I have an issue lately with my teeth coming loose and falling out. I don’t understand. They don’t have many cavities. I’ve been reading about dental implants. Will they be a good solution for me to have teeth again?
Bernie
Dear Bernie,
I’m very sorry you are going through this. If your teeth are falling out, that means you have substantially advanced periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease. It’s bad enough that it has started eating up the bone structure that supports your teeth. If this gets much further, you will not only lose all your teeth, but will also risk an infection in the bone itself, putting your life at risk. It’s time to see your dentist. He will set up a schedule to get the gums in shape. Depending on the severity, he may feel you need to see a periodontist.
Dental Implants
While dental implants are the top of the line tooth replacement option, they do require healthy gums. As you can see from the picture above, the dental implants will need bone to integrate with it the way they do with the roots of your teeth. If you don’t have enough bone support, the dental implants will fall out just the way your teeth have.
what you’ll need to do is get the gum disease under control. Then, when that is sorted, dental implants will be a fantastic option. Until then, you’ll need to look at some temporary replacements, such as removable partial dentures. What you don’t want to do is just give up on the gums and teeth and get dentures.
The Danger with Dentures
On the right is a woman before facial collapse. On the left is her jaw after facial collapse.
When your teeth are removed, your body recognizes that and immediately begins to resorb the minerals left in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. Before you know it, there is no longer enough bone there to even retain dentures. In dental circles, this is known as facial collapse. Not only will this age you in appearance by over a decade, but you will find it impossible to eat all but the softest foods.
Dental implants prevent this by acting as prosthetic tooth roots, signaling to your body that those minerals are still necessary and leaving your bone intact.
This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.