Experience with dentures

[palmettomoon]

Yeah that’s a little strong. That’s Cadillac teeth. With extractions and dentures I won’t be close to that.

Lamborghini is full tooth replacements on implants. Usually about $80+ grand all in. All on 4 or 3 will run about $30+ grand but are far superior to flappers (about $2K not including extractions). Having 3 to 4 posts will stimulate your bone in the jaw and skull so you'll have less resorption.

 

[drsmile]

OK, so I just posted this. Should help folks understand denture hybrids:

 

[MegaFan]

Awesome info drsmile ! Can you share how that upper hybrid denture design compares in approximate cost to other options? I have to ask... what's up with that chocolate candy on the table? Was that staged just for the ODT crowd? Thanks very much for jumping in to share what appears to be a great design!

 

[Scoutmaster17]

I've been a dentist since 1993, ( just my opinion not know all the facts) but dentures can be a good option for some people. Once you have all the teeth pulled and have dentures made that is not the end of dental problems. Dentures can break, chip or crack due to lots of reasons. Bone WILL continue to shrink and change over time, so dentures may need to be remade or relined over time. Talk to people that have them, most will tell you that dentures aren't any where near the same as real teeth. Yes implants can cost the same as a good used car if you're replacing the whole upper or whole lower, but they must be maintained with regular dental visits or those can fail also. When it comes to teeth I tell my patients a man is never going to give you something as good as what God gave you and like everything else in life teeth must be checked and maintained at regular intervals. Also, real teeth never get misplaced in a nursing home

 

[drsmile]

Awesome info drsmile ! Can you share how that upper hybrid denture design compares in approximate cost to other options? I have to ask... what's up with that chocolate candy on the table? Was that staged just for the ODT crowd? Thanks very much for jumping in to share what appears to be a great design!

Options are almost limitless. Full on dentures, overdentures attached to a couple remaining teeth roots or implants, hybrids, screw retained teeth, etc.....

The first step is an exam and conversation about the issues present, goals, and limiting factors (money and systemic health issues that could impact treatment).

Once a choice is made, the usual first step is record gathering to make a plate ahead of when the teeth are removed. An immediate denture is made, then the teeth can be removed. The immediate is placed with a soft liner (we call it tissue conditioning). This liner should be replaced every 2-3 weeks while healing over the next few months (tissue atrophies while it heals the soft liner helps keep the plate more stable as this process occurs). Gums heal in 4-6 weeks, bone over the next 12-14 weeks. Once totally healed, the immediate can be relined to fit the atrophied jaw / ridge. For folks just going the denture route, I recommend having an additional plate made so you have a backup in case of an ER.

Once the bone is healed, assuming enough bone is present, implants can be placed later (they can also be placed when the teeth are removed assuming the bone quality is ok (implants need to be placed in healthy bone, not infected bone where an abcessed tooth was). Implants take 3-6 months to heal depending on torque values when initially placed, and your overall health. I place implants using 3D printed guides I make in house from the CT scans I take in my office. It allows for a very accurate and low risk method of placement.

A full 1 arch immediate denture usually runs around 1600-1800, not including extractions, any bone grafting needed, bone contouring, etc... This fee includes tissue conditions but not the final lab reline which is usually around 250.

The MK1 hybrid in my video can take around 6-9mos to complete depending on how many teeth were removed, bone quality, heal time, etc..... You need a transitional denture to wear while the implants are cooking for this one. Once implants are done cooking, the bar is made, verified to fit, and the new teeth are made. The MK1 is the Tesla of dentures. I runs around 25-30K.

Another option is overdentures that snap onto 2 implants or retained roots, Implants have males, the inside of the plate has females and they click together. The females have to be changed 1-2x/year as the nylon wears over time and is less retentive. This option runs around 7-8K not including extractions, bone work, etc.....

As always, ODT folk do not pay for imaging or consults/2nd opinions at my office. If your a WWII or Korean War vet, the work is on me, the lab bills are on you.

chris

The candy is leftover from Valentines.....

 

[Eggmanmja01]

And don't get me wrong, she was a beautiful woman! Unfortunately, she fell asleep on the highway and ate the steering wheel.

 

[kuduboss]

I've had multiple crowns, fillings, root canals and will finish an implant and bridge this month at UAB Dental college in Birmingham. Still expensive but 50% of the price any where else. Go on line and check out their website. Another dental school is in Augusta.

 

[drsmile]

I've had multiple crowns, fillings, root canals and will finish an implant and bridge this month at UAB Dental college in Birmingham. Still expensive but 50% of the price any where else. Go on line and check out their website. Another dental school is in Augusta.

Great idea, I encourage that IF you have the time, students have to learn somehow. What may take a few appointments at a private dentist, will take a dozen or more at the dental schools. They have to screen you, filter you through the system, assign you to a student, and every step has to be signed off by faculty. It’s a great way to get good, less cost work, but at the expense of time.

 

[lostchild]

Slight thread derail…
When my daughter was at UAB med school, she mentioned the folks who would volunteer to be a patient when the students were learning to do prostate exams. Seems like there’s better ways to earn a few bucks.

 

[eightnsand]

Another sidebar, The children asked if they had to brush their teeth, their mother would respond, “only the ones you want to keep!”
GLWShopping for dental care.