Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Implants after Years in Dentures

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I have had dentures for 13 years. I have always hated them, but when I received them, no one told me about the options for dental implants. I approached my dentist about it hoping I could switch, but he said I have been in the dentures too long to get the implants. However, he is the one who didn’t tell me about the implants to begin with and I’ve learned they were around then. Can I trust this dentist? Is it possible I can still get the implants?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

implant overdentures

I am glad you wrote. First, a word about your dentist. He was under an ethical obligation to give you all your options when he placed you in dentures. The fact that he did not either means he is unethical or he doesn’t know his field well enough to know all his options. Neither one of those is a great option for a dental practitioner. I think it is time to find a new dentist.

As to your ability to get dental implants now, as long as you are in good general health, it is probably possible, but you may need one additional procedure first. When your teeth were removed, your body began to resorb the minerals in your jaw that made up your jawbone. It does this because it recognizes you no longer have teeth there so you don’t need those minerals to keep anything in place. Instead, it transfers those minerals to a different location in your body where it feels those minerals will be of more use. It is a remarkably efficient way to use our body’s resources.

Unfortunately, after somewhere between ten and twenty years, you will no longer have enough jawbone to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. I’m guessing thirteen years into this journey, you have begun to notice your dentures move around more than they have in the past. The solution to this is to have a procedure known as bone grafting done. This will rebuild the missing bone structure.

Once that is done and healed, you will be able to move forward with your dental implants. When you are talking about all of your teeth, it is much more affordable for you to get implant-supported dentures. With this procedure, you will have between four to six dental implants placed and then your dentist will anchor your new dentures to them. It is all the security of dental implants without having to place an implant for each tooth.

I mentioned earlier that you need a new dentist. However, that will be even more important if you decide to go forward with the dental implants. This is an advanced procedure that is not taught in dental school. Instead, your dentist has to take extensive post-doctoral training. Your dentist has obviously NOT done that.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Will I have an Ugly Smile with Dentures?

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I have had four pregnancies in a row where I vomited every day of the entire pregnancy. My teeth are a mess. They are literally crumbling. I can’t afford much dental work, as you can imagine with four children. They’re also the focus of any money I have for dental care. Because I am losing so many teeth I just want to get dentures. My dentist tells me my smile will be horrible with dentures. He wants me to get dental implants, but I’d have to sell my house to do that. There is absolutely no way I can do that. Am I condemned to an ugly smile for the rest of my life? Are there any in-between options?

Katarina

Dear Katarina,

Illustration of facial collapse

You are in a tough situation. I can tell you are a good mother because you are willing to sacrifice anything for them. I wish dentists understood not everyone has the ideal budget for things and I can tell you are doing your best. The dentures themselves can be beautiful if the dentist who makes them is a skilled cosmetic dentist, so hopefully, your dentist wasn’t meaning the dentures themselves would be unattractive. My suspicion is he’s worried about facial collapse.

The Danger of Facial Collapse with Dentures

I don’t know your age, but I am assuming you are pretty young. When you remove your teeth, your body will recognize that and will interpret that as you no longer needing your jawbone to retain your teeth. Our bodies are remarkably efficient. As a result, it resorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body where it perceives they will be more necessary. The unfortunate result of this is the shrinking of your jawbone. Eventually, you will lose so much of your jawbone that it becomes impossible to even keep in your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. I’ve placed a picture of this above so you can get an idea of what I mean.

The Compromise Solution

Having upper dentures isn’t as devastating as having lower dentures. I would recommend, in your case, getting dentures for your upper teeth and then, implant-supported dentures on the bottom teeth is a good solid middle ground. While ideally, you’d want between four and six dental implants to preserve as much of your jaw as possible, you can get as few as two and it will help.

The reason dental implants are so useful in this aspect is the implant serves as a prosthetic tooth root. This helps your brain to realize there will still be teeth there, albeit false teeth. Knowing that, your body leaves the jawbone intact.

