My snap-on denture bone graft failed

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I agreed to two dental implants for a lower snap-on denture. My dentist said my jawbone had shrunk from having all my teeth missing for 15 years, so he needed to do bone grafting. We waited two months, and then during my second follow-up appointment, my dentist said that the bone graft failed. I am disappointed that I must start the process all over. I know my dentist has placed implants for at least a hundred patients. Although I didn’t think about it before, I wonder if he is not is good with bone grafting. Although I like my dentist, I hate the thought of another bone graft failure. I don’t know what to ask you, but I’m nervous and want some insight into the issue. – Thank you. Isaac from TN

Hello, Isaac,

Thank you for contacting our office.

We understand your concern and hesitation. Although many dentists have implant training and place implants frequently, fewer dentists have lots of bone grafting experience.

It is good that your dentist is upfront with you and did not try to place your implants anyway. Any implant denture—including a snap-on denture—requires good bone support. Otherwise, both the graft and implant will fail.

What to Do After Bone Graft Failure

Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.

Healthy bone grafting will help secure your affordable implant denture

If you have experienced bone graft failure and are hesitant about letting your dentist try again, consider these options:

  • Talk to your dentist about your concerns – It may be easier to decide what to do if you ask your dentist how much bone grafting experience he has acquired over the years. You can also ask if your dentist knows what caused the bone grafting failure and what he will to do prevent it from recurring.
  • Ask for a referral – You can ask your dentist to refer you to a periodontist (implant specialist) or an oral surgeon for grafting and implant placement.
  • Get a second opinion – You can get a second opinion from a dentist with advanced implantology training who regularly performs bone grafting procedures.

Each time you experience bone graft failure, you must wait for the grafting sites to heal before another attempt. Weigh the pros and cons and do what you think is best for your oral health. Best wishes for a resolution and being able to enjoy your new implant denture.

Steven Brooksher, DDS is a cosmetic and implant dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will help you determine what to look for in a dentist in your area.

 

Extract Remaining Teeth for Dentures? 6 Facts to Help You Decide

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I have advanced tooth decay and gum disease. My two center front teeth are healthy, and after a visit with the periodontist, he says that those two teeth are likely the only ones he can save. I have a cheap bulky partial, and I have an underbite. My dentist thinks that removing the two teeth and getting a complete denture would be healthier than partial dentures. I got a second opinion, and the dentist said that he could do either option, and it’s up to me. I guess that a full denture would look better than a partial. I’m asking a couple of dentists online for their help. My budget is limited, and I’m concerned about that too. But I’ve learned my lesson about neglecting my teeth, so although I’m not too fond of debt, if I need a loan to correct the situation, I’ll apply for financing.  Is it best to have my center front teeth removed or to get partial dentures around them? Thanks. Timothy from Huntsville, AL

Timothy,

For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth personally and do x-rays.  We’ll give some principles based on your description of your oral health. But we can give you some principles that might help.

Save Your Teeth or Extract Them for Dentures?

The factors below and talking with your dentist can help you decide if you want to keep your teeth or get full dentures.

1. It’s usually best to save healthy natural teeth

When your natural teeth are healthy and won’t compromise your oral health, it’s usually best to save them. Replacing teeth with a removable appliance—a partial or full denture—has many disadvantages. The denture can move or slide if it’s not anchored, and it won’t be comfortable.

2. When few teeth remain, they are under stress

If you only have two upper teeth that are healthy, the force from your lower teeth when you bite and chew puts stress on the upper teeth. Pressure on the teeth can weaken them internally, even if they appear healthy on the outside.

3. A full upper denture increases comfort

Suction keeps a full upper denture in place, and it moves less than a lower denture. It’s more comfortable than a partial denture, and it’s easier to eat and chew with it.

4. A well-made upper denture is healthy for other teeth

A well-made upper removable denture is gentle on lower teeth. If you have a severe underbite, the force or impact of chewing can put stress on lower teeth.

5. When all your teeth are missing, your jawbone is affected

Teeth stimulate the jawbone, so when all your teeth are missing, the stimulation stops, and your body resorbs the bone. After 10 to 20 years, you’ll lack enough jawbone to support your facial muscles, and your face will sag and make you look older. The missing bone will make it difficult—if not impossible—to keep a lower denture in place. But you will still have some suction for an upper denture.

6. Implant-supported dentures increase function and comfort

Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.

Affordable dental implants will secure your dentures

Your dentist can tell you if you’re a candidate for an implant-supported partial denture or an implant-supported denture. Either option might exceed your budget, but implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent further shrinkage. Your denture won’t slip around, and it will be comfortable to eat and speak with it.

