Should My Husband Get an All-On-Four Dental Implant?

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My husband needs to replace his teeth. Our dentist said that he has lost quite a bit of bone structure and is recommending the all-on-four dental implant procedure. I’ve heard this is a bit of a controversial procedure. Would this be okay for him to get? My husband likes the idea because it means he won’t need the additional procedure of bone grafting. I’m worried because of the controversy behind it. Can you please advise?

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

illustration of the all on four

All-on-Four Dental Implant Procedure

 

One of the problems with the all-on-four procedure is that if one part of the appliance fails, the whole thing has to be redone. This is not an issue with an implant overdenture. If one of your dental implants fails then only that implant will have to be dealt with. If it were me, then I would encourage your husband to go ahead and get the bone grafting procedure done and then get implant-supported dentures instead of the all-on-four.

No matter what he chooses, it is important that the dentist he goes to has post-doctoral training in dental implants. This is quite an advanced procedure and it is not adequately taught in dental school. If something goes wrong, the complications can be quite serious.

Three of the top schools for this are:

  • The Dawson Academy
  • The Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies
  • The Kois Center

There are others, but those three are among the most reputable. Make certain the dentist has that training. There are countless dental implant horror stories.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

 

My Husband’s Dental Implants Smell Awful

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My husband recently received implant overdentures. He only has the temporary dentures, which are acrylic. There are porcelain ones being made. Before those are attached, I wanted to reach out to another dentist because I think we need to switch his dental implants from the metal ones to the ceramic ones. There is a horrible smell in his mouth since getting these metal implants. I feel certain I can smell the implants themselves and the metal is reacting with his mouth. I think this will have long term negative effects on him, not to mention how I can’t stand being by his mouth at the moment. But, his dentist thinks there is nothing wrong. I think he just doesn’t offer the non-metal kinds and does not want us going somewhere else. Is there a way I can convince him something is wrong here?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Titanium and Zirconia Dental Implants

 

While there is something wrong, I don’t think it is what you’re thinking. The metal dental implants are made from titanium, which not only is biocompatible with decades of data. There has been no data showing any reactivity with titanium. It’s often used as a prosthetic and not just for in dental work. It’s used in other medical procedures too. One example is a hip replacement.

As to the smell, titanium is an inert metal, which means it doesn’t have any real smell. You could even ask the dentist to smell one and you’ll understand what I mean. However, none of that answers your question about the smell. A bad smell is an indication that something is wrong. My first place to look would be the denture used for his implant overdentures. It may have some open gaps that are allowing food and other bacteria to get trapped in there, which would make a horrific smell.

I would try having your husband use something like a WaterPik to help clean out the area. If that is the problem, the smell will go away. He’ll need to be extra tedious with his oral hygiene.

Another possibility for a bad smell is an infection, but that is generally accompanied by other symptoms such as pain and / or fever. I would start with the WaterPik and go from there.

Re-Doing a Dental Implant Procedure

Having him switch to ceramic (zirconia) dental implants is not as simple as taking metal implants out and putting non-metal in. First, he’ll need the surgery to remove the implants. This procedure will remove much of the bone in the area. Because of that, he’ll need a surgery for bone grafting to build back up that bone giving the implants a chance of success. Then, after a period of healing from the grafting, it will be time for the dental implant surgery. That’s three additional surgical procedures to switch these implants. Not an easy thing to ask anyone to do.

This blog is brought to you by Marietta Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

 

Should I Save My Last Two Front Teeth?

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I have two healthy front teeth. The rest of my upper teeth are gone. I have been wearing two partial dentures but it has been suggested I would be more comfortable by extracting the last two upper teeth and replacing everything with a single complete upper denture. Though, I’m not sure if it will make a difference I will also add that I have an underbite. I can’t get a dentist to give me a real opinion. Right now, I can still eat just using those two teeth.

Brent

Dear Brent,

With everything I say here bear in mind I haven’t actually examined you so I’m going just based on principles of dentistry in generalities. In order to give a firm recommendation, I would need to examine you and do some x-rays.