Getting a Beautiful Smile Regardless of the Tooth Replacement

As mentioned earlier, you can have beautiful dentures made with the right dentist. I would look either for a dentist who is AACD accredited or one who is recommended on the mynewsmile.com website. These dentists have top cosmetic skills and will create a beautiful smile for you.

If you do decide to get some dental implants, be sure they have adequate post-doctoral training. Dr. Cha’s dental implant page will give you a good idea of what type of training they’d need to give you the best chance of a successful outcome.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Am I Condemened to Ugly Teeth because I’m Not Wealthy?

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I am losing my teeth. It can’t be helped and has little to do with my oral health care. My dentist wants me to get dental implants. When he told me the cost per tooth, I almost choked. There is no way I can afford that. I can afford dentures. When I mentioned that to him, he said my smile would not be pretty. What am I to do? Sell a house I don’t even own? Is there any way to get a pretty smile without dental implants.

Karyn

Dear Karyn,

implant overdentures

First, I want to assure you that whether or not you have an attractive smile is more up to the dentist than whether or not you have dentures or dental implants. It’s the skill and artistry of the dentist which makes the biggest difference here. If he’s implying that dental implants are more beautiful than dentures, that is an unfair pressure tactic and speaks more to his investment in doing beautiful work no matter what the procedure than anything else.

The one thing he could be referring to, which is honest, is a rather serious issue that comes with dentures known as facial collapse. When your teeth are removed, your body immediately begins resorbing the minerals in your body to use elsewhere. It does this because it recognizes you no longer have any teeth roots. Without roots, you don’t need that bone to keep your teeth in. So it decides to use the minerals in that bone elsewhere. In as little as ten years, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to keep your dentures in place. Not only that, the shrinking of your jawbone, gives you an aged appearance. This is known in dental circles as facial collapse. It may be what your dentist is referring to by an attractive smile.

Getting dental implants prevents facial collapse because the implants serve as prosthetic teeth roots. This signals to your brain that you still have teeth there and therefore need that jawbone.

Implant Overdentures

implant overdentures

You mentioned the cost per tooth. You may be under the impression that you have to get a dental implant for every single tooth. You don’t. That would be too expensive for just about anyone. Instead, what you would get is four to six dental implants and your dentist will anchor a set of dentures to them.

Doing it this way cuts the cost significantly all while having the same benefits of dental implants. As I mentioned to you in the beginning, the dentures themselves can be beautiful if the dentist knows what they’re doing. You have a two-fold mission now.

First, find a dentist with significant training in dental implant procedures. It’s an advanced procedure, so make certain they received post-doctoral training in them. Second, once you have a list of implant dentists, ask to see their smile gallery so you can get an idea of what type of skill and artistry they have. If you are having trouble finding someone who both can do dental implants and does beautiful restorative work, you can check with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Do a search on their website for an AACD accredited dentist. These are in the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country. I’m certain you’ll be able to find one who can do your work and give you a smile you are proud to share.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can a Smile Be Pretty After Dentures?

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About 30 years ago, I received full dentures. They have always looked fake. Now, as I’m aging, I’m having a hard time keeping them in. Is it too late for me to have a pretty smile? Are there other options for me instead of dentures?

Lucy

Dear Lucy,

Mature couple posing and smiling

No matter what your circumstances, you can have a beautiful smile.

It makes me incredibly sad that you’ve gone this many years embarrassed by your smile, through no fault of your own. Patients don’t always know the options available to them. There are many dentists, Dr. Cha included, who are trying to change that. First, I want to address why you are having trouble keeping your dentures in at the moment.

When your teeth were removed, your body began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone. Within the first three years, you lose up to 60% of your jawbone. After those initial years, the rate of resorption slows down significantly. However, you’ve been missing teeth for 30 years. That is more than long enough to have facial collapse set in. This means you’ve lost so much jawbone, there isn’t enough left to retain your dentures properly.

When this happens, you have to build back up the bone in order to have properly functioning teeth again. This can be done with bone grafting.

