Archive for February, 2012

Dentures Don’t Fit Anymore

Friday, February 17th, 2012

I’ve had complete removable dentures for many, many years. Because I’ve lost most (if not all) of my jawbone, they just don’t fit anymore. I can’t keep them in, but I can’t live without any type of teeth at all. Is there any solution?

Vinny S.- New Jersey

Vinny,

You are experiencing what is known as facial collapse. When your teeth are removed, the roots are no longer implanted in your jawbone. This signals to your body that your jawbone is no longer necessary and it starts reabsorbing the minerals to use elsewhere throughout your body. Our bodies are very efficient systems. Unfortunately, this sinks your face in and make dentures impossible to wear. All is not lost, though. You can get a procedure done called bone grafting, which will help build back bone in your jawbone.

Once that happens you can get new dentures, but that will start a cycle of bone loss all over again. My recommendation is for you to get dental implants. These insert a root form into your jawbone, and a crown is placed on top to function as your tooth. They are the closest thing to having your own natural teeth in your mouth. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about facial collapse again.

This blog is brought to you by Los Angeles implant dentist Dr. Robert Thein.

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The use of cadaver bone in dental implants bone grafting

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

I am waiting to be scheduled for an implant. I just would like to know your opinion on using cadaver bone as grafting material.
- Terry from California

Terry,
The main disadvantage in using cadaver bone for bone grafting in the placing of dental implants is how it sounds. It sounds yucky, but it actually works just fine. It is processed and sterilized so that it is safe. While some have raised fears of contracting a disease from the graft, there has never been a reported case of that in the professional literature, to my knowledge.

There are about four different sources of bone for grafting, when you have a case, say, of facial collapse or any situation where there isn’t enough bone at the implant site to support the implant. The first is the patient’s own body. This is called “autogenous bone.” If there is bone somewhere else in the mouth, that can be used. But often that isn’t an option. Some surgeons go to the hip and take bone from there. That works well, but produces a second surgical site and is another source of pain during recovery. One reason many oral surgeons don’t go to the hip for bone is that they are ORAL surgeons and simply don’t do hips.

Another source is human cadaver bone, which is what you are asking about. These are called allografts, and they work quite well.

Another is called bovine bone, or in plain English that would be cow bone.

And another would be synthetic bone products. While these are the most convenient and least expensive, some dentists say they have a poor track record of success.

I hope this is helpful.

This blog is sponsored by Los Angeles implant dentist Dr. Robert Thein
Link: Read more about dental implant failure.

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