Again, Dr. Brooksher hasn’t completed your oral exam or seen your x-rays, so you’ll have to rely on a local dentist for accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is an accredited cosmetic dentist and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Diabetes and Dental Implants – How to Choose Your Dentist

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My mom has type 1 diabetes and is recovering from severe gum disease. The teeth that she hasn’t lost are weak and rotten. I’m afraid for her health. I’ve suggested that she gets dentures and two mini implants. She is concerned about her diabetes because she’s already had a foot infection that was hard to control. Is type 1 diabetes a reason not to get dental implants, or are there certain precautions we can take? Thanks. Ada from Montgomery, AL

Ada,

Although type 1 diabetes is a risk factor, it’s not a reason to avoid dental implants. Precautions start with the dentist’s protocol to assess risk factors for each patient with careful diagnostic work. Your mom’s diabetes must be well-controlled to prevent the condition from interfering with the implant healing process.

Selecting an Implant Dentist for Patients with Diabetes

We recommend scheduling at least two appointments with a dentist who is a fellow of the Academy of Implant Dentistry or the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Also, look for a dentist with advanced training in cosmetic dentistry to get natural-looking dentures for your mom. What can you expect from a dentist with these credentials?

  • Medical and dental histories review – After thoroughly reviewing the histories, an implant dentist will be aware of all risk factors, including type 1 diabetes. The factors help determine if dental implants are an option.
  • 3D CT scan – Oral anatomy is clearly defined on the scan to show how and where your dentist will place the implants.
  • Digital placement – Digital navigation helps your dentist during implant surgery. Although the surgery is minor, a dentist must position the implants in the optimal location to promote healthy healing.
  • Restoration – A dentist with a fellowship in implantology will perform the surgery and restore your mother’s missing teeth with dentures. If one doctor completes both procedures, it eliminates miscommunication that sometimes occurs between a dentist and an oral surgeon. And it will save your mom extra fees that she would pay to an oral surgeon.
Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.

Affordable dental implants will secure your dentures

As few as two implants can stabilize dentures. Mini implants or snap-on dentures will give your mom’s dentures some stability and help limit jawbone loss. Standard implants increase stability. And the stability will increase with the number of implants she receives. You can help her achieve a successful outcome by researching top implant dentists in the area.

Steven Brooksher, DDS is a cosmetic and implant dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery.

Need Teeth Extracted Before Dentures? 3 Facts to Consider Before Visiting an Oral Surgeon

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I hate the thought of wearing dentures at 50, but most of my teeth are missing. The few that are left have deep decay. The drama with my teeth comes from years of neglect when I was younger. Now I’m stable and can afford to do something about my teeth and smile. I guess I have a little less anxiety about dental appointments than when I was younger, but I’m concerned about having any type of surgery. I’m wondering if I should see an oral surgeon first and get the remaining teeth pulled or if I should go to a dentist and let him refer me to an oral surgeon. Thanks. Brad from AR

Brad,

There dentists who can do both—extract your teeth and provide you with dentures. Extractions before dentures are not complicated, and many general dentists do both.

  • Search online for a dentist with at least several years of experience.
  • Call their offices and ask how the dentist handles cases when a patient needs extractions before dentures.
  • The office representative’s answer will explain if the dentist completes extractions and provides dentures.
  • If you choose a dentist who refers patients to an oral surgeon for extractions, he or she will coordinate your care.

Relieving Your Anxiety

As you call dental offices, ask an additional question: What does the dentist do to calm anxious patients? Many dentists are gentle and successful in helping patients relax and receive painless treatment. Others offer sedation dentistry, which is anti-anxiety medication—varying in different strengths depending on your anxiety and the procedure you’ll receive.

Some Advice on Stabilizing Your Dentures

A common source of anxiety about dentures is fear of them clicking, sliding around, or falling out. If your budget allows, consider stabilizing your dentures with dental implants.

What Are Implants?

Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.

Affordable dental implants will secure your dentures

Implants are small screws that are embedded in your jawbone like tooth roots. But when all your teeth are missing, implants are used to support your denture. Your implant dentist can attach an arch of replacement teeth—or a denture—to at least two dental implants.