Dentures or Dental Implants

After you have built the bone back up, you have a couple of choices. The first is to get dentures again. The biggest downside to that is you will again begin the bone resorption. This leads me to your second option. You can get implant overdentures. These use four to six dental implants to secure your dentures to your jaw.

Having those implants have quite a few advantages:

  • It prevents bone loss.
  • It keeps your dentures completely secure.
  • It greatly improves your quality of life, including your chewing capacity.

Getting a Beautiful Smile

The key to getting a gorgeous smile is the dentist who creates your dentures. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t really taught in dental schools. Because of that, you need to find a dentist who is not only skilled with dental implants (if you decide to go that route), but invested significant time in cosmetic training. The top of the line cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited. That’s different from just membership. Accredited dentists have passed stringent exams on their technical knowledge and presented a large number of specific cases, they’ve personally done, to prove their artistry.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Dental Implants After ten Years of Dentures

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If I’ve had dentures for a bit over ten years, is it too late to switch to dental implants. I never really liked them. My dentist kept saying I’d get used to them, but it just seems like the longer I have them, the worse they get. Hopefully, I haven’t waited to do something about this until it is too late.

Meredith

Dear Meredith,

implant overdentures

While it is not too late, the longer you have been in dentures the more challenging it gets. After ten years, you are likely suffering the effects of facial collapse. This is why it seems like your denture situation is getting worse. It is. When your teeth were removed, your body recognizes that. In an effort, to be as efficient with its resources as possible it resorbs the minerals in your jawbone, which are no longer being used to support teeth, and redistributes the use elsewhere throughout your body.

After ten years, you’re likely finding you are having a hard time keeping your dentures in place. That’s because of how much jawbone you’ve lost. Eventually, you won’t have enough bone left to even support your dentures.

Unfortunately, the bone you need to support your teeth and your dentures are also necessary to keep dental implants in place. The good news is it is not hopeless. You can have bone grafting done. This is an outpatient procedure where they can harvest bone from your body, like your hip, or from other sources. There is also artificial bone. Any of these sources can be grafted onto your existing jawbone to ensure you have enough to support dental implants.

Implant Overdentures

Once your bone is healed, then it is time for the dental implant procedure. My recommendation is you get implant overdentures. These use four to six dental implants which are surgically placed into your bone. Then, once you’ve had enough time for the bone to integrate around the implants, your dentist will anchor dentures to them.

This will be completely different from your current removable dentures. They’ll be completely secure. No more moving or slipping. Plus, your chewing capacity will increase significantly.

The biggest benefit, however, is never having to worry about facial collapse again. The implants signal to your brain that you have teeth, so it will leave your newly grafted bone alone.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can I Switch from Dentures to Dental Implants

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I’ve been in dentures for 25 years. I don’t like them and am having a hard time keeping them in. Is it possible for me to switch to dental implants at this point?

Ken

Dear Ken,

illustration of dentures beside a dental implant

One of the biggest problems with dentures is the shrinking of your jawbone. This is what you’re experiencing right now. When your teeth were removed your body recognizes that. In an effort to be efficient with its resources, it will resorb the minerals in your jawbone where it perceives they will be more useful. That is why your dentures are no longer fitting.

Dental implants prevent that. Your dentist, or oral surgeon, will surgically place the implants into your jawbone. This tells your body that you still have teeth and it preserves your jawbone, preventing facial collapse.

It is possible for you to switch to dental implants. However, because of the amount of bone loss you’ve experience, it will require an additional procedure.

Getting Dental Implants after Dentures

You’ll need to have bone grafting done. This is an outpatient procedure which will build up your bone structure. Once that is healed, then it will be time to start the dental implant procedure. Without that bone, there will be nothing to hold the dental implants in place. They will come loose and fall out.

This is an advanced procedure, so you’ll want to make certain you’re going to a dentist which has the post-doctoral training in that procedure. With an experienced dentist, there is about a 98% success rate. But, you don’t want to go to an inexperienced dentist for this. There are too many things which can go wrong.

