[Mgiretto]

Hi all,
I have been awake all night reading this forum, and before I begin. I would like to say, thank you!! There is hope.

I have been putting off this procedure for the last 8 years, both of my parents had all their teeth removed before they were 40. And at that time in the UK dental implants weren't an option, so normal dentures for both.

I am a beautiful 44 year old woman, who is really healthy - apart from my gums. Hereditary apparently?? When I was 18, I had toothache, went to the dentist (UK) where he pulled the back tooth out. Over a period of time, my teeth moved and I developed a gap, that I hated, between my front teeth. In 2007, my front right tooth dropped, and was visibly wobbling as I spoke. I found a really nice dentist, (in Abu Dhabi), who removed both front teeth, gave me a temporary denture, 4 root canals in the teeth on either side, and then gave me a bridge, across the front. I had a beautiful smile, but I will admit, it wasn't easy!!

Since then, the 2 upper teeth on either side of the bridge have just fallen out. One minute in my head, next, on the desk in front of me ( it happened at work). A couple of severe toothaches and 2 lower molars also removed, one either side.

I have been to see several dentists over the period, and I have always known that the treatment is going to be full removal and dentures. The gums are receding, and almost every tooth is wobbly.

I have FINALLY plucked up the courage to do this, I saw a specialist 2 days ago, and he wants to take a mould so impressions for the temporary removable dentures (thank you for the fixing recommendations to they don't move!!) then next week, do a full extraction , injections, and place 6 implants in the upper jaw, and 6 in the lower. Repeated visits over the next 5-6 months, and then the over dentures fixed.

From reading the forum, the up side appears to be that not only will I be able to fit into the skinniest of jeans, I'll have a great smile with no missing teeth from the get go. The down side is the cost....... $45,500 (AED 168,000) !!!!

I am seeing another specialist today, but it will only really be to see which of the 2 dentists I feel more comfortable with! As for the last 11 years, all the dentists I have seen have recommended the same treatment (even before the front tooth fell out).

My questions are pretty random, I was only going to take 1 day off from work, giving me the weekend to recover. Is this enough following full extraction and implants implanted??
What should the implants be made of?
What should the new teeth be made of?
How do I prevent infections post extraction, and also once the permanent dentures are in place? (These will be teeth and gum)
Are there any other questions that I should be asking the surgeon??? My issue is I walk in, sit in the chair, and then only hear white noise!!

Many, many thanks for this forum, and sharing your stories, and advice.

Maria


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[Bryanna]

Hi Maria,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some information here.

So first let me clarify that although we are predisposed to some hereditary dental problems, that does not mean we are guaranteed to get them. What causes most dental problems to occur is a persons diet and their inability to thoroughly clean their teeth and gums. Systemic health conditions, medications and stress are also contributing factors to poor dental health. I just want to make that clear so that anyone reading this will not think they are automatically doomed for poor dental health just because their parents or grandparents had it.

Your statements about your teeth falling out, receding gums and wobbly teeth indicate that you have periodontal disease. Have you been diagnosed with that? If so, then your case may be a bit complicated in that the disease is not limited to just your teeth or gums. It is also in the jaw bone and that needs to be addressed when the teeth are removed. Are you seeing an oral surgeon for this surgery or a general dentist? Just so you are aware, an oral surgeon is more knowledgeable and experienced with the surgical aspect in cases like yours compared to a general dentist. The oral surgeon would perform the extractions and oral surgery along with placement of the implants and the general dentist would do all the restorative work like dentures.

I will re post your questions and answer them in bold type.

