dental bridge Archives - Susan M. Dennis, D.D.S

Are Dental Implants Stronger than Natural Teeth?

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Dr. Dennis.

I’m a stuntman and seem to have the worst luck with losing teeth. I lose way more teeth than my colleagues. I’m wondering if it would be useful to replace my teeth that come out with dental implants. Are they stronger than natural teeth? If I got dentures instead I think they’d break more easily so that might not be my best idea. What’s your recommendation?

Alistair I.

Dear Alistair,

diagram of a dental implant in bone

The first priority should be finding out why you’re losing more teeth than your colleagues. While it could be just a spout of unfortunate luck, I’d like you to eliminate the possibility that you have periodontal disease. That would make you more prone to losing teeth. If you have gum disease, then you won’t be a candidate for dental implants. In addition, even if you got them you’d be just as likely to lose those as you are your current teeth.

If it’s just a spate of bad luck, it might be a good idea to use a mouthguard during your stunts. This might protect you. Without gum disease, dental implants are a great tooth replacement option. However, they’re not easy to replace if you lose them in an accident. It would require bone grafting and a second implant surgery.

Two other options are a dental bridge or removable dental implants. Both of those are easier to replace if something happens to them.

Get checked out by a good general dentist and find out the health of your teeth and gums. You can proceed from there.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

What Happens if You Knock Out a Tooth?

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

My neighbor’s son plays soccer and they invited me to a game. I thought this was supposed to be a no-contact sport but two members from opposite teams ended up in a fight. One of them lost a tooth. He just tossed it. But, I thought maybe it was possible to save an adult tooth, even if it was knocked out. Am I wrong about that?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

hockey player with a tooth knocked out — Can a knocked out tooth be saved?

It is possible for a knocked out permanent tooth to be saved, but only under certain conditions.

First, you have to get to the dentist within 30 minutes to have a chance of saving the tooth. Because this is a dental emergency, they will see you right away. In fact, it’s encouraged you call them ahead of time and let them know you’re on your way, along with what happened. This way they can be ready for you as soon as you get there.

If you don’t have a regular dentist, you can call a dentist who sees non-established patients in cases of emergencies. You can do an internet search for an emergency dentist to locate one.

Secondly, you’ll want to only pick it up by the crown, never touch the root. The crown is the part which is visible when you smile.

Finally, make sure you keep the tooth moist. If you have a cup of milk, you can gently place it there. Otherwise, just place it between your gums and your teeth.

I’m sure it goes without saying that when you’re playing any sport, whether it is a contact sport or not, it is always recommended you wear a mouthguard to help prevent these type of emergencies.

When Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved

Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a tooth can’t be saved. When that happens, you’ll want to look at tooth replacement options. Two of the best are a dental implant and a dental bridge. Hopefully, you’ll never face that, but if you do, it’s good to have a couple of things to look into.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Emergency Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Would a CEREC Crown Have Saved My Tooth?

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I had a root canal some time back. I wanted to have a CEREC crown placed on it, but my dentist didn’t have the machine. I was disappointed, but he’s been my dentist for years so I felt guilty considering going to someone else. I agreed to get the regular kind of crown. Though, he wanted to see how my tooth would do without a root canal first. We waited a couple of weeks and then I decided I’d rather not wait any longer. I had the temporary made and then went out of town on business. On the first day out, the temporary crown broke. I was going to be gone for over a week so I called my dental office. They told me it was no big deal and don’t stress over it, the tooth would be fine. But, by the time I returned to town and went to see them they told me the tooth couldn’t be saved. I was furious. If I’d gotten the crown sooner maybe this wouldn’t have happened. He said it wouldn’t have mattered, it was brittle from the root canal. Should I get a second opinion? Would I have saved the tooth if I’d gotten a CEREC?

Felicity J.

Dear Felicity,

CEREC Restorations

Yes, you should definitely get a second opinion. It’s always better to save a tooth whenever possible. Plus, there are some things your dentist is saying that doesn’t quite fit. Your tooth wouldn’t have been unsavable that quickly. It’s possible he’s covering for the fact that he didn’t take the care with you he should have. In addition to providing a crown sooner, he should have sent you to a dentist who sees non-established patients in the case of dental emergencies after your temporary crown broke, especially given how long you were going to be away. Even if your tooth can still be saved, it’s very likely your teeth have shifted and the permanent crown will no longer fit.

