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Dr. Thomas

Can I Get a Refund for Dental Implant Failure?

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I cracked my upper left first premolar while eating last fall. My dentist pulled the tooth because he said he couldn’t save it. When he injected the numbing medication, I felt burning and tingling on my tongue and the roof of my mouth. My dentist did the extraction and placed a dental implant. When I returned months later for the implant crown, the installation hurt so bad that my dentist kept injecting the local anesthesia.

The implant crown fell off two months ago. My dentist said the implant was infected, so he performed another surgery and bone grafting. Then, he said I should not get implants but need a dental bridge instead. I don’t want a dental bridge. Can I get a refund for dental implant failure and for a dentist creating a situation that prevents me from getting an implant? Thanks. Aarya from GA

Aarya,

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and implant screw labeledWe are sorry to hear about your traumatic experiences with tooth replacement. Your burning tongue and roof of mouth may be related to burning mouth syndrome. Although the exact cause of the syndrome is unknown, it often occurs after traumatic dental experiences. Your symptoms may improve when you find a dentist to resolve your concerns. Otherwise, the dentist can look for an alternate cause.

What Causes Dental Implant Failure?

A few factors that can cause dental implant failure include improper implant placement, too much force on the implant while placing the implant crown, insufficient bone volume, or a patient’s noncompliance with dietary restrictions or smoking.

Burning mouth and a lost implant crown don’t definitively point to dentist error. You would need a second opinion from another implant dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist. An exam and CT scan will help identify the cause of your failed dental implant. If you can prove your dentist was at fault, you can file a complaint with the state dental board and notify your insurance company. Based on the second opinion, you can decide whether it is appropriate to ask for a refund.

What Will Happen If I Pull Out a Loose Dental Implant?

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Last year, in February, my dentist placed three dental implants. I got the final implant crowns in August. Now, the first molar implant on the top left is loose. After I left a message with my dentist, he called back and said he wanted to refer me to a periodontist who could save the implant. But my appointment with the periodontist is not until late next week. If the implant continues to loosen, can I pull it out myself? Or should I call for an emergency appointment with a dentist in the practice? Thank you. Raj from Denver

Raj,

We understand your concerns. However, don’t try to resolve the issue yourself.

Should You Pull Out a Loose Dental Implant?

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and implant screw labeledWe advise you not to pull out the loose dental implant. If a periodontist can save it, you decrease the chances by pulling it out. As with natural tooth roots, the surgical site will fill in with tissue when an implant is missing. Contact the periodontist’s office for an urgent visit rather than scheduling an urgent appointment with a general dentist.

What Causes Loose Dental Implants?

Loose dental implants can occur after implant surgery or after placing your final crown. A dentist must wait until the implant and your jawbone fuse before placing the implant crowns. But what can cause implants to loosen?

Early dental implant loosening

  • Improper placement
  • Smoking during the healing process
  • Not enough bone volume
  • Gum disease
  • Medical issues that affect wound healing
  • Trauma during implant surgery

Late dental implant loosening

  • Infection
  • Gum disease
  • Poor-fitting or incorrectly placed implant crown, bridge, or denture
  • Faulty implant roots or parts
  • Oral trauma

How Will a Doctor Treat Your Loose Implant?

How a doctor treats your loose implant depends on why it is loose. The periodontist will take x-rays and determine what caused the looseness by examining these areas:

  • Gums
  • Bone
  • Implant root
  • Implant crown
  • Abutment (connector between the crown and implant)

If the issue is with the dental implant root, the periodontist must remove it. You may require bone grafting to support the next implant. Afterward, you can expect three to four months of healing if the periodontist removes the implant and you need bone grafting.

After an examination and X-rays, the periodontist will explain your treatment options.

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

A Tooth Cracked Beneath My Dental Bridge

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After my last dental cleaning, exam, and X-ray, my dentist said that a tooth beneath my upper left dental bridge is cracked.  She wants to replace the bridge, but I’ve only had it for three years. I don’t have any pain or discomfort when biting or chewing. Do I need the bridge replaced? – Thanks Raina from Chicago

Raina,

Dental bridge with four crowns

Get a second opinion before replacing a relatively new dental bridge

When considering dental restoration options, such as a dental bridge or implant, it’s important to weigh the long-term implications and costs. Each option has distinct advantages and potential drawbacks, depending on the situation.

The Long-Term Cost of Dental Bridges

A dental bridge may initially seem cost-effective, but if any tooth supporting the bridge fails, the entire bridge often needs replacement.

A problem with one of the abutments (supporting) teeth, such as a crack, may require removing the damaged tooth and fabricating a new, longer bridge to span the gap between now two missing teeth.

The Stability of Dental Implants

Unlike bridges, dental implants are independent of adjacent teeth. Issues with neighboring teeth do not affect the implant, making it a more stable long-term option.

