My husband had a dental implant placed and I have been absolutely miserable since then. I have a very strong sense of smell. His dentist gave him a metal implant and I feel like the implant is reacting with his jaw because his mouth smells absolutely horrible. I haven’t been able to face him while we sleep. There’s no way I’m kissing him. He doesn’t have the permanent crown yet. Just the temporary denture. I want him to switch out the dental implant for a non-metal type. His dentist pretty much said I’m nuts. My husband doesn’t want to switch it either. I have to live with this. Is there anything you can tell me that I could use to convince them?
Robin
Dear Robin,
I am glad you wrote. While I am sure that you are smelling something foul that is interfering with your ability to interact intimately with your husband, I do not think it is your husband’s dental implant that is causing the smell.
The metal dental implants are made from titanium. These are very inert. You can ask your husband’s dentist if he has any loose dental implants around. If he does, see if he’ll let you hold one. You can smell it and you likely won’t smell anything. Your husband’s implant is deep within the bone, which makes it even more unlikely that you will smell anything.
You mentioned that you are worried it is reacting with his jaw. Let’s say that your husband had an infection from the dental implant procedure. That could, and likely would, cause some type of smell. Bacteria smells. However, there are other signs of an infection, such as fever or pain. There is no sign of infection here, so that would not be what you are smelling.
So, what is causing the smell? I haven’t examined him, so bear that in mind, but my guess would be he is not getting the temporary partial denture or crown completely cleaned out. One easy solution or way to check that is to have him use a WaterPik every day when he is doing his oral health care. That will help get out those tricky bits that might be getting caught in there, which will take care of the smell.
I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James Williams.