Can you help me? My dentist is insisting I get dental implants. I’m losing my teeth at a very young age because of a disease and my dentist said I will ruin my life if I don’t get implants. But, they’re so expensive. I can’t imagine it will be worth it. Can you advise me on some options?
LeeAnne
Dear LeeAnne,
I’m so sorry you’re facing this, especially at a young age. I’m hoping I can help and also kind of translate what your dentist is saying. Let’s start with what your dentist is concerned about. If you were to get dentures, which is what I’m sure you’re likely thinking of getting, your body will recognize you don’t have any teeth roots anymore once your teeth are extracted.
When that happens, it will slowly reabsorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body where it thinks those minerals will be more useful. The big problem with that is your jawbone starts to shrink. This is known as facial collapse. Look at the image below. It’s the same woman in both cases. The image in the background is her with facial collapse.
This is what your dentist is concerned about. Eventually, you’ll have so little jawbone left that you won’t be able to keep your dentures in any longer.
Dental implants prevent that by implanting prosthetic roots in your jawbone, helping your body to recognize you still need your jawbone. I truly don’t think he’s just trying to get more money out of you. I think he’s trying to protect your jawbone.
That being said, you’re young and likely don’t have huge savings built up yet. There are a few ways we can get around this.
When Dental Implants are Out of Your Budget
One option is to get implant overdentures. These usually only require about four to six implants to secure them well. It attaches dentures to implants, keeping them safely in and protecting your jawbone at the same time.
Many dentists will work on financing for their patients, which allows you to pay it out a little at a time. If your dentist doesn’t offer that, you could also try Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card which allows you to pay things off a little at a time. They have both low and no-interest payment plans which should make things more affordable.
If even that is out of your budget, you can get snap-on dentures, which only needs two implants and will give you time to save up for more as you are able.
I hope this helps you.
This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.