The good news is, this is also a chance for you to really update your smile. A dentist who has advanced training in both dental implants and cosmetic dental work can give you a stunning smile. This is the chance for you to get your dream smile. One you’ll be proud to share with the world. The best cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited. So, see if you can find an accredited dentist who does dental implants.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can Dentures Look Nice?

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I’m 39 years old and the victim of a bad gene pool with teeth. Because I couldn’t keep up with all the work I needed, my dentist suggested I just get dentures. While I was happy to be out of pain all the time, they don’t look very natural so I find it a little awkward to smile. I realize they are fake teeth, but can they be made to look natural, maybe even pretty?

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

Woman with beautiful smile
The key to a beautiful smile is going to the best dentist

I’m very sorry you are facing this. It’s amazing how much genetics plays a factor in how our teeth end up. You can do everything right and still struggle with your oral health.

I don’t think your dentist is serving you well. Not only did he create unattractive dentures for you, from what I can tell he didn’t warn you about the side effects. Some of them are a danger at your age.

Dentures and Facial Collapse

An image of a woman before and after facial collapse
If dentures are worn too long it can lead to facial collapse

The biggest thing you’ll have to deal with is facial collapse. Now that your teeth are removed, your body thinks you no longer need the minerals in your jawbone, so it will slowly resorb the minerals in it to use elsewhere in your body. This will cause your jaw bone to shrink. Not only does that make you appear years older, but you’ll no longer even be able to keep your dentures in your mouth because there is nothing to support them.

The solution to that is implant overdentures. This uses four to six dental implants and anchors a pair of dentures to them. The implants prevent your jaw from shrinking. You’ll no longer be in danger of facial collapse.

Additionally, you’ll find that they fit so much better. They will be completely secure. You can eat and drink whatever you want as well as brush and floss normally. It will improve your standard of living to what it was like when you had healthy, natural teeth.

Getting Beautiful Dentures

The key to beautiful dentures is going to be the dentist. Your current dentist will NOT be able to do this. I’m even doubting that he is minimally competent. You will need another dentist.

What you want to look for first is a dentist skilled in dental implants. Ask how many cases they’ve done. What their post-doctoral training is in dental implants. What their success rate is. It should be 98% minimally.

After you find that, ideally, you’d want a dentist who is AACD accredited. Those are the dentists who create beautiful smiles. You’ll be thrilled with the results.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Husband Can’t Wear His Dentures

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I’m worried about my husband. He got dentures, but he can’t wear them. We’ve been back several times for refittings, yet nothing seems to work. I don’t know how to help him. He’s miserable and can barely eat without his bottom teeth. Do you have any advice?

Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,

illustration of dentures beside a dental implant

It sounds like your husband is really suffering. It is not uncommon for patients to have an adjustment period to dentures. For some, it’s quite difficult. Usually making adjustments helps. Others never adjust. This is a chance to evaluate what his next steps are.

If he’s determined to stick with dentures, he could go to a different dentist to try someone else’s hand at refitting his dentures. Another option is a prosthodontist. They have more experience than some of your local dentists, depending on where you live.

An Alternative to Dentures

If he just can’t adjust, he has another option. Dental implants are a fantastic tooth replacement option. These put prosthetic tooth roots into his teeth. He will no longer be in pain. It’s more like having healthy, natural teeth back.

However, there is an even better reason to get them. When his teeth were removed, his body started slowly leeching the minerals out of his jawbone to use elsewhere in his body. It does that to be efficient. This is causing his jawbone to slowly shrink. Eventually, there won’t be enough jawbone left for his denture to stay in place. Dentists call this facial collapse.

Getting dental implants prevents this from happening. Because the prosthetic root is placed in his jawbone, his body interprets this as him having teeth and needing his jawbone. This will change his life. He’ll be able to eat again. In fact, he can eat anything he wants, even steak.

If you decide to go the implant route, make sure your husband sees an experienced and qualified implant dentist. It’s an advanced procedure and requires significant post-doctoral training. For instance, Dr. Cha took every course on it the Misch Institute offered and is a Fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).

I wish you both the best.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Are Dentures of the Devil?

