Go Big or Go Home
Q: Dr. Crapo: Two years ago I discovered that due to neglect I had lost a great deal of gum and bone support around my teeth. I started experiencing puffy gums around the lower anterior teeth. When my dentist x-rayed my mouth, he discovered that six of my lower teeth, from left lower eye tooth to right lower lateral incisor, had lost too much bone support to save them. These teeth were loose and expelled pus when pressure was put on the gums surrounding them. I’m a medical professional and this was hard to take. I’ve treated infection and disease all my life but I didn’t think this silent mouth disease could be so devastating. In any case, I had intense treatment over a number of months. In that time, the teeth were removed and I settled for a partial denture. At first it fit tightly and comfortably but lately the fit is not so secure. I’ve thought of implants and wondered if mini implants would secure the partial satisfactorily or if there are better options. I want to keep my teeth; however, I’ve been told that despite the fact they feel solid, I’ve lost about half the bone on the roots of the ones remaining. I’m committed to spending the time necessary to not allow gum infection to invade again. It reminds me of heart disease, one day you’re dancing and the next day you’re fighting for your life. I feel like I’m
fighting for my teeth. What do you think; will mini implants do the trick?
A: Just like heart disease that happens without
one’s perception, gum and bone disease (periodontal disease) can do the same. Now,
after treatment, if your mouth is healthy, two or three mini implants would
secure your partial very nicely. In certain situations, they’re ideal and less
costly than regular implants. If your remaining teeth had not suffered the bone
and gum loss, I’d say you’re a candidate for mini implants because future loss
would be unlikely (i.e.: if you’d lost these teeth in an accident).
Given that you are susceptible (I’m sure as a health professional you weren’t derelict with your hygiene), I would suggest the placement of regular implants. The reason is this – if you place minis and need more implants in the future because of tooth loss, you will have to stay with minis. This will limit the kind of treatment possible because prosthetically mixing minis and regular implants is very difficult. Place regular sized implants, then if needed in the future, regular implants can be added and the prosthetic puzzle more easily worked out. It will ultimately be
less costly and you will be able to construct a stronger and better prosthesis.
If we can help, we’d like to. Call 778-410-2080 for a consultation.