After six pregnancies where I threw up constantly, my teeth are practically crumbling. My dentist is convinced they can’t be saved and want me to get implant overdentures. The problem is I just can’t afford twelve dental implants. I’ve worked my budget every which way and it is impossible. I am stuck with dentures. He keeps telling me if I do that I will have an ugly smile. It’s not like I WANT dentures, but if that is all I can afford, is there any way for me to have a pretty smile?
Laura O.
Dear Laura,
That must have been a tough group of years. You are a trooper! The first thing I would do is get a second opinion about whether or not your teeth can be saved. It’s possible they can’t, but it is worth looking into. If it turns out that your teeth cannot be saved you can have a beautiful smile. The number one factor in determining that is not the procedure, but the dentist who is doing the procedure. You’ll want someone who has excellent cosmetic dentistry skills. Both removable dentures and implant-supported dentures use dentures, so they can be beautiful.
It’s possible what your dentist meant were the effects of facial collapse from removable dentures. When your teeth are removed, your body signals that you no longer have any teeth roots. Then, it begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. It does this as a means of being efficient with your body’s resources. While great for your body’s function, it has the unfortunate side effect of slowly shrinking your jaw. After about ten or so years, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to keep your dentures in. It also makes you look decades older as your jaw appears scrunchy.
While dental implants do protect you from that, if you can’t afford that, you can’t afford that. There is a way to save yourself some money. One thing you can do is just get fewer dental implants. You won’t really have to have any on the top arch because those dentures are held in by suction. Focus on the bottom arch. Even two dental implants will make a difference. Obviously the more implants the better, but I’d strive for two implants if at all possible.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.