Dana L. Yeoman, DDS
Dentures and Implants
Have A Plan?
Site last published: 11/10/11
Have A Plan?
The lesson universally taught in Dental Universities is that decay, infection, tumors, cysts and other serious problems must be addressed first before any other concerns. This applies, for instance, where a patient would like elective veneers to straighten a smile, but refuses to have the fillings required to stop the decay in the molars. I once had a patient who only wanted to have cosmetic dentistry, and insisted that I ignore the greater evil of decay and periodontal disease. In spite of my description of the inevitable root canals and tooth loss, the patient remained unmoved. Faced with this dilemma, I chose not to treat this kind of patient at all. It is unethical to treat elective issues in the presence of disease.
Last week, a patient came to me for a second opinion after visiting a clinic whose ads promised to make an upper denture for $275. She was looking to replace her upper denture because it was loose. Surprisingly, the clinic had quoted $6,000 dollars to place implants in her upper jaw under her existing upper denture, rather than replace it. When she came to my office for standard x-rays, we discovered that this clinic had not diagnosed the abscesses and decaying crowns in her lower jaw. I asked if they had talked about fixing her natural teeth, and she said they had never mentioned it.
Think a moment on this proposed treatment. First, my patient has a denture nearly a decade old. It is worn out, loose and needs replacing. These implants are unnecessary if they would make her a new, reliable, custom-fitting denture.
Secondly, by the time she has suffered an abscess and her lower teeth have decayed out, her only option will be to get all her teeth pulled. She will have to go back to this clinic for more implants, costing several thousand dollars more, in addition to a new set of complete dentures. The money this clinic would receive for these implants is more than if she were to get her natural teeth cleaned and filled, and a new upper denture made to chew against them.
This clinic was failing to offer treatment for her most basic needs. She was being given a poor and arguably unethical dentistry solution that will almost certainly guarantee having to return again for more expensive treatment. She felt like she had been completely taken in by the promise of cheap dentures.
Be involved in your dental care. When going to a dentist, it is imperative that you consider all of the following issues.
Dana L. Yeoman, D.D.S.
Second Smile Denture Care
3301 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661-325-1263
The lesson universally taught in Dental Universities is that decay, infection, tumors, cysts and other serious problems must be addressed first before any other concerns. This applies, for instance, where a patient would like elective veneers to straighten a smile, but refuses to have the fillings required to stop the decay in the molars. I once had a patient who only wanted to have cosmetic dentistry, and insisted that I ignore the greater evil of decay and periodontal disease. In spite of my description of the inevitable root canals and tooth loss, the patient remained unmoved. Faced with this dilemma, I chose not to treat this kind of patient at all. It is unethical to treat elective issues in the presence of disease.
Last week, a patient came to me for a second opinion after visiting a clinic whose ads promised to make an upper denture for $275. She was looking to replace her upper denture because it was loose. Surprisingly, the clinic had quoted $6,000 dollars to place implants in her upper jaw under her existing upper denture, rather than replace it. When she came to my office for standard x-rays, we discovered that this clinic had not diagnosed the abscesses and decaying crowns in her lower jaw. I asked if they had talked about fixing her natural teeth, and she said they had never mentioned it.
Think a moment on this proposed treatment. First, my patient has a denture nearly a decade old. It is worn out, loose and needs replacing. These implants are unnecessary if they would make her a new, reliable, custom-fitting denture.
Secondly, by the time she has suffered an abscess and her lower teeth have decayed out, her only option will be to get all her teeth pulled. She will have to go back to this clinic for more implants, costing several thousand dollars more, in addition to a new set of complete dentures. The money this clinic would receive for these implants is more than if she were to get her natural teeth cleaned and filled, and a new upper denture made to chew against them.
This clinic was failing to offer treatment for her most basic needs. She was being given a poor and arguably unethical dentistry solution that will almost certainly guarantee having to return again for more expensive treatment. She felt like she had been completely taken in by the promise of cheap dentures.
Be involved in your dental care. When going to a dentist, it is imperative that you consider all of the following issues.
- Make sure your dentist always has updated x-rays when giving a diagnosis. Decay, bone tumors, cysts, abscesses, and other hidden problems are easily seen and diagnosed with x-rays.
- Ask for a complete oral exam and cancer screening. Early detection of cancer and periodontal disease is essential for maximum treatment.
- Always make sure that the dentist presents a comprehensive treatment plan that includes the entire mouth. Dentistry should be done in planned phases, not one tooth at a time.
- Be suspicious of a treatment plan where the only work to be done is implants. Like this patient, it is a fast way to lose your money and get nowhere.
Dana L. Yeoman, D.D.S.
Second Smile Denture Care
3301 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661-325-1263