Dentaltown October 2015 - (Page 70)

prosthodontics feature THE BENEFITS of Mini Dental Implants by Eric Hanson, DDS As dentists, almost all of us have encountered the patient who comes to our practice to get a new denture because the old one "just doesn't fit." This usually requires a few more questions to get an accurate idea of exactly what the patient means, but what it usually boils down to is this: the lower denture floats around when eating, gets food under it, creates sore spots, and is generally a nuisance. Upper dentures rarely, in our experience, have these same issues. Lower dentures almost universally do. What do you do when this patient comes in your door? Making a new denture may or may not improve things, and a careful evaluation of the existing denture and the patient's oral condition is warranted as the first step in deciding on a solution. During this evaluation, you may discover that the patient has worn a denture successfully in the past and has recently lost weight and now says it is "loose." Or you may fi nd out the denture was originally an immediate denture that had never been relined and now, after months or years of osseous resorption, the denture is indeed very loose. In these cases, a new denture alone may improve things. Otherwise, simply making a new denture will result in frustration on your part and the patient's. It is important to take the time to recognize whether making that new denture is the only procedure needed to solve the patient's problem. One thing is universal, however, and that is this: Securing the denture with dental implants will change your patient's life for the better, and whether or not you currently provide this service in your practice, letting the patient know it is an option is part of your obligation as his or her dentist. There are few procedures we offer that are truly life-changing, but helping a patient return from the land of the dental cripple is one of them. 70 OCTOBER 2015 // dentaltown.com Providing a service to denture-wearing patients that will eliminate the majority of their problems and allow them to return to a normal diet is a blessing most of them want-especially if it can be done at an affordable fee. Denture retention options The dental cripple (as we will refer to this patient) has many options. One option is to do nothing, of course. There are millions, perhaps many hundreds of millions of people worldwide who have few or no teeth and manage to ingest enough calories to survive. Teeth are not necessary for survival. However, in North America, the vast majority of people not only want to survive, but they also want to eat what they consider to be a normal diet and to look good doing it. The second option is denture adhesive, a multibillion-dollar industry. Most denture wearers will also tell you they would like to live without the mess and inconvenience of powder or paste and without the embarrassing possibility of coughing out a denture at a family party. Dental implants are the third option listed here, but really should be the fi rst option presented to patients because almost every edentulous patient can have his or her life improved with them. Implants can be used to support or retain a denture, or to replace it. Denture replacement is an important option that involves several dental implants per arch and a fi xed prosthesis to be fabricated. This should be presented to patients when biological limits allow. Denture replacement is beyond the scope of this article, but several overdenture systems are available that will be outlined below. The advantages and disadvantages of each will be presented, based on our personal observations. Continued on p. 72 http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown October 2015

On Dentaltown.com
Howard Speaks: Don’t Go it Alone
Professional Courtesy: Great Patient Relationships? F.U.!
Continuing Education Update
Industry News
All on Four’d Out
A Direct Hit to the Jaw: Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Osteoporosis and Cancer Patients
Five Components to Team Synergy
Practice Solutions: Clear-Aligner Therapy
In Focus: Microphotography using the Dental Operative Microscope
Anesthesia Safety
The Practice that Perseverance Built
What Kind of Payment Plans to Offer?
Are You Providing Five-Star Service?
Am I Being Too Conservative?
You Should Know: Healthy Grid
The Benefi ts of Mini Dental Implants
Denture Stabilization with Small- Diameter Implants
Independence Day
Post-Treatment Management of Orthodontic Patients
How to Track True Treatment Acceptance
CAD/CAM as a Marketing Tool
New Products
Practice Solutions: Voco
Poll
Surgical Crown Lengthening
Product Profi le: Umbie
And Sealants for All
Ad Index
Human Herpesvirus Infections and What They Mean for Dentists
Quick, Conservative and Highly Esthetic Treatment Planning for Severe Anterior Tooth Wear
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown October 2015