How Long Will It Take to Get Implant Overdentures?

I am anxious about how long it will take to get implant overdnetures. My teeth have deteriorated so much over the past five years that my dentist referred me to a periodontist. Only two of my teeth are worth saving. But my gum disease is so advanced that I decided to go with dentures. I am 62 years old, so the perio told me about dental implants. She was not pushy at all. She just explained how implants might help me. Although I am still deciding, I think I will go with four dental implants for an overdenture. I have not talked to my dentist or the periodontist about my anxiety level. The older I get, the more anxious I become. Although I didn’t fear dental implants in the past, the thought of extractions, possible bone grafting, and implant surgery sometimes causes me to panic. I just want it to be over. I realize that your office is not a specialty office. But can you give me an idea of how much dental work I can get done in one sitting? Thank you. Esther from Nashville

Esther,

How much dental work a dentist or periodontist will do in one sitting depends on several factors, including the patient’s tolerance, the work to be completed, and whether you receive sedation.

How Long Does It Take to Get Implant Overdentures?

How long it takes to get implant overdentures depends on several factors, including tooth removal, gum and bone health, the number of implants you receive, your health and tolerance, and the specialist’s judgment.

• Tooth removal – If your periodontist must remove teeth before implant placement, it will lengthen treatment time. Sometimes after tooth removal, a periodontist must build up your bone before placing implants.
• Gum health – A periodontist will ensure your gums are healthy before placing dental implants. She will treat your gum disease first. Gum disease can lead to jawbone loss, and healthy bone is a requirement for dental implants.
• Bone health – Besides healthy bone, you need enough bone volume to support dental implants. If you lack jawbone volume, a periodontist will recommend bone grafting to anchor your dental implants. Otherwise, the implants can loosen and fail. After bone grafting, your periodontist may wait three to four months before placing implants.
• How many implants you receive – An oral surgeon or periodontist places one dental implant at a time. The more implants you receive, the longer the surgery will take. Each implant can take one to two hours to place.
• Your final implant denture – You will wear a temporary denture until your implants and jawbone fuse. And that can take about four months. Afterward, your dentist will secure the final denture to the implants.

How Sedation Dentistry Affects Your Dental Work

When you receive implant overdentures or any dental work, sedation dentistry will help you relax throughout the procedure. Even if you do not have dental anxiety, sedation helps a dentist complete more work than they could without giving you sedation.

After an examination and 3-D x-rays, your periodontist will make a treatment plan. They will explain how much dental work you can expect for each appointment. But sedation dentistry will alleviate your anxiety during each dental visit.

 

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, sponsors this post.

 

My Dentist Wants to Remove My New Implant

I chose the wrong dentist for implants because he placed them in shallow bone and now wants to remove them. A month after implant surgery, my dentist took an x-ray and said the implant he not healing. He wasn’t to remove it and try again. So far, the implant is not loose and doesn’t hurt. I do not trust the dentist to try again. Two weeks ago, I told the dentist I needed time to consider my options. I don’t believe I have options other than implant removal, but I need advice. What do you suggest? Thank you. Wilfredo from Elk Grove, CA

Wilfredo,

Thank your question. We understand that dental implant failure can be frustrating and disappointing. Dr. Michalski would need to examine your implant site for an accurate diagnosis, but we can provide some helpful Information.

What If Your Dentist Wants to Remove Your Implant?

If your dentist wants to remove your implant after placing it in shallow bone, it probably means that the dentist did not plan properly. Skilled implant dentists take a 3-D CT scan before implant placement to see your bone volume and determine whether it is enough for implants or if you need bone grafting.

Your dentist is responsible for these reasons:

• Low-quality standard of care
• Increasing your risk of infection or trauma
• Performing surgery that would fail
• Creating an inconvenience for you to repeat surgery

What Can You Do If About Dental Implant Failure?

You should request a refund if a dentist’s negligence causes dental implant failure. If the dentist is uncooperative, you can try the following:

• Report the issue to the state dental board
• Get advice from a medical malpractice attorney
• Get a second opinion from an advanced implant dentist

Is It Too Late to Replace a Dental Implant?

Usually, it is not too late to replace a dental implant that failed due to a lack of bone volume. A skilled implant dentist can determine whether a bone graft will help you continue treatment. The dentist must take the following steps:

• Remove the loose implant
• Perform bone grafting surgery
• Allow the graft to heal, or in some cases, immediately place the new implant

We wish you a smooth resolution.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologist, sponsors this post.