Archives for April 2023

Can I Get One Dental Implant for My Denture?

Posted on April 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I can’t afford four to six implants to hold my lower denture, but will one implant work? My jawbone has shrunk significantly over the past 15 years that I have worn dentures. I know I will need a bone graft, but I cannot afford a bone graft and two dental implants. Could I find a dentist to place just one dental implant to support my denture? Thanks. Dora C.

Dora,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Thomas’ office in Sugar Land regarding a single dental implant to retain your denture.

Can You Get One Dental Implant for a Denture?

Getting one dental implant in the midline for a denture is possible, but most implant dentists worldwide prefer another approach. Still, researchers have published several studies on patient outcomes after receiving a single-implant overdenture. For example, a November 2022 article in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry published results of a five-year follow-up on single-implant overdentures for thirty participants. Studies results included, but were not limited to, the following:

The single-implant overdentures positively impacted patient satisfaction and oral-health-related quality of life.
Replacement of the O-ring matrix was the most frequent maintenance event.
Fourteen patients experienced twenty-one overdenture midline fractures.
Three patients were dissatisfied with the single-implant overdenture and received additional implants.

What Are the Benefits of at Least Two Dental Implants for a Denture?

Implant overdenture

Most dental implant professionals worldwide agree that at least two dental implants are the standard of care for a lower denture. The benefits of two implants for a denture include the following:

Increased retention – Two implants are more effective than one for stabilizing a denture.
Decreased risk of midline overdenture fracture – Snapping a two-implant overdenture can reduce the risk of denture fracture.
Jawbone preservation – Jawbone stimulation increases with the number of implants you receive.

Schedule an Implant Overdenture Consultation

If you want to stabilize a denture with dental implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist with advanced implant training. The dentist will explain your options and what you can expect.

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

Can I Get Porcelain Veneers If I Have Dry Mouth?

Posted on April 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Dry mouth seems to run in my family. My mother and two of my sisters have it. Now, I find my mouth getting really dry throughout the day, and at night I cough a lot because my mouth is so dry. I think it’s making my breath smell. Can I treat it at home, or do I need to see a dentist or my doctor? Will dry mouth prevent me from getting porcelain veneers? Thanks. Vicki

Vicki,

Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land regarding dry mouth and porcelain veneers.

Can You Get Porcelain Veneers If You Have Dry Mouth?

You can get porcelain veneers if you have dry mouth, but it is important to get it treated. Saliva protects your teeth from decay and helps your mouth fight bacteria. Although porcelain veneers cover the fronts of your teeth, the backs of your teeth are still exposed to bacteria that promote decay.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

The following factors can contribute to dry mouth:

Lack of hydration
Certain prescription medications
Salivary gland dysfunction
Some autoimmune diseases

How Can You Improve Dry Mouth?

You can improve your dry mouth in the following ways:

Sip water throughout the day.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Avoid salty or acidic foods, which decrease saliva production.
Try using a humidifier while you sleep because saliva production is naturally lower.
Ask your dentist about medication or treatment to stimulate saliva production.
Be diligent about maintaining good oral hygiene at home.
Stay current with dental exams and cleaning appointments.

Schedule a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

One porcelain veneer - available from Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

Speak with a cosmetic dentist about porcelain veneers and dry mouth.

Schedule a porcelain veneers consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist. Discuss your family history and concerns about dry mouth. The dentist will explain how you can manage a dry mouth and prevent cavities if you decide to get porcelain veneers.

Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

Can I Switch Dentists During All-on-4 Implant Treatment?

Posted on April 13, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist placed my All-on-4 implants in January. I have kept a strict diet and followed all the post-op instructions. In late March, I began to feel soreness in my gums on the left side. The discomfort is worse, and I fear that at least one of the implants is failing. I knew something was wrong, so I scheduled an appointment with my dentist. He asked me to give it two weeks and return to the office if something irritated the implant. I am scheduled to see the dentist next week. I don’t know what to expect with this dental visit, but I am concerned that my dentist doesn’t know what to do. If I don’t get satisfactory answers from my dentist, can I switch to another dentist in the middle of treatment, or might I regret it? Thank you. Shane from Amityville, NY

Shane – Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land, Texas, about your All-on-4 dental implants.

Can You Switch Dentists for All-on-4 Implants?

All-on-4 dental implants

You can switch dentists in the middle of All-on-4 dental implants, but choose your new dentist carefully. Look for a dentist with post-graduate implant training and experience. A dentist must take a 3-D CT scan to examine your bone and surrounding tissue to identify the cause of your discomfort.

What Can Cause All-on-4 Dental Implant Failure?

According to an August 2022 article published by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, All-on-4 (and other) dental implant failure usually occurs due to these reasons:

Injury – An impact on your mouth or a tooth injury from repetitive stress can weaken the bone around an implant and cause discomfort. It takes about 18 months for the bone to become strong enough to chew hard or sticky foods, so avoiding them is essential.
Lack of thorough oral hygiene – Without a diligent hygiene routine, bacteria can collect around the implant, leading to gum inflammation and irritation.
Systemic health – Uncontrolled diabetes, auto-immune diseases, or inflammatory conditions can challenge healing.

Schedule All-on-4 Implants Consultations

Schedule consultations with at least two skilled implant dentists before choosing a new dentist for your implant denture. Expect an exam and diagnostic studies to determine your options.

Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Thomas provides patients with some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

Looking for an Alternative to Dental Sedation

Posted on April 4, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I am looking for an alternative to dental sedation. I am uncomfortable at the dentist’s office and get very warm and sweaty because my anxiety level is high. I know that I need to relax at the dentist’s office, but I am not sure I need to be sedated. I don’t want to be sedated because I feel like I am not in control. I don’t like taking medication that makes me feel sleepy because I cannot react to unexpected situations. I may fear not knowing what’s going on during a dental appointment. Is there another way to relax without making me tired? Thanks. Angelica

Angelica – Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land regarding dental sedation.

Dentists who offer sedation have many ways of helping patients relax. Sedation dentistry is just one method.

What Are Alternatives to Sedation Dentistry?

Young man relaxing with his back to the ocean, portraying the relaxation of sedation dentistry, available from Sugar Land dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

Ask about sedation alternatives to help you relax

Alternatives to sedation dentistry may include distractions in the treatment room, such as a TV, headphones with music, or massage chairs.

Sometimes, the dentist’s calmness, gentle manner, and understanding are enough. Communication. Some patients are nervous for specific reasons. When the dentist communicates what is happening during the procedure and what you should expect to feel, it may help to calm you.
Understanding your triggers. Some dentists speak with anxious patients to help them identify anxiety triggers. Perhaps a sound, sight, or scent in the dental office increases anxiety. The dental time will work to minimize your triggers.

We suggest scheduling consultations with a few dentists who cater to anxious patients to discuss your concerns about dental care and sedation. Your consultation will help determine if this is the dentist you need to help you have a pleasant appointment.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care possible.