Archive for Dentures

Question about dental implants: My dentures are loose and I can’t eat or speak…what are my options? Are there any Tulsa dentists who can help?

// September 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // David Wong, DDS, Dentures, Patient questions finally answered!, Periodontal Surgery

DENTAL IMPLANTS!!!  The biggest complaint with dentures is that they are loose, uncomfortable, even embarrassing.  While the upper denture usually fits well, the lower denture is the cause of most of the complaints.  About 1 in 5 denture wearers actually think they eat better WITHOUT their denture…How surprising is that.  Besides the discomfort and lack of function, people with dentures also continue to lose valuable bone volume in their jaws, leading to more wrinkles like Marionette lines, jowls, “witch’s chins”, and thinner looking lips. Most patients with dentures turn to “dental implants” to help them stabilize their loose dentures.  By inserting these safe, proven, and effective titanium implants into the jaws, these new solid anchors help hold the denture in place…allowing people to eat again with confidence.  Not only that, no more embarrassing social situation while talking, and speak often improves too!  As far as Tulsa dentists go, most patients will find a dentist like an oral surgeon or periodontist to place the dental implants, while a general dentist will normally make the new denture.  For more information, patients can check out local periodontist, Dr. David Wong, at his website, http://www.tulsagums.com

ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS SAFE?

// August 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // David Wong, DDS, Dental Implants, Dentures, Just for Patients

In a word…YES!

1) Dental implants are VERY safe, biocompatible, and most of all… THEY WORK!
2) Dental implants (made of titanium) carry a 94-99% success rate. That’s better than any titanium hip, knee, or shoulder…
3) Dental implants last longer than hip and knee replacements. They’re not called the “30 year restoration” for nothing!
4) Dental implants carry only about a 1% infection rate
5) Most dental implants carry a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty…BUT ask your dentist or surgeon about this first!
6) General dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists are the typical dentists who place dental implants, BUT do your research. Ask about Items 1-5 above when you’re discussing your treatment with your dentist.

The Thing About Dentures…

// August 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Dentures, Oral Cancer

Most Denture Patients Don’t Know this BUT…
1) Denture patients are on more medications than patients with natural teeth due to poorer nutrition
2) Denture patients have more GI disorders…also due to poorer nutrition
3) Denture glue (adhesive, paste, etc…) is swallowed by denture patients on a daily basis…and that’s not healthy!
4) Denture patients lose more bone than patients with natural teeth b/c of the lack of roots to “fool” the bone into staying around
5) Denture patients have more wrinkles because their face gets shortened over time
6) Denture patients are more likely to swallow their food whole rather than properly chewing first…this could lead to a choking hazard, but at the very least it causes poor digestion of food
7) 99% of Denture patients don’t see a dentist! However, this could be important because dentists do things for you like an oral cancer screening which is meant to help detect problems before they really become problems
8) About 20-25% of patients actually eat better WITHOUT their denture! How crazy is that?
9) Wearing a denture over a long period of time CAN lead to permanent numbness of the lower lip due to severe bone loss in the lower jaw bone.