Hi lorelei,

In 30+ years, I have not heard a patient mention anything about kissing being a problem for either themself or their partner........ any type of kissing

I could see being a bit self conscious about it, but I think you may be more worried than you need to be.

Bryanna

Hi. I have a quick question. Why would a person get dentures, when they could get dental implants (that are permanent) and no one would ever have to know.

Aren't implants better and more convenient than dentures?

Thanks much

Melody

Hi Melody...the cost, in my case. Between the implant and the crown, it's about 3 to 4 thousand per tooth. Thirty teeth, this adds up to $100,000. I sure don't have it :-(

Then I am doubly glad that I just purchased the Oral B Smart Series 4000 and a Water Pik.

I hope I get to keep my teeth as long as I can keep them.

Thanks for the info

Melody

Hi Melody,

There are many reasons why someone would have to settle for dentures without getting dental implants. Here's a few of them....

Health..... autoimmune diseases compromise a persons health in many ways and one of them is the ability to heal completely from anything that causes trauma to the body. There could be neurological complications post operatively in these people also.

Medications.... any meds that cause dry mouth, will interfere with healing a wound in the mouth. The more invasive the wound the more problems. Other meds like Bisphosphonate drugs, can prevent the bone from healing completely after it has been surgerized and they could also cause the bone to become infected with osteomyelitis post operatively.

Periodontal disease and long term tooth loss..... these conditions cause severe deterioration of the jaw bone therefore leaving little to no bone to place an implant into. Bone grafting can only be done when there is enough bone to accept it and grow into.

Finances..... the average cost for each dental implant is about $2500/3500. That does not include any other surgical procedures like extractions, grafting, sinus lifts, bone recontouring, etc. that may or may not be necessary. The implant prosthesis, whether it be a bridge or full denture is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Sometimes there are less expensive ways to have an implant retained denture but it's on an idividual basis and there are lots of factors to consider.

Hope this information is helpful to you and others!

Bryanna

Bryanna:

Thanks very much for all that info. Very interesting. I have been a phobic all of my life. If it wasn't for my phobia dentist, I'd be doomed.

It's unfortunate that dental implants are so prohibitive that only the rich and famous get to have them. I personally know 2 people who have them. Everyone else has dentures.

I wonder if genetics has anything to do with the way one's teeth eventually turn out. I mean, genes versus lifestyle.

My mother had all her teeth extracted when she was 37 years old. I was there. it's burned into my memory.

But here's a good question. I remember my mother talking about her having Phyrrhea (sorry spelling). bad gums right?

My mother was a heavy smoker from the age of 14. My mother was 5 feet tall, red hair and blue eyes. I am 5 feet 7, dark hair and dark eyes. I am ALL MY FATHER.

My mother drank, smoke and died of emphasema at age 80 and looked 100.

My father also got dentures when he was in his 50's. He was a heavy smoker all his life too. I myself, do not smoke, never have, and I don't drink. It's never been my thing. I used to be overweight, but got that under control a long time ago.

I myself have diabetes but thank god, my gums do not reflect this, neither do my eyes. My eye doctor said "oh my god, there is no sign of diabetes in your eyes", I never saw anything like this."

And thankfully, the dentist said essentially the same thing. I do not have gum disease.

That's because I watch every thing that goes into my mouth and I'm a health nut, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT DIABETIC GUMS, BAD GUMS, BAD ANYTHING.

Do genes have to win out? Or does living a good lifestyle, correct brushing, correct flossing, doing the best you can do, getting regular cleanings, well....can this win out over bad genetics?

Thanks much
Melody

Hi Melody,

Dental implants are not only for the rich and famous, although you would think so because they are so expensive! I have worked with many patients who seemingly have very little, yet they find creative ways to afford their dental implants! It's matter of how and what we value in life and everyone values things differently.

Genetics has alot to do with our own teeth and gums as we get older. Especially if both of our parents had similar problems. What you describe as pyorrhea is actually another name for periodontal disease. Year ago that's what they called it and most of the time the patient had all of their teeth removed.

However, lifestyle has just as much to do with our teeth as genetics! If we are diligent with our oral hygiene, see the dentist and hygienist regularly for preventive care, eat and drink nutritiously, don't smoke or overindulge with alcohol, find ways to reduce our stress and live a generally healthy life... whatever we are genetically predisposed to may be lessened or non existent because of our healthy lifestyle habits.

Hey Melody, thanks for sharing your story with us!

Bryanna

No problem.
I think we should share FUNNY dental stories. Not scary ones.

We need to support each other and humor does that.

I'll start a new thread with a funny story about one (or two experiences I had).

Melody