Concerns About a Cracked Tooth Beneath a Dental Bridge

A cracked root typically presents with sharp pain upon biting, which you are not experiencing.  It’s uncommon for crowned teeth to crack since crowns are designed to fortify weakened or cracked teeth, preventing further damage.

Studies have shown that even completely fractured teeth can sometimes be saved by aligning the pieces, crowning the tooth, and thus preserving it.

Get a second opinion before agreeing to treatment.

  • Do not disclose the previous dentist’s diagnosis or identity to ensure an unbiased second opinion.
  • Provide minimal information about prior consultations to prevent influencing the new dentist’s assessment.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

How Can I Get Dental Implants If I Can’t Afford Them?

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I have four missing teeth – three upper left and one right – all toward the front of my mouth. So I try to smile with my mouth closed. I’m 40 but cannot afford dental implants. After searching online and watching YouTube and Instagram videos of people who got dental implants, I felt depressed. I stopped watching the videos two months ago, but I still don’t have a decent smile. I cry about this at least weekly. What can I do if I cannot afford dental implants? Are there any assistance programs or a way I can find a dentist who will do the work if I sign an agreement to be used for their advertising? I don’t know how to get a better job or move forward without a decent smile. Thanks. Leisa

Leisa,

We understand your concerns about your appearance and self-image. Although you will have to pay for dental implants, we will suggest some ways to make them more affordable.

How Can You Get Affordable Dental Implants?

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and implant screw labeledGetting dental implants can be more affordable if you consider the following options:

Dental school for implants

A local university dental school that provides dental implant training needs patients for their students to perform implant surgery. The dental school will discount the cost if you qualify as a teaching subject.

Removable denture

A removable partial denture can replace missing teeth until you save up and can afford dental implants.

Phase the treatment

You can find a dentist willing to replace your missing teeth in phases. You can get one dental implant at a time, pay for it, and then plan for the next implant.

Charity dentistry

Many cities have a charitable dental organization for people who cannot afford to go to a dentist. Although charitable organizations cannot afford to give patients dental implants, they can provide a removable denture to replace missing teeth. Replacing the teeth can build your confidence about finding a better job, which may help you afford to get dental implants progressively or eventually qualify for financing.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Contact our office to ask about payment plans or financing for dental care.

Where Can I Find Affordable Dentures and Implants?

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I’ve checked ten places for affordable dentures and implants, but the prices are too high, even after insurance, so removable dentures are my only option. At age 52, I know I won’t be able to avoid facial collapse. I’ve had four consultations for dentures with four to six implants and contacted my insurance company to estimate how much they will pay. My out-of-pocket costs are too high. I looked online for assistance, but I still cannot afford implant dentures. Am I overlooking any programs for people who can’t afford implant dentures even though they have insurance? Thanks. Amy from Newport News, VA

 

Amy,

We understand your concerns about the cost of implant dentures and the emotional effects of jawbone shrinkage and facial sagging or collapse. We wish we had better news for you, but dental implants are an upgrade that requires the patient to share most of the cost.

Where Can You Find Affordable Dentures and Implants?

Although you will share some of the expense, even for affordable dentures and implants, consider exploring the following ways to make them more affordable.

Dental schools that teach implant dentistry

If your community has dental schools that teach implant dentistry, they may ask for volunteers for their courses. The school will offer discounted services for the inconvenience of getting treatment from students.

Charity dentistry

Some cities have charitable dentistry programs for people who cannot afford a dentist. However, the programs offer the most affordable dental solutions. If all your teeth are missing, the program will offer an affordable removable denture, not a costly implant-retained or implant-supported denture.

Alternatives to four to six dental implants for dentures

Diagram of a snap-on denture

A snap-on denture is an affordable dentures and implants option

A snap-on denture is an affordable alternative to four to six dental implants for dentures. You can get two implants instead, although your denture will be less secure and stimulate a smaller area of the jawbone. Or, you may qualify for mini implants, which have a smaller diameter than standard implants. According to the Journal of Prosthodontic Research, studies show that implant-retained dentures, such as snap-on dentures, improve your experience with dentures, including comfort, stability, and eating.

Get an implant denture in phases

You could get a removable denture now and save to have it fitted for dental implants. Getting the work done in phases may be more affordable for your budget.

Precautions for Affordable Dentures and Implants

Prioritize quality over affordable dentures and implants by not choosing a dentist because their fees are the lowest.

  • Consult with dentists with post-dental-school implant training and experience.
  • Ask dentists about their training and qualifications.
  • Ask dentists how many implant denture cases they have completed from start to finish.
  • Ask to see before and after implant denture cases of the dentist’s patients.
  • Search for Google or Yelp reviews about the dental practice.

Will Antibiotics Work for an Abscess Instead of a Repeat Root Canal?