Hopefully, your second opinion dentist will tell you the tooth can be saved. Otherwise, you’re talking about also having to deal with a tooth extraction and researching tooth replacement options. If that does become necessary, I’d suggest you look into getting a dental implant. They’re much better than removable partial dentures. A dental bridge is okay, but it also means grinding down two other teeth. If they’re healthy, I don’t see the point. It’s much better to save whatever tooth structure can be saved.

It’s true, a CEREC crown would have prevented all of this to begin with. You would have had a crown the same day. But, there’s nothing that can be done about that now, unfortunately.

Hopefully, things will work out with a different dentist. Never stay with a dentist out of guilt. Either they can provide you with the care you need or they can’t. It’s your health, so don’t feel guilty.

This blog is brought to you by Emergency Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis of Michigan.

Dentist or Oral Surgeon?

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I need an extraction. I did this to myself by letting my dental anxiety get in the way. It kept me from getting my tooth taken care of when it could still be saved. Instead, I waited until it needed a root canal treatment, then avoided coming back for the crown. Now it is infected. I went to see a different dentist because I was too embarrassed to go back to the first one. He agreed that it was infected and said it needed to be extracted. He did mention it would be an involved extraction and asked if I’d rather have it done under anesthesia. Anesthesia would cost a fortune and involve surgical fees. Am I putting myself in danger doing it the cheap way?

Carrie

Woman sleeping in a dental chair from dental sedation, wearing a blue cloth cover

People with dental anxiety often prefer sleep dentistry.

Your dentist put you in an unfair position. It makes you feel unsafe and insecure. The better question would be whether or not this dentist is concerned the procedure is over his head.

I would put the question to him. He should be honest with you. There is a way to get this done without anesthesia. I suggest you see a sedation dentist. Though most dentists offer two levels, in your position I’m going to suggest oral conscious sedation (OCS). This is administered with a simple pill. However, it is so strong you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you for several hours afterward until you are lucid and steady on your feet again.

This has changed the lives of people with dental anxiety, saving them thousands of dollars. As you know, if you would have been comfortable seeing the dentist, you could have had this cavity dealt with when it first popped up. That would have eliminated the need for either the root canal treatment or this, now necessary, extraction.

Your Tooth Replacement Options

You will need to replace your tooth. The top tooth replacement is a dental implant. This is like having a healthy, natural tooth back in your mouth again.

The next best option is to get a dental bridge. It suspends a false tooth between two dental crowns. This may actually make more sense for you if one of the adjacent teeth needs a dental crown anyway.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Sedation Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

She Needs a Second Opinion

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I am quite worried about what’s going on. I will be the first to admit I do not like going to the dentist. I avoid it as much as possible. A couple of weeks ago I started getting a toothache. I went to see a dentist who is new to the area and has cheaper prices. He did an x-ray and said the tooth has a massive cavity under a previous filling. He also said he wouldn’t be sure if he could save the tooth until he got in there. He said if it had to be removed he would provide either a dental implant or a bridge. I have a few questions. Is it normal for a tooth to go bad this quickly? I am not good at the dentist at the best of times. If the tooth has to be removed, should I have it done at a hospital? Finally, which tooth replacement do you recommend?

Cady

Dear Cady,

Before you move forward on this I want you to get a second opinion. If your tooth was really as bad as he indicated, it would be a dental emergency and you would have been in pain for quite some time.

Plus, if the cavity was really that large he would not have needed an x-ray. There would have been a large hole and the filling likely would have fallen out.

When you get a second opinion make sure it is a blind second opinion. That means you don’t tell the second dentist who the dentist was or what he recommended for treatment. You want his unbiased opinion.

About Your Dental Anxiety

You are not alone in your fear of the dentist. The good news is, even if you had to have your tooth extracted (which I’m not convinced of) you won’t need to go to a hospital to have it done.

Instead, I would see a sedation dentist. Depending on the level of your anxiety you can either do nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. With the right sedation, you can get an anxiety-free appointment.

Replacing a Tooth

The top-of-the-line tooth replacement option would be the dental implant. However, if any of the adjacent teeth are in need of dental work, like a crown, it may make more sense to get a dental bridge. If the adjacent teeth are healthy, then go with the dental implant.

This blog is brought to you by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Comfort Dental or Private Dentist?

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

At Comfort Dental, I had all my incisors replaced with a bridge and anchored by my canine teeth. They recently became loose and had to be extracted. When they extracted my anchor teeth, they put in a partial denture, but it is very uncomfortable. I really don’t think I can stick with it. I asked them, their next option and they want to replace each missing upper tooth with mini implants because I’m on a tight budget. I decided based on my previous experience with them to just see what another dentist has to say. I went to a local dentist in private practice. His suggestion was completely different. He wants to place three full-sized implants, two where the canines were and one directly between them. This plan is considerably more expensive, even though it is fewer total implants. Is there a good reason to do the more expensive plan or is the cheaper plan safe?