Benefits of Implant Overdentures

  • Minimize denture movement. Dental implants anchor a denture. And with four to six implants, you’ll have minimal movement with your denture, and it will feel more like your natural teeth. It’s much easier to bite and chew food with stable implant overdentures.
  • Preserve your facial features. You’re only 50 years old. The longer you wear dentures, the more your jawbone will shrink. Natural teeth stimulate the bone and prevent it from shrinking. But dentures don’t stimulate your jawbone; they put pressure on it and make it shrink faster. Dental implants rescue your jawbone from shrinking away and making your face sag prematurely.
  • Provide a better experience overall. Most fears about wearing dentures are related to how much they will move and shift in your mouth and how they will look. Cosmetic dentists are skilled at providing dentures that look like natural teeth.

If you search for and find an implant dentist with cosmetic dentistry skills, it will erase most—if not all—your worries about dentures.

Take time to find a dentist who will correctly and beautifully restore your smile.

Steven Brooksher, DDS is a cosmetic and implant dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will give you ideas on what to look for in a dentist in your area.

Where Is The Cost Information on Dental Websites?

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Hi there,

I need a tooth replacement and want a dental implant. However, I’m looking for an affordable dentist, so I wanted to compare cost information. However, none of the cosmetic websites I’ve checked had any pricing information. How can I find out the cost of my procedure before the appointment? I don’t want to waste my time or the dentist’s time.

Phoenix, from Mesa, Arizona

 

Hi Phoenix,

Most dentists don’t post their dental information online as they think it will make them look unprofessional. Dentists prices vary due to payment plans or the type of insurance patients have. So putting prices of dental care online may not be accurate.

Choosing a dentist is not the same as choosing a car dealership. Picking the cheapest option may not be a good idea when it comes to dentistry. A dentist that is cheaper upfront may use lower quality materials, which may cost you more in the long run. On the flipside, the dentist with the highest fees may not be the best, either.

Whoever gives you a dental implant should use high-quality materials, so it will last a long time and not require any future work. Getting a dental implant from a cosmetic dentist is better than seeing a general dentist. Dental implants take a lot of skill and experience to place correctly. A general dentist may offer a cheaper price, but it may be placed incorrectly, and end up costing more due to increased appointments to fix it.

If you want to know pricing information before making an appointment, call a few cosmetic dentists in the area and ask for the ballpark prices of a few key procedures: a cleaning, a multi-surface composite filling on a molar, and a posterior crown. Any fees that see extremely high or much lower than the others are places to be avoided.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Stephen Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

Can You Keep a Snap-On Denture in While You Sleep?

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If you have a snap-on denture, you might be tempted to keep sleep overnight without removing it. It might feel so comfortable that you don’t see the need to remove it. What should you know about sleeping in dentures that are secured with affordable dental implants?

Why Would Anyone Want to Sleep in a Snap-On Denture?

If you’re not familiar with snap-on dentures, they are a type of implant overdentures.

Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable option for dental implants

A snap-on denture is secured with just two dental implants, so it’s more affordable than other types of implant overdentures. The denture feels more stable, and it doesn’t slip around or fall out. Some people become so comfortable with the way their dentures fit that they forget to remove them at night—or they want to sleep in them.

Sleeping with Snap-On Denture

A traditional denture rests on your gums. It’s not good to sleep with it on because it puts continuous pressure on your jawbone and accelerates shrinkage. It also promotes the growth of bacteria. But a snap-on denture is different.

A snap-on denture snaps on and off dental implants. The denture rests on the implants, not on your gums. You can sleep while wearing it. But you must be diligent about daily cleaning the denture so you can keep your breath fresh and maintain good oral hygiene. Remember that saliva production decreases overnight, and as we age, so your mouth and dentures will need moisture and cleaning in the morning. Clean your snap-on denture at least once a day.

How to Clean Your Snap-On Denture

  • Remove your denture and clean it with an extra-soft toothbrush and mild liquid soap or non-abrasive denture and gum paste. Avoid using regular toothpaste.
  • Gently scrub the O-rings that snap onto the dental implant abutments (connectors that are attached to the top of implants).
  • Remove food particles and debris and rinse your snap-on denture thoroughly.
  • Clean your mouth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Brush your gum tissue, the roof of your mouth, tongue, and implant abutments.
  • Many patients benefit from using a water flosser, which shoots a powerful stream of water to flush away any remaining debris in your mouth and around the implant.
  • If you want to remove your denture overnight, place it in a water-filled denture box.

The longevity of your snap-on denture and affordable dental implants is partially dependent on how well you clean them. So even if you decide to sleep overnight while wearing your snap-on denture, remember to remove it daily and keep it clean.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.

4 Clues to Recognizing When Dental Implants Are Too Cheap

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The cost of dental implants varies depending on where you live in the country, as well as the fees of the dentist or oral surgeon. On average, a single implant can cost $1500-$3000.