Implant Overdentures

In most cases, it is always better to retain natural teeth. In cases where that isn’t a good idea, dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option. I am going on the assumption that you are on a tight budget and that is why you are asking about dentures. They have quite a few problems, so if you are at all able to financially, implant-supported dentures would be a much better option for you. These place four to six dental implants then anchor your denture to them.

For the sake of sticking to your question, let’s assume you can’t get implants. Having an underbite and eating on just those two teeth is putting a ton of stress on those last two upper teeth. Even worse, it will also be adding to the stress of your lower teeth. It is extremely important to save your lower teeth for reasons we’ll go over momentarily.

In your particular case, I think extracting those last two upper teeth and getting complete upper dentures will be an acceptable option for you. You will have more security when you chew not having partials trying to work around your two front teeth. Additionally, the acrylic teeth used in dentures will be easier on those lower teeth when you eat.

The Importance of Your Lower Teeth

While your upper dentures are held in by suction, your lower dentures just sit on the ridge of your lower jawbone. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Even worse, the moment your teeth are removed, in an effort to be efficient with your body’s resources your body immediately begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body.

After about ten or more years, you will no longer have enough jawbone left in your body to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. If you can’t keep lower teeth, then dental implants can help to trick your body into thinking you still have teeth there and thereby protecting your jawbone.

This blog is brought to you by Marietta Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

Are Dental Implants Possible After Years of Dentures?

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I’ve had dentures for a little over twelve years. I’m finally in a financial place where I can get dental implants. Is it too late for me or is it still a possibility? Are there any extra steps I need to take to make it possible?

Aimee

Dear Aimee,

Before and After Facial Collapse

You can get dental implants regardless of how long you have had dentures. However, as you suspected, there is a procedure you’ll likely need before that is able to move forward.

When your teeth were removed, your body recognized that. In an effort to be as efficient as possible, it begins to resorb the minerals from your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. After ten or so years, you are dealing with facial collapse and will start to find it difficult to even keep your dentures in place.

What you’ll need to do in order for this to work for you is to have a bone grafting procedure done. This will build back up the missing bone structure. Once that happens, you are ready to start your dental implant procedure. In your case, because you have complete removable dentures, you’ll get what is known as implant overdentures. This will place four to six dental implants and then anchor your dentures to them.

One thing to be sure of is that your dentist is experienced in placing dental implants. They’ll need to have had adequate post-doctoral training in this procedure. Don’t just go to any dentist. One other thing to be careful with is dentist/oral surgeon relationship. In Dr. Cheeks’ case, she works with a periodontist and oral surgeon on-site.

What you don’t want to do is go to the oral surgeon first without consulting with the implant dentist. If you do, it is possible the implants will be placed in the wrong place and you’ll end up with a dental implant horror story.

The great thing about a new smile procedure is it gives you a chance to obtain a smile you will be proud of for years to come. It will be helpful to take a peek at the smile gallery of whichever dentist you are planning to use, just to make certain they know how to create beautiful smiles.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

If you’re interested in seeing what we could do for you, you might want to take advantage of our free Marietta remote smile consult service.

Dental Implants after Dentures

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I’ve had dentures for quite a few years. I’m getting sick of them. They keep slipping. The last straw was when they fell out as I tried to blow out my birthday candles. Not only was it humiliating but they fell on the cake so there went dessert. Am I too old to switch to dental implants?

Tricia

Dear Tricia,

dentures side by side with a dental implant

I’m sorry for that experience. That must have been very hard for you. The good news is the people who were at your party are people who love you. They likely felt nothing but compassion for you.

Age has nothing to do with whether or not you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you’re in good health, you should be okay. However, that being said, you’ve had dentures for many years.

The reason they’re sliding and falling out is because your jawbone has shrunken. It will continue to shrink as well. This is known as facial collapse.

You Can Still Get Dental Implants

What you’ll have to do is have an additional procedure done known as bone grafting. This will build back up your jawbone so that you can have implants placed. The bone is imperative because it is what secures the implants.

It will be too expensive for you to get a dental implant for each tooth. Instead, I’m going to recommend you get implant supported dentures. Implant overdentures use about four to six implants that anchor to your denture.

They’ll completely secure them and you’ll not have to worry about any loss of jawbone. The implants are what help preserve them.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.