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I have chronic kidney disease. For some reason, which not even my dentist understands, since I’ve been diagnosed my oral health has taken a nose dive. I haven’t changed my habits, so I don’t exactly know what’s going on. Regardless, I’m now in the untenable situation of losing my teeth. My dentist tried valiantly to save them, especially because I’m only in my thirties, but we lost. I was horribly upset at first, especially with everything else tanking with my health, but have sort of resigned myself at this point. My dentist wants me to get dental implants. I’ve had so many medical procedures and surgeries, I am kind of surgeried out. So, I suggested dentures. He acted like I told him I’d like to worship the devil. But dentures have been used for years. Surely they can’t be that bad.

Linda

Dear Linda,

An image of a woman before and after facial collapse

If dentures are worn too long it can lead to facial collapse

First, let me express my compassion for what you’ve been going through. I have a friend with chronic health problems and it’s been a painful and helpless experience watching her suffer. I’m sure you’re suffering too. That being said, and especially because of your other health issues, I want to make sure you get the best treatment possible.

Just because something has been used for years doesn’t always mean it’s your ideal solution. Look at leeches. Yes, they can remove blood, but we have much better means of doing that now. Yes, dentures were used for years and are still in use. In the past, that’s because it was all we had available.

Now we have a much better solution. Your dentist suggested dental implants for a very good reason.

Dental Implants over Dentures

The upper arch of dentures is held in by suction. The lower arch just kind of rests on the ridge of your jawbone. While many people adjust to wearing removable dentures, others find them intolerable. They’re never secure, food gets underneath them while you eat, and even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%.

Though those things can be adjusted to, there is something much more serious in your particular case because of your age. You’re just in your 30s, which means you’ll have to wear these for many years. When you remove your teeth your body begins to reabsorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere.

After about 10-20 years, you won’t have enough jawbone left to support your dentures. You’ll be a dental cripple, barely able to eat. Look at the picture at the top of the page and it will give you some idea of what to expect.

Getting Beautiful Dentures or Dental Implants

Regardless of which procedure you get, you’ll want the results to look both natural and beautiful. Every dentist has a different skill level when it comes to cosmetic work. It’s hard for patients to know ahead of time which ones do beautiful, artistic work and which just barely get by.

To be safe, you’ll want a dentist who’s reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They’re among the top cosmetic dentists in the country and are sure to give you a gorgeous smile. In fact, most of them have a beautiful smile guarantee.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Help! I Have George Washington’s Teeth

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I read once that George Washington had fake teeth and hated them. He felt they were a constant embarrassment. You’d think in the 200 plus years since George Washington had to get dentures, things would have changed. They haven’t. I just got dentures. I’m looking in the mirror and feel like I have wooden teeth myself. I’m in tears. Please, please tell me this can be fixed. I’m willing to pay for the whole thing over again. I’m just not willing to look like this!

Christie Y.

Dear Christie,

So, here’s the thing. Things have improved. Your dentist may be a fine general dentist. He may be very skilled at fixing things. But, when you’re talking about something aesthetic, like your smile, you really want someone who is a skilled cosmetic dentist. Dentures can be gorgeous. They can not only look like your natural teeth, they can look like a stunning celebrity smile.

You can try asking your dentist for a refund, explaining how unhappy you are with your appearance. He may just return the fee, though he may keep lab fees so he doesn’t lose money. If you’re willing to get the dentures re-done, you should look for a dentist who’s reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

These are the top cosmetic dentists in the world. You will not feel like George Washington. You’ll feel like a supermodel.

I want to be sure your dentist spoke with you about the complications of dentures versus dental implants. When you get dentures, you lose jaw bone. Eventually, you won’t have enough jawbone to support your dentures.

Dental implants prevent bone loss. It is a more expensive, but it’s by far a better treatment than dentures if you’re a good candidate. It’s like having healthy teeth in your mouth. I’m worried he hasn’t talked to you about it because his skill isn’t there to perform the procedure. Talk to a qualified dentist to see if you’re a candidate and have them explain the pros and cons of ALL your options.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

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