Archive for January, 2010

My dental implants are failing repeatedly.

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Please help me – I am feeling sad and depressed. Is there anything that can be done to reverse the rejection of a dental implant? This is a new implant in my back right molar area, there is no crown yet. I had the implant sur! gery a few weeks ago immediately after a tooth extraction. The dentist is trying a new wider screw that he said could be done immediately after the extraction. Just a few moments ago, I felt it moving around and the area is very sensitive. It felt solid until just late today. A few months ago, I lost an implant after the permanent crown was attached. I was able to remove it myself after it felt like it was floating in the socket!!! The dentist tried to implant another screw but accidentally installed it too deep, through the bottom of the jaw bone. He is giving that area a rest, having done a minor bone graft.
- Cathy from South Carolina

Cathy,
It’s hard for me to tell for sure what’s happening in your case. It could be that you are one of those people where your body has a hard time accepting dental implants. There are people like that. Or it could be that your implants aren’t being placed properly. If all of this was done by one dentist, I would suggest getting a second opinion to learn a little more about which it could be.

When you say that you had this one implant placed immediately after a tooth extraction, I’m concerned about that. If the tooth that was extracted was infected with periodontal disease, that infection could be transferred to the dental implant, and this could be the problem.

Here is a list of possible causes of a loose dental implant:
Stress is placed on the dental implant before the bone around the implant has a chance to fill in.

Infection around the implant.

There wasn’t enough quality bone around the implant.

It heals properly, but later becomes infected.

I hope this is helpful.

As far as the implant you now have that has become loose, there isn’t really anything that can be done to tighten it up. It will have to be removed. If you can get to the bottom of what is going wrong, it could then be possible to later place an implant that will properly integrate with the bone. Look for an implant dentist with a lot of experience and credentials. Training by Dr. Carl Misch, membership in the International College of Oral Implantologists or other dental implant organizations – these are good signs that help indicate that an implant dentist knows what he or she is doing.

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Should I have a soft denture liner?

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Dear Dr. Hall, I’m 73 years of age and about to receive dentures, both upper and lower, but reading to learn as much as I can FIRST.

I have worn an upper partial or flipper for six years and realize I may have a problem with gagging as I had the dentist “shave” back the hard plastic that goes back into upper roof of my mouth. I am considering mini implants, but would also like to know about the soft denture liner. My question is – does the soft denture have to go as far back in roof of mouth? Would I do much better seeing an oral surgeon? My dentist did not give me any options.
Sincerely, Sarah from Texas

Sarah,
Your dentist should give you the option of dental implants, and if he or she hasn’t, I would suggest getting a second opinion, because you need to consider that option and know all about it in order to make an intelligent choice. But I don’t recommend going to an oral surgeon to consult about the implants. While oral surgeons are often the ones that place the dental implants, the planning of where they are to be placed and how many and what kind you need should be done by the restorative dentist who will be the one eventually placing the teeth and taking responsibility for the success of your case. Without direction from a restorative dentist, those implants are often incorrectly placed.

In order for a complete removable denture to have enough suction to stay firmly in place, it needs to cover your palate, and it’s best if it goes all the way back to the start of your soft palate. Now even with covering the full palate like that, your chewing efficiency is going to be cut in half. Yes, the upper denture can be cut back, but the more you cut it back, the more unstable it is going to be.

Using a soft denture (a regular removable denture with a soft liner in it) usually improves the suction and the stability a little, and it definitely improves the comfort. But it is still best that it cover your entire palate.

Using dental implants can help stabilize the denture and make it so that you don’t need to cover the palate at all. Mini implants aren’t very sturdy, and many implant dentists won’t use them, but it they may stabilize your denture a little bit. For solid stability, you should have full-sized implants placed.

I would definitely recommend that you get an opinion from a dentist who has a lot of experience with dental implants before you go ahead. I’m basing that on your statement that your dentist didn’t give you any options. You need to know all your options. Especially with your gagging problem – you could end up with a denture that you simply can’t wear.

Dr. Hall

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