I recently found out that I have a calcium deficiency. I am recieving treatment for it. At the same time, I’m also having a significant amount of trouble with my teeth. My dentist said because of my calcium deficiency I am fighting a losing battle and he wants me to just extract my teeth and get dentures. The “upside” he told me is that I won’t be throwing time and money away to try and save unsaveable teeth. However, I have read about dentures and how they cause facial collapse. I’m only in my late 30s. Is there some way for me to prevent facial collapse or is it a done deal?
Evelyn
Dear Evelyn,
Implant Supported Dentures
The only way facial collapse is a done deal is if you get completely removable dentures. While the cheapest option, they have the greatest cost when it comes to quality of life. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Add facial collpase on top of that and in about ten or so years, you won’t even be able to keep your dentures in anymore. Leaving you with no way to chew food at all.
Having implant overdentures placed prevents all of that. The dental implants signal to your body that there are still teeth in your mouth. As a result, it keeps all the minerals in your jawbone, which are necessary to help retain your teeth or, in this case, implant overdentures.
Before you go through this massive expense, I want you to get a second opinion about your teeth. Your teeth were completely formed before you had your calcium deficiency. I have many doubts that this is causing your current dental issues. In fact, I’ve never heard of a calcium deficiency in adulthood causing anyone to have problems with their teeth. What it can cause are cramps, nerve problems, and osteoporosis.
My suspicion is your dentist is one who doesn’t like investing a lot of work in saving teeth. When they show problems, he gets rid of them. In this case, he’s using your calcium deficiency as an excuse. That’s fine for him but can cause a lifetime of problems for you. Find a dentist who is willing to do everything he or she can to save your teeth and you’ll have a much greater quality of life moving forward.
This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.