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After a root canal, the temporary filling fell out of my upper left first molar. My dentist says I need a repeat root canal because the tooth is abscessed. The abscess isn’t painful, though. Why can’t I eliminate the abscess with antibiotics instead of another root canal? I dread going through another round of sedation and a root canal. Thanks. Simon from Huntington, NY

Simon,

It would be best to have a repeat root canal to eliminate an abscess and infection. Antibiotics alone are not enough for root canal failure.

A dentist removes the infected tooth pulp during root canal treatment and replaces the pulp with a dental filling material and cement. A temporary filling protects the tooth from saliva and infection. However, a temporary filling must be replaced with a dental crown. Otherwise, your saliva will wear the seal between the filling and your tooth. When bacteria enter the tooth, infection recurs.

Can Antibiotics Alone Treat a Tooth Abscess?

Model of a dental implant with its parts labeled, for information on root canal failure and implants

An infection can progress without repeat root canal treatment, leading to extraction and a dental implant.

Antibiotics alone cannot treat a tooth abscess. The medicine circulates through your bloodstream to remove the infection but does not remove the infection inside the tooth. When you stop taking antibiotics, the abscess will return. A cycle of starting and stopping antibiotics can breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, creating the need for increasingly more potent medicine.

In contrast, root canal treatment removes the infection. Antibiotics assist in removing the infection from your system. Infection can spread to your jaw, eye, bloodstream, and brain without repeat root canal treatment. As your tooth breaks down, it may become unsavable, requiring removal and a dental implant.

Please do not allow dental anxiety to prevent you from getting repeat root canal therapy. A repeat root canal with dental sedation is less time-consuming and healthier than allowing a tooth infection to linger. Without treatment, your oral and overall health will worsen, resulting in more dental appointments and possible medical concerns.

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

Smell of All-on-4 Implants Trigger Chemical Sensitivities

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My husband has worn temporary dentures with All-on-4 dental implants since late July. Something about his denture teeth or implants has an annoying rubber/plastic smell. I cannot know what is causing the sensitivity, but whenever my husband talks, I smell it. I have multiple chemical sensitivities, and whatever it is, the implant denture irritates and increases my fatigue. My husband’s implants are titanium, and the temporary teeth are acrylic. The final teeth will be porcelain. If the posts are causing my sensitivities, is there a less toxic option? My sensitivity does not offend my husband, but he is concerned about switching to another implant type. Thanks. Stacie from Boston

Stacie,

People with multiple chemical sensitivities have extreme sensitivity to certain smells. Titanium posts for dental implants are embedded in the jawbone, so it is unlikely that you can smell them. Even when titanium is exposed to the air, it is unlikely to transmit an order.

Diagram of All-on-4 dental implants, available from Sugar Land, TX dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

All-on-4 dental implants

However, acrylic has a slight odor, so that you may smell the acrylic in the temporary teeth attached to All-on-4 dental implants. Food debris can collect around or beneath the implant denture and cause odor. Many patients use a water flosser to remove debris beneath the denture.

Can You Replace Titanium Dental Implant Posts with Another Material?

Although it may be possible to replace titanium dental implant posts with another material, the process can be complex. Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, so an implant dentist must take these steps:

  • Surgically remove the dental implants
  • Graft new bone in the implant sites and allow several months for it to heal
  • Make new implant sites in the jawbone for zirconia dental implants

No one can guarantee that you would not be sensitive to the zirconia dental implants. Titanium and zirconia are biocompatible with rare instances of sensitivity. You may benefit by consulting with a doctor specializing in multiple chemical sensitivities to test your acrylic, titanium, and zirconia sensitivity.

 

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

My Tooth Is Turning Gray After My Dentist Injured It

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My tooth is turning gray after my dentist hit it while removing the tooth next to it (second molar). I got the extraction in July. At the time, my dentist said the tooth looked okay. I saw my dentist two weeks ago because the tooth was darkening. He said that the tooth was dying and probably needed a root canal. I hope the tooth is bruised and will recover. Yesterday, I saw a specialist who said he would recommend a root canal using something called GentleWave, which is more comfortable than the standard treatment. I told him that I would think about it before scheduling the procedure. Why do I need a root canal? How long can I wait to see if the tooth color improves? Thanks, Kandis

Kandis

How Long Can You Delay a Root Canal?

Five steps of root canal treatment

A tooth’s condition can worsen without root canal treatment.

A root canal is the only way to treat a dying or dead tooth. You should not delay it because your tooth’s condition will worsen. The diseased pulp tissue inside the tooth will not go away without root canal treatment. The GentleWave® technology that the endodontist recommends has good reviews in dental publications. If you get prompt treatment, the infection will stop, and you will not need an extraction and dental implant.

