Archives for January 2021

Dental Implants With Metal Allergies

Posted on January 29, 2021 by writeradmin.

I have an allergy to metals, especially nickel and cobalt. Would it still be possible for me to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant or do I need something else because of the metal?

Duke

Dear Duke,

You actually have a couple of good options. The first is to go ahead with the traditional type of dental implant. These are made of titanium. While titanium is metal, it is one of the most biocompatible metals around and it is extraordinarily rare for someone to have an allergy to it. For decades we’ve used it in a variety of prosthetics, including hip joints. The metal allergies you mentioned are two of the most common. I don’t think you are very likely to also have a titanium allergy. However, if you are worried, you can either get tested for that particular allergy.

Other than that, your second option is to look for a dentist who offers non-metal dental implants. Some dentists offer metal-free zirconia implants. They haven’t been around as long so you may have to do some searching to find a dentist who works with them. If you have an allergy to titanium, though it will be worth the effort.

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement options available. It will be like having your own natural tooth again. One thing to be careful about no matter which type of implant you get is that you find a dentist with significant post-doctoral training in dental implants. This is an advanced procedure that is not taught in general dental school. Post-doctoral training will be essential. Another plus will be for you to find a dentist who does both the surgery and the restoration. This cuts down on the risk of miscommunication between the dentist and the oral surgeon.

If you can’t find a dentist qualified to do the surgery, then make sure it is the dentist who determines the implant placement, not the surgeon.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Gum Disease and No Dental Insurance

Posted on January 25, 2021 by writeradmin.

I went to a dentist for the first time in a while. He told me I have gum disease. I don’t have money right now so am waiting on getting dental insurance. Now one of my teeth is loose. What can I put in its place if I lose it?

Mary Lou

Dear Mary Lou,

Gum Disease is serious. You cannot afford to wait on your dental insurance. You need to get in to be seen right away and see if there is a dentist near you willing to work out a payment plan for you. Preventing gum disease is not that difficult as long as you go in for cleanings and do your oral health care at home, such as brushing twice a day and flossing nightly

Once a tooth is loose, you are at a very high risk for losing it. Other teeth will not be far behind. Replacing teeth is much more expensive than regular maintenance.

Tooth Replacement Options

Dental Implants: This is the ideal tooth replacement because it mimics the function of your natural tooth. However, they are not cheap.
Dental Bridge: This anchors a false tooth between two dental crowns. The crowns are anchored on the adjacent teeth. However, if you have gum disease this will put additional stress on those teeth and could cause them to come loose as well.
Removable Partial Denture: This is an inexpensive option for a single tooth.

The Danger of Complete Dentures

You didn’t mention how old you are, but unless you are in your 80s, complete dentures will be a disaster in the long run. Once your teeth are removed, your body begins resorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body in places it feels the minerals will be more useful. After all, you don’t have teeth to anchor.

After ten or so years, you will have lost so much of your jawbone structure that it will result in facial collapse. You won’t even have enough jawbone left to retain your dentures.

This is why, if you lose all your teeth, most dentists will recommend implant-supported dentures. The implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots and signal to your body that you still need your jawbone. However, this procedure is very expensive.

You will save a lot of money by getting your gum disease under control as quickly as possible.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas, a Cater to Cowards Dentist.

Simultaneously Impressed and Hesitant about Clear Choice

Posted on January 17, 2021 by writeradmin.

I have put off doing something about my teeth for so long that now I have no choice. The amount of pain I was in drove me to my dentist. He doesn’t do dental implants so I went to see Clear Choice. Their recommendation is to take out both upper and lower teeth and replace them with an all-on-4 procedure. My dentist agreed that the upper teeth need to come out, but feels the lower teeth can be saved. I keep going back and forth. On the one hand, it would be nice to be done with dealing with these teeth, but I keep having this niggling feeling that makes me hesitant. I don’t know if that is a legitimate concern or just my fear of the dentist and actually going through with this. Do you have any recommendations?

Lewis

Dear Lewis,

I am glad you wrote and am sorry you have been in so much pain. There are a couple of things going on here. We’ll start with the uppers. From what you’ve said, your dentist does try to save teeth that can be saved. This is a good sign. There are some lazy dentists out there who’d rather just collect the fees from extractions than try and save teeth. If he is saying the uppers need to be extracted and replaced, I have some confidence in that. Your next choice with them is whether to go to Clear Choice or another dentist for your dental implants.

Clear Choice tends to push the all-on-4 procedure whether or not it is your best option. While there are times that the all-on-4 procedure is the right choice, it has its drawbacks. For instance. If one part of the appliance fails, the entire thing has to be re-done. Instead, I might look at getting implant overdentures for your top arch. Here is a comparison of the two:

All-on-4 dental implant appliance

With all-on-4, the implants are angled in a way that makes it possible for those who have already lost some bone structure to receive dental implants. As its name implies, it is done with 4 implants only.

dental implant overdentures

If instead, you were to get implant overdentures, there would be more security. While you could do it with four implants, you could use more as well. It’s generally suggested you get between six and eight implants. If one part of this appliance failed, you would only have to replace that part.