Margie

Dear Margie,

The picture directly above shows a side by side comparison of a full sized-dental implant (left) with the mini-implant (right). I don’t like that Comfort Dental is replacing teeth with mini-implants. That’s not what they’re designed to do. The best they can handle is to stabilize a denture. Putting them as the root for individual teeth will not last long.

Comfort Dental is a corporate dental practice. They tend to draw in brand new dentists straight out of dental school who are trying to garner some experience before striking out in private practice.

Dental implants are a particularly advanced procedure and require some post-doctoral studies to truly understand and get right. In fact, it is one of the largest cases of dental malpractice right now because too many dentists don’t invest in that extra training.

If you went with Comfort Dental’s plan, the teeth wouldn’t last very long and the implants will fail. You won’t be able to just replace them either. When they fail, they’ll take bone structure with them. That bone structure is necessary to integrate with any new implants you may want to have. In order to get that back, you’ll need an additional procedure known as bone grafting. Does that sound like saving money to you?

The Right Dental Implant Treatment

I’d go with the dentist suggesting the three full-sized dental implants. He’ll anchor a dental bridge to them. Putting the third one in the center shows he really understands the engineering principles behind dental implants.

Placing a bridge on the canine teeth, as comfort dental did earlier, puts too much stress on the canines because of the motion of our bite in that area. It causes a twisting motion that will loosen those teeth. That is why you lost those teeth to begin with.

Now, by adding a third implant between them, it will stabilize the bridge, thereby preventing the twisting motion. Yes, this plan will initially cost you more money, but it could very well last your lifetime, much unlike the “cheaper” plan.

This blog is brought to you by dental implant dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Antibiotics and Tooth Infections

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I had a root canal treatment a couple of months ago and then lost my job. I didn’t keep my appointment to get the dental crown placed. Now I think I’m dealing with a tooth infection as a result. I happen to have a sinus infection and can get my doctor to write me an antibiotic prescription. Is there a better antibiotic for tooth infections?

Cary

Dear Cary,

It would be a wonderful solution if tooth infections worked that way. Unfortunately, the physiology of a tooth prevents that from being a viable option. An infection kills the inside of a tooth. Because of that, the medicine never reaches the infection. At that point, the only way to “heal” the infection is for your dentist to get in there and physically remove the infected pulp. This is typically done one of two ways: either by a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction. At this point, you may need an extraction.

You may already know this, but just in case you don’t, I want to make sure you understand an infected tooth is considered a dental emergency. I don’t know if you are still out of work, but I don’t want you to put off getting this treated. People still die from tooth infections. People don’t realize how the proximity of our jaws to our brain, heart, and lungs can put you in serious danger as the infection spreads. I’m saying this not to scare you but to ensure you treat the infection seriously.

I know especially during this time with the pandemic going on, money is tough for many people. If you’re out of work, I am positive you will be able to find a dentist who will be willing to treat your infection and work out a payment option for you.

Replacing a Tooth

When a tooth is removed, with very few exceptions, it needs to be replaced. When finances are better, the ideal tooth replacement is a dental implant. It is like having a healthy, natural tooth in your jaw again. I realize that is not an option for you right now. You can either get an easily replaceable temporary tooth or invest in one of the other options like a dental bridge.

The downside to a dental bridge is that it requires the two adjacent teeth to your missing tooth to get ground down for dental crowns. If they’re healthy, you may not want to do that. Instead, you can get a dental flipper or a removable partial denture while you save up for a dental implant.

This blog is brought to you by Michigan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Nervous about Comfort Dental’s Plan

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I had a dental bridge to replace all of my incisors done at Comfort Dental. The canine teeth were my anchor teeth. Those eventually became loose and I lost those teeth as well. They made a removable partial denture for me but it was quite uncomfortable. I had a difficult time wearing it and asked for another option. They’re suggesting I replace my teeth using dental implants. They will keep the cost down for me by using mini-implants instead. I decided to get a second opinion just to be safe and was thrown by how different the treatment recommendation was. Now I’m not sure which is right, though Comfort Dental’s plan is definitely less expensive. The other dentist wants to do a dental bridge but with three full-sized dental implants. Two on each side and one directly in the center. I don’t want to go for the cheaper one just because it is cheaper if I will hate it as much as I have everything else they’ve done for me so far. Do you have a recommendation?

