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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Why Is My Bite Off with My New Implant Bridge?

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Man holding the side of his face after biting an appleMy new implant bridge replaced two upper left teeth. Biting on that side of my mouth feels weird, like my bite is off. I did not have the issue before I got the bridge. My dentist tried to correct my bite twice, and after that, she suggested that I need orthodontics. She said that she does Invisalign, and we can discuss it during my next appointment. I feel like my dentist is trying to sell me something that I do not need. I am not sure what to do about it. How should I answer my dentist? Thanks. Luke, Austin, TX

 

Luke

With or without a dental bridge, your upper and lower teeth should touch simultaneously when you bite. If the problem continues, you can develop TMJ disorder.

What Causes Bite Misalignment with a New Implant Bridge?

When your bite is off with a new implant bridge, two possible causes are:

  1. The dentist restored the implants incorrectly
  2. The implant dentist or surgeon placed the implants in the wrong place

Dental implants restored incorrectly

A dentist must correctly attach implant crowns, a bridge, or a denture to implants. Also, the dentist must ensure the new replacement teeth harmonize with your bite.

Dental implants in the wrong place

If a dentist and oral surgeon do not communicate closely, the surgeon may position the implants in a way that makes it challenging or impossible to place your bridge correctly. This problem occurs if the dentist does not give the oral surgeon a surgical guide for your mouth. A surgical guide is a template for your implants’ exact angle and position.

Schedule a Second Opinion

Please do not consider orthodontic treatment. Although your dentist may want you to get Invisalign, it does not seem that orthodontic treatment is the solution to your issue. We recommend getting a second opinion from an implant dentist with advanced training or who partners with an oral surgeon to place dental implants. The implant dentist will determine if the location of your implants, your bridge—or both—must be corrected to fix your bite.

Best wishes for a speedy resolution.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.

What about Costa Rica for dental implants?

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I have 5 missing teeth and I really want dental implants. I’ve spend a lot of time reading about partial dentures or a dental bridge, but if at all possible I want dental implants. If I get dental implants in the U.S. it will probably take years to pay for them. The thought of that makes me nervous. So I have been searching for places outside of the States to get implants. I mentioned Mexico to my dentist and he almost went berserk. So I started looking for other places. One of them is Costa Rica. I saw 2 or 3 websites with U.S.-trained dentists who graduated as dental implant specialists. I can’t ask my dentist about it anymore because I think I will get the same response I did the last time. He was highly insulted that I would consider going out of the country for implant surgery when he knows several outstanding surgeons locally. I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica so spending some extra time there for implants, as long as they are good quality, sounds like a win-win to me. Does your office have any reliable information on implants from Costa Rica? Thanks. Belford N.

Belford – There have been reports of patients from the U.S. who returned disappointed after receiving dental implants or cosmetic dentistry. Although the reports have not been verified, some of the patients claimed to be injured during dental treatment.

If a dentist claims to be trained in the U.S., find a way to verify that. Also note that the American Dental Association recognizes nine dental specialties, none of which is a dental implant specialist. Find out what training the dentist received, where it was received, and when. Then verify it.

Have you considered what you will do if something goes wrong during the implant placement. Will you extend your stay in Costa Rica? Will you return to Costa Rica for follow-up visits if you have complications with your dental implants? If the dentist doesn’t accept responsibility for any implant complications, what are your legal rights in another country, and how will you ensure they are protected?

The cost of dental implants is associated with quality implant fixtures, advanced diagnostic studies, and implant surgeons who meet strict U.S. guidelines. Will you find the same stringent requirements in Costa Rica? Are you willing to take the risk to save money?

Your research on dental implants from the U.S. shows that you are probably aware of financing or payment plants. Those options may not be a bad idea to help increase the chance of receiving successful dental implants and the support of local dental providers.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

 

My dental implant failed again

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I couldn’t be more frustrated that I am now. Last March (2014) I got 3 dental implants. In September of last year I had problems with one of them. The oral surgeon tried to save it but could not so it was extracted. We gave it 6 months and replaced it, but the same implant had to be removed 3 months ago. Now we are playing watch and wait but I am not sure why. Can I just go ahead and ask that the missing tooth be replaced with a dental bridge or should I continue to wait and see if I can get another implant? How long would I normally have to wait before the surgeon can tell if another implant will work? Mark H.

Mark – Your question can only be answered by getting a second opinion from a skilled implant dentist. Do you know why the implant failed? Was the failure due to the implant fixture, improper surgical placement, or some other reason?

An experienced implant dentist will examine your dental records, implant site, diagnostic studies, and medical history to determine the cause of the implant failure and whether or not it can be prevented in the future.

If you have healthy teeth on either side of the missing one, they can be prepared to accommodate a dental bridge. Keep in mind that the teeth that hold the dental bridge will need to be shaved down so that dental crowns can fit over them.

First, find out if there is good probability for you to receive a new, successful dental implant. Weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision on which treatment option you prefer.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.