay, trauma, or gum disease.

And you want assurance that your new dental implant will not experience a similar outcome.

Are dental implants “bullet-proof?”

It’s common to want fail-safe proof when investing in implant treatment. If you’ve lost teeth as result of dental cavities or periodontal (gum) disease it makes sense to ask if your dental implant is vulnerable to the same.

Fact: Your dental implant is crafted from titanium. The oral bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease cannot have the same impact on your implant.

Reality: Be aware of the deeper affects of oral disease. Your dental implant is part of  your oral health environment.

The implant is inserted into your jaw. The surrounding bone adapts and bonds with your new titanium tooth root.

Bone strength and stability is vital to your dental implant’s success and disease-free longevity.

Bone loss remains a threat if you experience periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay. This can attack the long term viability of your dental implant.

Gum disease is an equal nemesis. If untreated, it can cause your implant to fail and need to be replaced.

Controlling your gum disease in advance of your implant placement is vital. You want to eliminate all potential threats to help assure the success of your dental implant.

Decades of effectiveness

You should expect your implant procedure to last for decades. The linchpin is proper care and maintenance of your oral health.

Remember your dental implant will not be compromised by oral bacteria. But oral diseases can affect your implant’s stability.

Follow a consistent routine of oral health care. And schedule your exams and teeth cleanings to stay aware of potential threats to your teeth, gums, and dental implant.

Question: What are your primary concerns about the longevity of your dental implant treatment? Comment.

Do You Really Have Time for Dental Implant Treatment?

It’s not uncommon to be concerned. Perhaps concern is too strong a word.

Try curious. That’s a better way to view your lifestyle considerations when facing dental implant treatment.

It’s actually more inconvenient to live with missing or damaged teeth. If you’ve delayed tooth replacement with dental implants, wait no more.

A convenient alternative?

There are lifestyle advantages for dental implant treatment. Of course, there’s the obvious aesthetic value.

Your teeth, smile, and overall appearance will improve. And you can also count on convenience too.

Since your implant procedure is oral surgery it might seem odd to tag it as convenient. Yet, you can experience all the benefits of dental implant treatment without significant disruption to your personal and professional life.

Better than imagined

The word “surgery” brings to mind a number of unpleasant thoughts. Among them is the recovery process.

Dental implant treatment is accompanied by a shorter recovery period than most imagine. Generally, you can expect to enjoy a meal of soft foods the day of your surgery, and in most cases you should be able to return to work the following day.

The specifics of your implant treatment will determine your particular outcomes. We will inform you of any issues that could prolong recovery and the return to your daily routine.

You could require additional treatment to assure that your dental implant procedure is effective. Bone grafting and a sinus lift are two related treatments that can lengthen your treatment and recovery period.

Avoiding complications

Your regular routine would be delayed if any complications arise from your dental implant procedure. We are prepared to develop your personal treatment plan, answer any of  your questions, minimize your infection risk, and anticipate the post-operative issues unique to your specific treatment.

Follow all prescribed pre- and post treatment recommendations. Medications (preventive antibiotics), oral hygiene instructions, and treatment follow-up requirements are essential to your successful treatment.

Remember, your jawbone is bonding with your new dental implant. This process requires several months of healing after your implant is placed.

The bottom-line

You should be able to return to work and your regular routine within hours or days of your dental implant treatment. Reduce your risk of complications by following all of the post-treatment instructions we provide.

The benefits of dental implant treatment are significant compared with the recovery process. You will experience a healthier mouth, long-term function, and an improved appearance with dental implants.

Question: What are your treatment concerns as you consider dental implants? Comment.