When Are Dental Implants Too Cheap?

Your dental implants might be too cheap if the dentist:

  1. Doesn’t review your health history and just schedules you for implants
  2. Only takes basic x-rays of your teeth without doing a 3-D CT scan
  3. Tells you about steps he or she will skip to make implants more affordable
  4. Has only completed a few implant cases

Where to Start

You can call dental offices or schedule consultations with two or three implant dentists. As you compare and record the costs from each dentist, find out what services are included in the prices you are quoted. Surgery (including bone grafting, if needed), lab fees, the type and quality of implant fixtures, implant crowns, sedation, and other services factor into the total cost.

Getting the Right Perspective on Affordable Dental Implants

If you want to receive quality implants that last, consider looking for a competitive price from a highly skilled implant dentist. Avoid searching for cheap dental implants. Ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s dental implant cases.

Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable option for dental implants

Ask for information on financing, payment plans, and other ways that each dentist makes implants affordable for you. If you need multiple implants, consider having the work done in phases as your budget allows. If all of your teeth are missing, implant overdentures are an affordable way to stabilize your dentures and improve their function.

Details that Matter

Regardless of the cost of your dental implants, ensure your dentist has received advanced, post-graduate training implantology. Successful implant dentists adhere to a strict process for positive outcomes. Your dentist’s process should include the following:

  • Thoroughly reviews your health history to ensure you’re a candidate.
  • Uses 3-D CT scans to accurately capture your oral anatomy and surrounding structures. This ensures accurate implant placement.
  • Uses high-quality implant fixtures.
  • Provides quality dental crowns for the implants. The results will look like your natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge, LA implant dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher. Dr. Brooksher is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the world’s largest dental implant organization and largest provider of continuing dental implant education.

5 Ways to Get Quality Dental Implants Without Draining Your Wallet

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If you are missing teeth or if you need dentures, there are ways to get dental implants that will last and that you can afford.

Ways to Receive Implants You Can Afford

1. Receive fewer implants

Dentures can be secured with as few as two dental implants. More implants will increase stability, but if your budget is limited, start with two implants. More implants can be added at a later date. What are your options for stabilizing your dentures?

Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.
Snap-on denture
  • Removable implant overdentures – Ball retained (snap-on dentures) or bar retained
  • Fixed implant overdentures – Two to six standard implants can be placed, and tiny screws will be used to secure your dentures to them.

2. Limit the size

Mini implants are smaller and more affordable than standard implants. But they are not as strong—and in most cases, they cannot be used for a single tooth, unless the tooth is small. Dentures can be secured with two mini implants, but you can increase stability with four of them.

3. Have the work done in phases

It’s possible to have your dental work completed in phases.

  • You can receive high-quality dentures first. Later, they can be fitted for dental implants.
  • If you want good stability with your dentures, you can have two implants placed at a time.
  • If you are replacing single teeth, replace one tooth at a time with a dental implant. Wear a partial denture while you’re waiting to replace teeth.

4. Consider financing

Most dentists offer financing or payment plans. CareCredit is a common financing option that is available through most dental offices. Or you can apply for CareCredit on your own and use it for medical or dental expenses. You will be able to pay for treatment over time. Once a phase is completed, you can apply for additional credit.

5. Carefully select a provider

It’s easy to find a dentist to place your implants at a low cost. Make it a priority to find a dentist who is experienced and trained in implantology. What should you look for?

  • Dentist’s advanced training in implantology and the amount of training received
  • Ask how many dental implants he or she has placed
  • Look on the website for patient photos of implant cases the dentist has completed, or ask to see photos
  • Ask what protocol the dentist uses to ensure accurate placement. 3-D digital x-rays should be used.
  • Find out who will be performing the surgery (dentist, a periodontist, or an oral surgeon)

Your choice of a dental implant provider is crucial to the success of your implants. You will likely regret selecting an inexperienced dentist or one who take shortcuts just to save you money.

Schedule Consultations First

Ask family members or friends for a recommendation of an oral surgeon or implant dentist. Also search online for an implant dentist with advanced training and years of experience. Schedule at least two consultations. Take notes to compare your options and make a wise decision about getting implants that you can afford and that won’t have to be redone.

  • Horizontal diagram of four phases of the dental implant process: 1 - implant inserted in bone; 2- healing process; 3- placement of the abutment, or connector; 4 dental crown is attached to the abutment.
    Implants need to be precisely placed for proper healing and function

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher. Dr. Brooksher is a fellow of the  International Congress of Oral Implantologists.