Existing Patients: (978) 454-9332 | New Patients: (877) 790-5172 |
Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

4 Facts about Dental Implants and Sinus Perforation

Posted on by .

Dental implants can be a lifelong solution for replacing missing teeth. But care must be taken to ensure precise placement and adequate bone support. Sometimes sinus perforation occurs during dental implant surgery. What can be done to prevent it? And what should you consider if it’s already happened to you?

1. Is Perforating Sinuses a Big Deal?

    • Some oral surgeons say perforation of your sinuses during dental implant placement isn’t a big deal. They say that if it happens, the site usually heals well and the patient is fine.
    • Other oral surgeons will mention cases where, after perforation, an infection from the sinus cavity spreads around the dental implant. Sometimes, chronic sinus infection results, making it difficult to keep the tissue around an implant healthy.
    • The issue of sinus perforation during dental implant placement also raises the question: If the dental implant pokes into the sinuses more than one or two millimeters, is it adequately supported by the jawbone? And will inadequate bone support by the bone contribute to dental implant complications or failure?

2. Dental Implant Surgery – Standard of Care

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Dental implants need enough bone to fuse to and remain stable.

High-quality implant surgery requires the surgeon to take x-rays. Most successful oral surgeons use three-dimensional x-rays to ensure there is enough bone density to support dental implants and maintain stability.

3D x-rays will also reveal your facial structure, nerves, and sinus cavities and assist in performing surgery with precision. 3D x-rays help anticipate the need for sinus lift, or sinus floor elevation, and bone grafting before dental implants are placed. A 2010 article in the Journal of Oral implantology reports that in one study of patients who received minimally invasive sinus lift surgery, there was a 97% implant success rate.

3. Have You Experienced Issues?

If you’ve received dental implants and are experiencing problems from sinus perforation, don’t ignore it. Your oral surgeon or implant dentist should communicate to you a clear plan to ensure the problem doesn’t get worse or result in dental implant failure. If you lack bone density to support dental implants, the solution will likely include a sinus lift, or sinus floor elevation, and bone grafting.

4. Consider a Second Opinion

After you speak with your dentist, we suggest that you consider scheduling an appointment for a second opinion. A dentist with advanced training and experience in implantology, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist can review your x-rays, and examine your implant site to determine the issues involved and recommend treatment.

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

3 Reasons a Denture Might Not Fit on Dental Implants

Posted on by .

Diagram of snap-on dentures which are secured by dental implants, for information on stabilizing your dentures from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Snap-on dentures

When dental implants are used to support dentures, the results can greatly improve your quality of life. Many common concerns about wearing dentures can be reduced or completely eliminated, including:

  • Difficulty speaking
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Loose dentures
  • Dentures that lift or fall out
  • Bone shrinkage and facial collapse

When Dental Implants Won’t Hold Your Prostheses

If your denture doesn’t fit properly onto dental implants, won’t snap onto them, or dislodges from them, there are several possible causes. Three of them are discussed below:

  • Dentures – It is possible that your prosthesis wasn’t correctly made. Before you receive dentures, impressions of your mouth are taken. Inaccurate impressions can result in poor fit. Additionally, incorrect locations of the attachments in the denture base can cause them not to fit correctly on the implants. And, depending on the age of your dentures, the attachments might be difficult to place, or they can be worn and need to be replaced.
  • Implants – The position and angle of your dental implants are crucial for your dentures to fit correctly. Proper planning is required for accurate placement. This includes a three-dimension CT scan to identify the best location for maximum support. Sufficient bone density is needed for your implants to remain stable.
  • Communication – Close communication is required between the implant surgeon and the restoring dentist to ensure precise placement and comfort. If clear instructions are not provided, either the implants or the denture can be incorrectly placed.

What Can You Do?

If you are experiencing problems with the fit of your denture and dental implants, speak with your dentist and implant surgeon. You can also consider scheduling a second opinion with an experienced implant dentist. He or she will examine your denture and implants to determine the reason for the poor fit.  Further diagnostic studies might be required to identify the cause of the problem and resolve it.

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

When I get dental implants, should I request an immediate denture?

Posted on by .

I’m going to have my remaining teeth extracted and get 6 dental implants put in. I need dentures and I am finding that there are more types of dentures than I knew about. It’s good in a way because I am hoping for something that will look half way like natural teeth and that won’t leave me walking around toothless. It is also a little scary because I want to be sure that I make the right choice for dentures. Can you give me information on an immediate denture? What is involved? Should I ask for an immediate denture for my implants? – Robin

Robin – An immediate denture is received on the same day that your natural teeth are extracted, or on the same day you receive dental implants. In advance of the extraction, the denture is made. The denture is crafted based on an impression of your mouth. It will be secured to your dental implants as a form of temporary tooth replacement.