My suggestion for your uppers is to get a second opinion from a qualified implant dentist. See if there is someone in your area who is a fellow with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. These are the top implant dentists in the country. You can feel confident you are getting qualified, experienced advice.

Your lower arch is a completely separate issue. If your dentist thinks those teeth can be saved, do everything in your power to save them. First, I will tell you why. Then I will go over how you can do it without the terror you currently feel going to the dentist.

When your teeth are first removed, your body recognizes that and immediately begins resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in an effort to use those minerals throughout your body where it perceives they will be more useful. After all, you don’t need those minerals to keep your teeth in place any longer.

While an efficient use of your body’s resources, it has the unfortunate side effect of shrinking your jaw bone. After ten or so years, you will no longer have enough of a jawbone to even retain dentures. This is known as facial collapse. Placing dental implants helps prevent that, but they’re expensive. It is significantly cheaper and more advantageous to save your natural teeth, if at all possible.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

I understand the prospect of continuing dental appointments is probably not appealing to you. Fortunately, I have something that may help. See if your dentist offers dental sedation options. In your case, combining your anxiety with the amount of work you may need, I would recommend oral conscious sedation. It will allow you to sleep through your dental appointments while getting more done at each appointment. If he doesn’t offer this, you will be better served by going to another dentist. I’ve seen patients with crippling anxiety have their experience at the dentist completely changed.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Metal Post in My Tooth Makes My Ear Pulsate

Posted on January 5, 2021 by AllSmiles.

After root canal treatment, my ear was pulsating. I could not figure out if something I ate caused it or if I had an ear infection. I went to my primary care doctor, who checked and tested my ears and asked several questions. She suggested that I ask my dentist about my root canal and any materials used in my mouth. The dentist confirmed that he placed a stainless-steel dental post in the tooth to strengthen it. I wish he had told me about this beforehand. Now I am worried about removing the post and cracking my tooth. Will I need a dental implant, which is another concern because they are titanium? – Thank you. Robyn from Aurora, CO

Robyn,

We are sorry to hear about your experience and your reaction to the metal post in your tooth. We recommend that you find a dentist who practices biological or holistic dentistry upfront. The new dentist will find alternatives that will not provoke a reaction so that you can get the care you need. We will explain why a dentist might use a post in your tooth and the steps you can take to get the proper care.

Why a Dentist Might Use a Post After Root Canal Treatment

Dentists often place a post in the tooth when little tooth structure remains. Posts have several purposes:

Strengthen front teeth and premolars against horizontal fracture
Increase crown retention for molars and other teeth
Help build up with tooth with a dental composite

Dental post materials

The history of dental posts goes back to the 1970s. Below is the progression of materials used for the posts.

1970s – Stainless steel was the primary metal for dental posts.
1980s – Researchers discovered that metal ions leach through the tooth into the bloodstream. Stainless steel contains nickel, which commonly provokes reactions. Many practices switched to titanium for its biocompatibility.
1990s – Manufacturers developed fiberglass and carbon fiber posts, along with other materials.
2000s – Manufactures produced zirconia posts as a biocompatible option. They are ceramic with high flexural strength.

Removing a Stainless-Steel Dental Post

If you need a stainless-steel dental post removed, ensure your dentist has advanced root canal training. Otherwise, see a specialist (endodontist). The post depth and how well your dentist cemented it can make it challenging to remove. You will have the risk of damaging tooth roots, losing the tooth, and requiring extraction and dental implant. Zirconia implants are an alternative to titanium.

Do not allow your dentist to place the final crown on your root canal tooth. It will further complicate matters.

Dr. Siny Thomas, a Sugar Land, Texas cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Zirconia Versus Titanium Implant

Posted on January 3, 2021 by writeradmin.

I already have two dental implants and may need a third. I recently read somewhere that the titanium implants can lead to some neurological problems. This leads me to two questions. First, is one better than the other? Two, if the zirconia is better, should I switch out the other two dental implants I already have for the zirconia?

Melody

Dear Melody,

I honestly would recommend you stick with the titanium implants. I don’t know what article you read, but I am unaware of any scientific research that talks about any neurological effects of titanium. There are a lot of articles going around online that really have no scientific basis.

Titanium has been in use for decades and there is a lot of data that backs up their safety and longevity. It is very biocompatible. The proven factors they have make it my first choice. This doesn’t mean I think there is anything sub-par about the zirconia implants. They make be equally fine. Because they are newer we don’t have the data on how long they will last.

I would say the time to use zirconia implants is if you have a known titanium allergy. Then, having metal-free dental implants would be a given. Obviously, if you want them go ahead and get them. They’re strong enough to support your biting forces. The one thing I would absolutely say not to do is remove the dental implants you already have.

When dental implants are removed or fail, it takes bone structure with it. Then, the only way to replace the dental implants is to add an additional procedure known as bone grafting. This is an unnecessary expense and risk.

I hope this helps. This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.

Read about when to get a dental bridge versus a dental implant.