Today marks twenty-seven years that I have had dentures. Twenty-seven years being ashamed to smile because my teeth look obviously fake. Is it too late for me to get something prettier, like dental implants?
Katie
Dear Katie,
You can absolutely get a beautiful smile with dental implants. You do have a couple of things to consider as you go forward with this. First, you have been in dentures a long time, which means that you’re likely showing symptoms of facial collapse. This is when your bone has shrunken to the point where it is getting hard to keep your dentures in. This eventually happens to everyone who is in completely removable dentures.
The dental implants needed for implant supported dentures will require that bone for them to stay in place. That means you will first need to have some bone grafting done to build back up the bone in that is needed. Another side benefit to this procedure is you will notice your repaired jaw makes you look years younger. Then, after that is healed, you can have the dental implants placed.
The second consideration is the dentist. Dental implants are an advanced procedure, so you will want a dentist who did post-graduate training in them. Additionally, you want to get an idea of how skilled they are with cosmetic dental work. I hate telling you this, but if the dentist who made your dentures had been a skilled cosmetic dentist, you would have had a pretty smile all this time. However, that would not have prevented the facial collapse which will have to be dealt with eventually whether you get implants or not.
Have the dentist show you images of cases they’ve done, so you have an idea of whether or not they can create a beautiful smile for you.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY dentist Dr. James E. Williams.