What to Expect with Dental Implants and Immediate Dentures

Diagram of a dental implant bar placed in the bone with a denture hovering over it and ready to be secured to the implants.

Bar-retained implant overdentures

The advantages of an immediate denture are that it will look natural because it is based on impressions of your natural teeth. Of course, you can request a different look for your final prosthesis. Also, the dentures are placed immediately, so you don’t have to go without teeth for any period. Whether it’s a temporary denture or your permanent prosthesis, it will be immediately loaded on your dental implants.

If your immediate denture will be your permanent denture, it will cost more than conventional dentures because it will need to be adjusted as your jawbone shrinks after your teeth are extracted. The denture will need to be refit and relined. It is possible that you will need a new denture altogether. It is wise to receive dental implants because they slow the progression of jawbone shrinkage.

If you need a complete set of dentures, your molar teeth may be extracted before the dentures are made. This will give the extraction site time to heal, and it will help the denture fit better. Sometimes, implant overdentures are recommended, because they can be placed over your remaining natural teeth.

We recommend that you visit a dentist who is experienced in restoring dental implants with dentures and in cosmetic dentistry. The teeth of cosmetic dentures will look natural, and a cosmetic dentist will customize the dentures to match your preferences and facial features. He or she will also thoroughly explain your options for dentures, as well as which options will be most compatible with your needs.

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

Losing weight with dentures? 4 ways dental implants help

Posted on by .

My husband’s dentist recently recommended dental implants because has been struggling with bad dentures for the past 3 years. We have had many conversations with his dentist. I can’t count how many adjustments, readjustments, regular liners, and soft liners have been tried. No matter what his dentist does, either the dentures are too loose or too tight and causing irritation and sores on his gums. Either they slip out or hurt his gums so bad they bleed. He can’t eat right with the dentures so most of the time he either skips meals or eats very lightly. Sometimes he takes the dentures out just to eat. He has lost 30 pounds since he had the dentures and he is not a big guy to start with. What does our dentist need to do to get this right? Are dental implants really the answer? – Flo

Flo – Your husband should consider securing his dentures with dental implants.

How Dental Implants Stabilize Dentures

  • The implants are surgically placed in your jawbone.
  • During the healing period, the fixtures fuse to your bone.
  • Standard implants can be used, or you can choose snap-on dentures, which use two implants and are more affordable. If it’s in your budget, choose implant overdentures with four to six fixtures will provide maximum stability and help the prosthesis feel more like natural teeth.
  • The dentures will rest on the implants, instead of on your husband’s gums, so they will no longer irritate his gums or cause sores. When dentures are stabilized with dental implants, chewing efficiency will improve, so it will be much easier for your husband to eat with dentures.
Diagram of snap-on dentures which are secured by dental implants, for information on stabilizing your dentures from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Snap-on dentures

You can consider getting a second opinion. It can increase your comfort level in the dentist’s recommendation. Or it might help you determine that you need to switch dentists. Find an experienced implant dentist who is also skilled in cosmetic dentistry. Your husband will get cosmetic dentures that fit well and that are secured to quality implant fixtures. The change will finally give your husband a positive experience with dentures.

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

How long will it take for my dental implants to stop hurting?

Posted on by .

How long will it take for my dental implants to stop hurting? My dentist keeps telling me to give it more time. I got the implants in August to secure my dentures. They are tender overall but when I eat it’s totally uncomfortable. I’ve lost weight because of it. Most of the pain is on the top left side of my mouth. That helps because I usually chew on the right side anyway. It’s just the pressure from chewing. Sometimes it feels like it’s going into my sinuses. How much longer is it going to take before the pain goes away? Thanks Dinah

 

Dinah,

During several weeks after getting dental implants, pain and discomfort are normal. If you received your implants in August, by no means should you be feeling pain when you chew. Your dentist shouldn’t tell you to give it more time.

Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your implants to let you know exactly what’s going on, your dentist needs to take a closer look to identify the source of your discomfort. If he can’t figure it out, we have some suggestions.

When Implant Dentures Hurt While Eating

We suggest that you give your dentist another opportunity to address the issues. If you’re not satisfied with his efforts:

  • Schedule consultations with at least two, experienced implant dentists.
  • Don’t provide your dentist’s name.
  • Be specific about your symptoms, and when and where you feel the pain.
  • Let each dentist know when you received implants and that the pain occurred after receiving them.

Your implants and your bite (the way your denture teeth fit together) will be carefully checked. It’s possible that more diagnostic studies are needed.

The implant dentist will determine if your denture needs to be adjusted, or if the dental implants are causing your discomfort. If you decide to have the work completed by a new dentist, your dental records can be transferred. Ask your current dentist to give you at least a partial refund toward the corrections that need to be made.

 

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