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

I am going to recommend you go with the second dentist’s plan. There are some real concerns with Comfort Dental’s recommendations. I know the other treatment was less expensive, but it will end up costing you more in the long run. Mini implants are not meant to support implant crowns. Instead, they will just help stabilize a denture. I wouldn’t expect them to last very long. Then, when they come out they will take some bone structure with them. In order to replace them, you will need some bone grafting done and then start over.

The plan the other dentist recommended is much more secure and based on sound engineering principles. Replacing all your front teeth is hard because of the twisting forces involved.

With a dental bridge, it is ideal to have the abutment teeth (anchor teeth) directly on either side of your missing tooth, such as you can see in the picture directly above.

However, when you are talking about your front teeth, it is very hard to achieve this placement.

Why Three Dental Implants

If you look at this image above, you can see the type of bridge Comfort Dental provided you. With the twisting forces that happen to the abutment teeth, it is no surprise those teeth failed. If you only put dental implants in that same position, even with full-sized dental implants, then you’d have the same problem with failure. By placing the third implant in the center eliminates all the twisting forces thereby keeping the implants secure.

This blog is brought to you by Michigan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Three Surgeries and No Dental Implant

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I had a tooth which had to be extracted. From the beginning, I told my dentist I wanted a dental implant to replace the tooth, which he thought was a great idea as well. After the first surgery, he told me the bone was too thin and I’d need to have some bone grafting done. So, we scheduled and completed that surgery. Then, we went back in for the implant surgery again. For the second time, he closed everything up and said the bone is still too thin. I’m beyond frustrated. Would this have happened if I’d gone to a dental implant specialist?

Dan

Dear Dan,

One of the problems you are facing is there isn’t a recognized specialty in dental implants. This means any dentist can place them. What you need, however, is someone who has invested significant training in this procedure. That training has to be done post doctorally. Dental school isn’t enough.

I’ll give your dentist credit for his integrity, though. Some dentists would have been too embarrassed to admit their procedure failed. Instead, they would have just moved forward and placed your dental implant. It would have failed after a few months, but by then there’d be no way to know it was your dentist’s fault. His integrity is saving you significant problems in the future.

Where to Go From Here

Your first option is to just do what your dentist is suggesting, which means getting a dental bridge. This is an acceptable solution, especially if you are sick of the whole process and want to get this over with.

Your second option is to try again for your dental implant. Ask your dentist for a refund. I get the feeling he’ll be totally willing to accommodate you there. Then, you’ll need to secure a dentist who is skilled in dental implants.

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need someone who invested in the requisite training. For instance, Dr. Dennis received implant training and credentials from the 3i company. Other reputable institutions would be:

The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
Dawson Academy
Spear Institute
Kois Center
The Pankey Institute

One important note. Many dentists refer you to an oral surgeon for the first part of the procedure. That is fine. In that case, just be certain it is the dentist who determines the placement of the implants and that there is good communication between the two of them.

This blog is brought to you by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

My Dentist Said Dental Implants are Over Rated

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I lost a tooth and would really like to replace it with a dental implant. I’ve been told by some friends they are way better than a dental bridge. My dentist keeps telling me they are overrated and he thinks I’ll be happier with the bridge. While the bridge is cheaper and I am glad he is not just trying to push me to the expensive treatment, I’d really like to get the dental implant if they are better. I know I should believe the professional, but my friend is a pretty straight shooter and she loves hers.

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

Never feel like you have to believe someone just because they are the professional. It is always better to verify and get second opinions. Even professionals disagree on a regular basis. In this case, I think your friend is the one on the right track. So, why isn’t your dentist recommending that treatment?

More often than you’d expect, a dentist who doesn’t feel comfortable in their skills with a certain procedure will, instead of admitting their shortcomings, steer their patient toward a procedure they feel more confident doing.

You can get your dental implant, but don’t pressure your dentist to do it. He won’t be the best dentist for you in this case. You need someone with significant post-doctoral training in dental implants and restorative dentistry.

Dental implants are not really taught in dental school, so dentists do need to invest in the training after they graduate. It is also not a specialty, so it is up to the dentist how much training they get. Combine those two issues and we end up with this being one of the more commonly litigated malpractice suits.

When does a Dental Bridge Make More Sense?

The one time I would say it might make more sense to get a dental bridge versus a dental implant is if either (or both) of the adjacent teeth need a dental crown anyway. In that case, not only are you not unnecessarily grinding down a healthy tooth, but you are taking care of two needs at once.

Some patients still prefer the implant even in that case. They get an implant on one tooth and a crown on the other. Either is fine.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.