I think my husband needs to switch out his dental implants for the non-metal zirconia kind. I am very sensitive to smells to the point that I get sick. There has been an awful smell with my husband’s dental implants. I think it is because the metal in the implants is reacting and making this smell. His dentist is acting like I’m insane. I don’t think I would be getting this type of treatment if we were seeing a holistic dentist. Right now he just has the temporary acrylic dentures so I think it is the perfect time to switch before the permanent ones are made. Is there anything I can tell this dentist to convince him my husband needs to switch?
Beth R.
Dear Beth,
I am sorry you are struggling with the smell. I will be upfront right away and say I do not think it is coming from his dental implants. I will go over why in a moment. However, I do think the most logical culprit is the acrylic denture. It’s possible that there is food and bacteria getting trapped in there that would be causing an unpleasant odor. One thing you can try is to get a Waterpik. This will help get anything that is getting trapped in there out.
You are probably frustrated with my answer but I hope after you read this you’ll understand why I don’t think the implants are the problem. Yes, titanium is metal, but it is very inert. It is non-reactive and bio-compatiable. It’s has been used as a prosthetic for decades, not just in dental implants, but also in hips, knees, and several other uses. I bet if you asked your husband’s dentist to let you smell a titanium dental implant that he has in his office. I would be surprised if there was any smell at all because of how inert it is.
The Problem with Switching Out Dental Implants
Once the dental implants are placed, the bone will integrate with them. In fact, if the bone doesn’t integrate with them, it is considered dental implant failure because there is nothing securing them. To remove the dental implants will require removing bone as well. That is an additional surgery. Then, because your husband needs the bone to retain the implants, he will require ANOTHER surgery which will graft bone into that area. Only after that is done and healed, will you be able to place the zirconia implants. That is three additional surgeries, all of which carry with it the risk of failure or other complications.
My suggestion is to try the waterpik and see if that works before doing anything drastic.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.