The Implant Dentistry Blog

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Link exchanges:

Kalamazoo emergency dentist Dr. Michael Sharp

It sounds like your dentist is doing the right thing under the circumstances. The proper way to treat a case of unevenness in the very front is to wear a temporary crown as you try to get the crown to look exactly like the one beside it. It can be tricky getting that done.

But I would still ask for a second opinion. And remember that the best way to get a second opinion is not to give the new dentist any clue about the treatment plan you got from the first one. You want their judgments to be completely independent.

It is hard to get gums to grow back once they’ve receded, but it can be done with careful care and carefully following your dentists instructrions.

In our office for dental implant cases, we place prototype crowns that are shaped, colored, and positioned just like your permanet crowns are done. You then wear this “prototype smile” home to make sure you feel comfortable with it. Only when you are satisfied do we complete the case by permanently bonding the permanent crowns to the implants.

Related links:
Dental implant failure
Dental implant surgery - Dr. Chal carefully explains the straightforward surgical procedures required to place a dental implants.
Dental implants cost

I had my missing teeth replaced in 2003. The dentist removed the two corner teeth in front. They were the anchors for my bridge replacing four teeth. In total I have now six dental implants and the crowns are cemented onto the implants and not screwed into them.

I had also a bone grafting from my hip bone to do the implants, and i found out later because of severe pain on my hip that there are two wires to keep, I dont no what, in place, but they need to be removed. I am really scared.

That is not all. The ear and nose specialist found that two of the implants are in my nose, which causes severe sinus problems for me. I dont know what else can be the problem. He said it needs to be removed, but my dentist feels that could cause other problems.

My jawbone is very sensitive so is my upper gum where implants are done. Every four to six months they try something new and it is very painful. When they took off the bridges, I look like a monster with all these implants. I also lost more bone even though they have done bone grafting.

Please advise.
Myra from Namibia

Myra,
I think our level of care in the United States is higher than in Namibia, but we have seen most of the problems here that you talk about having there.

I don’t know anything about the Namibia health care system and how many and what quality of dental implant specialists you have, but I’d encourage you to find another dentist and get a second opinion.

The implants in your nose are definitely a problem. Whether or not that is the entire source of your discomfort I can’t tell without a full exam, but that definitely should be corrected. But my inclination would be to not go back to the dentist who put them there because I would think he or she would be likely to just do the same thing again. To avoid improper implant placement, you need to have a three-dimensional CT scan, and that shows the implant dentist exactly where it is safe to place the implants. So find a dentist who uses these three-dimensional CT scans. That would be a good start.

And you shouldn’t be having any pain in the bone or the gum around the implants. That’s a sign that something is wrong.

Links to related topics:
Phoenix dental implants
Dental implants in my nose
Pain with dental implants
Dental implant failure

I have a failed dental implant in my #7 tooth. It was placed right after the tooth was pulled and bone graft put in. My gum right now is purple and the x-ray shows the implant has only grown into the very top part of my jawbone.

I have to see an oral surgeon to have it removed and probably will need more bone graft to keep the socket from shrinking horribly.

I am so upset at this point and out $4500. I will need a bridge in that area and am so terrified it will look horrible and unnatural. I have crowns (healthy, beautiful) on # 8,9 #10 so color matching shouldn’t be a major problem…my gum line will be.

Can you help me? Thank you for anything you can advise.
- Sandy in Connecticut

Dear Sandy,
Rather than take the chance with another dental implant, I would tend to recommend that you replace the tooth with a fixed bridge. Especially since you already have crowns on your other incisors

It’s hard to say why the dental implant failed. It could be something it the procedure that wasn’t done right, but it could also be in your DNA. Some people have what is called a weak biotype, and they simply don’t respond well to dental implants.

A bone graft or even a soft tissue graft where you have the missing tooth will greatly help the appearance of the socket. But if you have a low lip line and the gum doesn’t show when you smile, that may not be necessary.

Related links:
Dental implants
Dental implant failure
Dental implant vs bridge