<<My questions are pretty random, I was only going to take 1 day off from work, giving me the weekend to recover. Is this enough following full extraction and implants implanted??>>

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE PUMPED UP TO GET THIS DONE AND YOUR HEADING INTO IT WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WHICH IS REALLY GREAT AND THAT ATTITUDE WILL DEFINITELY HELP YOU THROUGH THE HEALING PROCESS. HOWEVER, THAT IS A LOT OF SURGERY TO HAVE DONE AT ONE TIME AND I THINK YOUR DENTIST IS MAKING IS SOUND LIKE IT'S NO BIG DEAL. REMOVING THE TEETH AND CLEANING UP THE BONE IS THE FIRST STEP AND THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE VERY THOROUGHLY AND PRECISELY AS THIS SETS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DENTAL IMPLANTS. THE PLACEMENT, LOCATION AND ANGULATION OF THE IMPLANTS NEED TO BE CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND NOT JUST PLACED RANDOMLY. ORAL SURGEONS ARE MORE EXPERIENCED AT DOING THESE SURGICAL CASES, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT DENTAL IMPLANTS TAKE MONTHS TO SETTLE INTO THE BONE AND ARE NOT COMPLETELY INTEGRATED UNTIL AT LEAST ONE YEAR POST OP. THE TEMPORARY DENTURES ARE GOING TO FEEL LIKE A MOUTHFUL AND WILL TAKE SOME GETTING USE TO. SO YOUR ENTIRE MOUTH IS GOING TO FEEL COMPROMISED AND VULNERABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. ESPECIALLY THE FIRST FEW.

<<What should the implants be made of?>>

THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT IMPLANT MATERIALS. THOSE USED MOST OFTEN ARE TITANIUM OR ZIRCONIUM. IT REALLY ALL DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL CASE AND NEEDS AS TO WHICH ONES ARE A BETTER CHOICE.

<<What should the new teeth be made of?>>

THERE ARE SOME CHOICES HERE AS WELL. SOME DENTISTS ONLY RECOMMEND PORCELAIN WHILE OTHERS RECOMMEND PLASTIC. EACH MATERIAL WEARS DOWN DIFFERENTLY AND PORCELAIN IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PLASTIC. IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSONS ANATOMY AS TO HOW THEIR JAW CLOSES TOGETHER IF THERE IS AN OVERBITE OF UNDERBITE, ETC. DEPENDS ON WHAT THE ANTICIPATED ESTHETIC OUTCOME IS FOR THE PATIENT.

<<How do I prevent infections post extraction, and also once the permanent dentures are in place? (These will be teeth and gum)>>

PREVENTION OF POST OP INFECTIONS DEPENDS ON A FEW THINGS.

ONE, HOW WELL, HOW THOROUGH AND HOW STERILE THE SURGERY WAS PERFORMED.

TWO, THE PATIENTS OVERALL HEALTH MAKES A HUGE IMPACT ON POST OP HEALING. MEDICATIONS, STRESS, SMOKING, ALCOHOL AND POOR EATING HABITS ALL CONTRIBUTE TO POST OP COMPLICATIONS.

IT IS WISE TO PLAN AHEAD FOR A SOFT FOOD NUTRITIOUS DIET WHICH WILL BE CONSUMED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS POST OP. THE MAIN STAPLE OF FOODS SHOULD BE FRESH, WHOLE FOODS AS THESE PROVIDE THE BEST SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS. DRINK PLENTY OF FILTERED WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED AND ELIMINATE THE BUILD UP OF TOXINS. AVOID PROCESSED AND REFINED FOODS, AVOID SUGAR AND SUGAR SUBSTITUTES AS THESE FOODS OFFER LITTLE TO NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND TAX THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

<<Are there any other questions that I should be asking the surgeon???>>

ASK HIM WHAT TYPE OF IMPLANTS HE USES AND WHY.
WILL HE BE USING BONE GRAFT MATERIAL, IF SO WHAT WILL HE USE?
TELL HIM TO INFORM YOU, ONCE THE SURGERY IS DONE, OF THE HEALTH OF THE JAW BONE AND IF THERE WERE ANY SINUS PERFORATIONS SEEN OR DID ANY OCCUR DURING THE SURGERY.

BE SURE TO GET EXPLICIT POST OP INSTRUCTIONS AND A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR AN EMERGENCY.

<< My issue is I walk in, sit in the chair, and then only hear white noise!!>>

ARE YOU JUST DOING A LOCAL ANESTHETIC OR ARE YOU HAVE SOME IV SEDATION?

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Mgiretto

Hi all,
I have been awake all night reading this forum, and before I begin. I would like to say, thank you!! There is hope.