Still, we are concerned about your tooth injury. Your dentist is for the damage to the tooth and treatment to save the tooth. Also, your dentist says you probably need root canal treatment. A tooth that experienced trauma and is turning gray needs treatment. An X-ray would confirm the tooth’s condition. We hope your dentist is not unsure whether you need a root canal.

We do not know the details of your incident, If you are unsure about your dentist’s or the endodontist’s recommendation, please get a second opinion from a dentist with advanced root canal training or an endodontist.

 

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

How Much Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

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I have a combination of old crowns, a partial denture, and decayed and missing teeth. How much bone grafting will I need for dental implants? I saw two dentists, one of whom recommends full-mouth reconstruction, including six dental implants. The six missing teeth have been gone for almost 12 years. The dentist said I probably would need bone grafting, but he would refer me to a periodontist for the implants. I know I need bone grafting because I can see that the bone is low where the teeth are missing. I’m unsure which dentist I will choose to complete the work with, but both visits left me with questions. How much bone grafting will I need? Will this process take more than a year? Thank you. Nathan from Bakersfield, CA

Nathan,

Thank you for your question.

How Much Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

Model of a dental implant and crown between two natural teeth

A dental implants needs enough healthy bone to fuse with for lasting support.

Your jawbone loss will determine how much grafting you need for dental implants. An implant dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist must take a 3-D CT scan to measure the bone volume throughout your jaw and identify where to place dental implants. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry published an article on missing teeth and bone loss. The report states that bone shrinks 25 percent in the first three months after tooth loss and up to 50 percent in the first six months. For denture wearers, dentures resting on the jawbone accelerate shrinkage.

After twelve years, your bone loss may be significant. The 3-D CT scan is a critical factor in successful dental implant placement. As you consult different implant dentists, ask whether they use the scans to determine whether patients are eligible for dental implants and where to place them. Find another provider if an implant dentist does not use a 3-D CT scan for treatment planning.

How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

The time it takes to get dental implants varies because no two patients’ cases are identical. Depending on the treatment needed, you may expect the following:

  • If you need bone grafting before implant placement, expect four to six months of healing before implant surgery.
  • After implant surgery, your doctor will allow three to four months of healing. You may wear temporary replacement teeth during that time.
  • When a doctor must remove teeth before dental implant placement, they may complete extractions, bone grafting, and implant placement during one appointment. Healing will take four to six months.
  • After your jawbone and implants integrate, your doctor will expose the implants, attach a connector (abutment), and allow several months for your gums to form around the abutments.
  • Your dentist will attach your final replacement teeth to the abutments.

A full-mouth reconstruction includes a combination of dental treatments. Your dentist and the doctor who places your implants (if different from your dentist) will coordinate your care. Your dentist will give you an estimate of the total time for restoring your oral health and smile.

 

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

What Brands of Dental Implants Should I Request?

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I’ve researched a lot before deciding on All-on-4 dental implants and seeing if I qualify. If I qualify, how do I know which brands of implants to ask for? I know implant mistakes can happen, and I don’t want it to be because of cheap implants that might rust in my mouth or fall out. Thanks. Stephen from  Albuquerque

Stephen,

A reputable implant dentist will use quality implant fixtures if you receive All-on-4 dental implants in the U.S. and not abroad. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates implant fixtures in the United States. Those fixtures are of the highest quality. If you risk going out of the country for cheaper dental implants, the risks are higher because the regulations differ in other countries.

The FDA works with the American Dental Association to ensure dentists observe implant standards and follow regulations closely. The implant screw, the surgical procedure, and the dental crowns attached to the fixture must meet safety regulations.

What Factors Affect Dental Implant Success?

Much of dental implant success depends on the implant dentist’s skill. A highly trained and skilled dentist will ensure proper planning with three-dimensional diagnostic studies. These CT scans help determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants and where to place the implants.

Even the highest-quality implant fixtures can loosen and fail if a dentist skips proper planning or uses improper surgical techniques.

An experienced implant dentist will select a top implant brand and size specific to your All-on-4 dental implants case. Requesting a particular brand of dental implants is not to your benefit if the dentist can’t match the fixtures with your needs.

Below are a few things to look for before choosing an implant dentist:

  • Training, experience, and credentials
  • The number of implant cases the dentist has completed from start to finish
  • Before-and-after pictures of the dentist’s dental implant patients
All-on-4 dental implants supporting a lower denture, for information on US dental implant brands

Schedule at least two All-on-4 dental implants consultations

After finding a skilled implant dentist, you can ask which brands they use. Depending on the dentist’s preference for each patient’s case, they may use one or more of the following U.S. dental implant brands or other brands they prefer:

  • Straumann
  • Nobel Biocare
  • Dentsply Sirona
  • 3i
  • BioHorizons
  • Zimmer

 

You can schedule two or three consultations with All-on-4 implant dentists. Compare the dentists’ experience, treatment options, and fees.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients high-quality dental care.