I’m losing my teeth and my dentist is highly suggesting I get dental implants. I’ve been figuring the cost and it is astronomical. Is there a way to do this without implanting every single tooth?

Karen

I wish your dentist would have done a better job of helping you understand your options. When you’re talking about replacing all your teeth, as you are, you don’t usually do a 1 to 1 ratio of teeth to implants.

Some people do, but that’s considered the luxury treatment for those with the funds. It’s definitely not necessary and not what most patients do. Instead, you’ll do implant overdentures. It places around four to six dental implants into your jawbone and anchors a set of dentures to the implants. This is much more financially reachable than the cost you’d calculated.

The Reason for Dental Implants

There is a very good reason why your dentist is suggesting you get dental implants instead of completely removable dentures. Once your teeth are removed, your body will begin the resorption of the minerals in your jawbone.

It does this because your body recognizes you no longer have teeth. Because of that it thinks those minerals will be more useful elsewhere in your body. This has the unfortunate result of shrinking your jawbone. In dental circles it’s known as facial collapse.

Eventually, you won’t have enough jawbone left to even support your dentures, leaving you with no way to eat.

Having dental implants placed, signals to your brain there are still roots there and your jawbone is needed, completely preventing facial collapse.

Getting a Beautiful Smile with Implant Overdentures

While you are getting a new smile, you may as well get a stunning one. In that case, you’ll want to make sure the dentist you choose is not just an experienced implant dentist, but also a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist.

Not only will you have a healthy smile, but one you’re thrilled to share with the world, giving you a renewed confidence. Look for an implant dentist who is also accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.