I have been putting off this procedure for the last 8 years, both of my parents had all their teeth removed before they were 40. And at that time in the UK dental implants weren't an option, so normal dentures for both.

I am a beautiful 44 year old woman, who is really healthy - apart from my gums. Hereditary apparently?? When I was 18, I had toothache, went to the dentist (UK) where he pulled the back tooth out. Over a period of time, my teeth moved and I developed a gap, that I hated, between my front teeth. In 2007, my front right tooth dropped, and was visibly wobbling as I spoke. I found a really nice dentist, (in Abu Dhabi), who removed both front teeth, gave me a temporary denture, 4 root canals in the teeth on either side, and then gave me a bridge, across the front. I had a beautiful smile, but I will admit, it wasn't easy!!

Since then, the 2 upper teeth on either side of the bridge have just fallen out. One minute in my head, next, on the desk in front of me ( it happened at work). A couple of severe toothaches and 2 lower molars also removed, one either side.

I have been to see several dentists over the period, and I have always known that the treatment is going to be full removal and dentures. The gums are receding, and almost every tooth is wobbly.

I have FINALLY plucked up the courage to do this, I saw a specialist 2 days ago, and he wants to take a mould so impressions for the temporary removable dentures (thank you for the fixing recommendations to they don't move!!) then next week, do a full extraction , injections, and place 6 implants in the upper jaw, and 6 in the lower. Repeated visits over the next 5-6 months, and then the over dentures fixed.

From reading the forum, the up side appears to be that not only will I be able to fit into the skinniest of jeans, I'll have a great smile with no missing teeth from the get go. The down side is the cost....... $45,500 (AED 168,000) !!!!

I am seeing another specialist today, but it will only really be to see which of the 2 dentists I feel more comfortable with! As for the last 11 years, all the dentists I have seen have recommended the same treatment (even before the front tooth fell out).

My questions are pretty random, I was only going to take 1 day off from work, giving me the weekend to recover. Is this enough following full extraction and implants implanted??
What should the implants be made of?
What should the new teeth be made of?
How do I prevent infections post extraction, and also once the permanent dentures are in place? (These will be teeth and gum)
Are there any other questions that I should be asking the surgeon??? My issue is I walk in, sit in the chair, and then only hear white noise!!

Many, many thanks for this forum, and sharing your stories, and advice.

Maria


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mgiretto]

That's Bryanna for your response. I saw another specialist oral surgeon, and he has recommended a slightly different procedure "all on 4".
The upside, is that I won't have false dentures, I'll have temporary permanent dentures straight away!! Yay! I won't have to ever see me with no teeth.
What is also different, is that he wants to do this over 2 days, taking a lot more time to extract the teeth and ensure that the area is clean prior to implant insertion.
This would then be followed by repeated visits for 6 months (minimum) prior to the permanent dentures being made and fitted.
I go in on 17th May.


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[Bryanna]

Hi Mgiretto,

Okay, the all on 4 is a fairly new concept compared to what the other dentist was suggesting. The all on 4 also requires healthy jaw bone and someone very experienced in performing this surgery.

I assume he is going to do one all on 4 on the top and another on the lower? Both in the same day or the upper one day and the lower the next?

Yes, the idea is for the patient to walk out of surgery with a fixed temporary denture. However, it is important that you realize the implants are not going to be stable for months. So your diet needs to be soft <nutritious> foods only. Chewing food on new implants can prevent the bone from healing completely and then complications set in. So it's good that you are so excited and looking forward to this new venture... but keep the happiness flowing by being prepared with a proper diet ahead of time

Please let us know how things go! All the best to you!

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Mgiretto

That's Bryanna for your response. I saw another specialist oral surgeon, and he has recommended a slightly different procedure "all on 4".
The upside, is that I won't have false dentures, I'll have temporary permanent dentures straight away!! Yay! I won't have to ever see me with no teeth.
What is also different, is that he wants to do this over 2 days, taking a lot more time to extract the teeth and ensure that the area is clean prior to implant insertion.
This would then be followed by repeated visits for 6 months (minimum) prior to the permanent dentures being made and fitted.
I go in on 17th May.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk