I’ve had dentures for ten years. Originally, I got them because it was my only option. My finances were a disaster back then. Now I’m in a better place financially but my dentist said it is too late for me to get dental implants? Before I give up hope, I want to get another opinion. Is it ever possible to get dental implants years after having dentures? I just want a higher quality of life.
Karen
Dear Karen,
I am glad you wrote. I not only can give you hope; I can give you a solution. You can get dental implants after having worn dentures. The stipulation is you often need another procedure to prepare your jaw for the implants. Looking at the image above, you can see (and know from personal experience) the dentures just rest on the ridge of your lower jaw. With dental implants, an implant is surgically implanted into your jawbone.
After ten years with dentures, that is enough time for facial collapse to become an issue. What that boils down to is there may not currently be enough bone left to support your dental implants. I don’t know if that is why your dentist said it is too late or if he just didn’t want to admit he hasn’t yet learned how to do dental implants. Either way, it is not completely honest.
Getting Dental Implants after Facial Collapse
You can still get dental implants, you just have to have some bone grafting done first. This will ensure there is enough bone structure there to retain your dental implants.
Honestly, it is great that you’re doing this now. In the very near future, you would have lost so much bone you would not even be able to retain your dentures, making it impossible for you to eat normally.
What to Look for in an Implant Dentist
This is an advanced procedure so I’m going to suggest three things:
- Look for a dentist with post-doctoral training in dental implants.
- Look for a dentist with a high success rate (98% or higher)
- Look for a dentist with the training to perform the surgical portion so you can get the entire procedure done with one doctor, this helps avoid communication errors and misplacement of the dental implants.
An added bonus is if you can also find an AACD accredited dentist. This will mean when your new smile is created, it will be stunning. You can get better functioning teeth and a complete smile makeover all in one.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.