Bone grafting
 

Hi,

I have been advised that I should consider having implants where all my molars once were.

Unfortunately there is no bone structure in the upper region of my jaw and therefore bone grafting will be necessary which will also mean that they will have to do a sinus lift on both sides.

I can't seem to come to terms with the sinus lift and grafting. I've read from other posters this operation is quite serious and the after pain and swelling is considerable.

I understand the logistics of the process, it all is logical from a surgeons explanation and the numerous sites I've read but I have also read where patients suffer greatly post grafting with swelling the size of lemons, extraordinary pain, nose bleeds and throwing up for at least 1 - 2 weeks after.

And then of course is the added fear that the graft won't take and it was all done in vain.

So what are the chances of the bone grafts not taking? Especially as it is such a large area to grow that has been empty for so long?

And what are the chances that my sinuses will be damaged?

I would greatly appreciate some feedback.....I'm 52 and still have a good 30 years left in me :)

Hi Wire,

Have you ever worn or considered wearing a removable partial denture?

If your teeth have been missing for more than a few years, your current bone level will be greatly diminished and your sinuses could be quite low. You are correct in that this surgery would be quite extensive but more than that, it may not be advantageous.

Have you had more than one consultation with oral surgeons? Have they talked about the possibility of doing mini implants? Not every one is a candidate for them but it may be worth the discussion.

Bryanna

Hi Brianna, thanks so much for your thoughts.

Yes, my bottom molars were extracted some 10 years ago and no dentist advised me about the situation I am in now, where the top molars would start dropping because they wouldn't have the bottom teeth to brace on.

The the rear two top molars just fell out and I have one molar on each top side left but they are very very loose and the x-rays show they are just being held in place by the gum, there is no bone left.

The top molars themselves were in good condition, no fillings, and I'm just so upset that I wasn't told what would happen if I didn't address the missing lower teeth. And this was over a ten year period of going to the dentist twice a year for cleans :(.

Brianna, I've had a huge education by finding your site a few days ago. Thank you so much for the valuable info you are publishing here. I am astounded that root canals are just a temporary quick fix, not a solution to a problem as we are often led to believe.

I've never worn a denture but I think this is the course I'll follow, maybe a supper-dooper state of the art one until modern medicine can develop a less invasive way of bone growth.

I'm seeing the oral surgeon in about 2 weeks and will also look into the mini's just to be informed.

Thank you again, I feel less panicky now :)

I will look into the mini's, even if

Hi Wire,

Thank you for the kind words. I do try to give as much information as possible because I know that the dental profession is a bit shy on informing their patients.

It is true that teeth need a "buddy" to chew against or they can drift out of place. Why were your molars removed in the first place? By any chance do you have periodontal disease? If so, this too will contribute to teeth loosening and drifting. This condition also increases the risk of dental implant failure because of the ongoing bacterial infection.

If the lower jaw where those teeth are missing is very flat a removable partial denture will be difficult to fabricate .... but it probably can be done. However, there is no guarantee that it will be comfortable while eating .....but it may be worth a try.

Ask the surgeon what your lease invasive options are. Also it may be advantageous to consult with a prosthodontist. These are dentists who specialize in the replacement of missing teeth... they do NOT do the surgical treatment, just the restorative.

Keep us posted!
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

Periodontal desease runs in my family. Both parents, siblings, we have all had to deal with it hence my manic approach for oral hygiene. We went to Greece last year to see my cousins (same age as me) and other family and they all had issues with their teeth/gums/jaw bone.

On the other hand, my georgous husband (and his parents & siblings) have teeth like horses! Strong and solid, even the 78 year old mother in law. My husband spends less than 1 minute brushing morning and night and has never flossed.

I have all the gadgets, good quality electric tooth brush, 2 picks, several toothpastes, at least 5 floss containers (wide tape, thin tape, waxed, not waxed, flavoured, etc) those little brush thingies....he has 1 tooth brush and that's it :) go figure, genetics.

In regards to my bottom molars, when I was 10 or 11 I was sent to a dentist because of some decay in the molars. In his wisdom he removed about 80% of the teeth surface and put amalgam in their place. Many years later with fractures along the gum line another dentist needed to replace the fillings with more amalgam. About 10 years ago the roots of the molars just collapsed and were removed. This would have been the perfect time to have implants but I wasn't aware they existed and the dentist never mentioned it.

Luckily all my remaining lowers are in good nick and haven't shifted around. I'm having the two end ones capped though, to protect them from further wear as they do so much work!

In my early 20's I needed a root canal on my upper canine. The dentist accidentally put that little file through the root (sideways) through into the gum. He showed me the x-ray and packed me off to a surgeon where my gums were lifted and the root was patched up.

That tooth snapped off a few years later and a bridge was placed. I'm having that and other old veneers (upper area) replaced in a couple of weeks.

I'm calling it a complete mouth reconstruction. Lol!

Thanks again for your thoughts and comments, appreciated.

PS: this time I'm being advised by an implantologist and specialists in this field.