dentures Archives - Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist

Why Is My Dentist Giving Me Dentures With Dental Implants?

Posted on May 28, 2025 by writeradmin.

I have had ugly dentures for years. My neighbor has dental implants and they look fantastic. I told my dentist and he said I could get dental implants but I’d need another procedure called bone grafting. Then, we’ll do the implants. After that has time to heal, then he’ll place dentures. I thought I was trying to get away from dentures to get a pretty smile. When I told him that, he said my friend probably has dentures too because that it what you use with dental implants. Is that true? If so, how do I get pretty ones?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I’m glad you wrote. When you’re getting an entire set of dental implants, the standard is to anchor dentures to them. There is another option of getting an individual crown on each tooth. However, that is prohibitively expensive for most people. But, don’t worry, the dentures can be beautiful. In fact, your previous dentures could have been beautiful, too. How your smile looks depends on the cosmetic skill of the dentist not whether or not they are dentures or crowns.

If this is the same dentist who did your original dentures, then you won’t like the next ones either. In that case, I would get your implants done with someone else. You’ll want someone with post-doctoral training placing dental implants, as well as in cosmetic dentistry.

You can start by finding an expert in dental implants and then looking at their cosmetic skills. Or, you can flip it around. The best cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited. They are in the top 1-3% in world when it comes to creating beautiful smiles. As for dental implants, if you look at Dr. Rothwell’s bio, you get an idea of what type of training you’re looking for there.

Benefits of Dental Implants

You may now be wondering if it is worth the cost of getting bone grafting done and dental implants if you can just pretty dentures made. It really is. I don’t know if your dentist warned you about the serious downside of dentures when you first got them, but the biggest issue you will face is facial collapse.

When your teeth were first removed, your body recognized that and began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body, where they will be more useful. This is an amazingly efficient system in resource allotment. However, as the minerals are moved elsewhere, your jawbone begins to shrink. Eventually, there will no longer be enough of your jawbone left to even keep your dentures in place, leaving you a denture cripple and unable to eat solid foods.

Getting dental implants signals to your body that you still have teeth and it will leave your jawbone completely intact, preventing facial collapse. Plus, even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Once you have your dentures anchored to your implants, you will be able to eat anything you want.

This blog is brought to you Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Preventing Facial Collapse When You Have to Extract All Your Teeth

Posted on November 20, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have recently been diagnosed with a calcium deficiency. My dentist is suggesting that I extract all of my teeth at once and get dentures so that I don’t have to keep coming back a little at a time to extract them. I’ve been doing some research on dentures and I am a bit terrified now. I’m only 32 years old, but if I understand what I’ve read, I could be unable to even keep in dentures in as little time as ten years because of a condition known as facial collapse. Is this true? Is there any solution to my problem? If not, how will I eat?

Cora

Dear Cora,

The results of facial collapse.

I am sorry about your calcium deficiency. However, I have some serious objections to your dentist’s solution. If I understand you correctly, you didn’t develop your calcium deficiency until adulthood. Is that correct? If so, it would have no impact on your teeth. The only way a calcium deficiency could impact your adult teeth is if it happened when they were still developing. You are well past that being an issue.

When you have a calcium deficiency in adulthood, it does cause problems, though. I would look out for cramps, nerve problems, or osteoporosis. These are all serious, so I would not ignore them.

Is it possible that your teeth are often in need of work? That question is not a statement of judgment. There are many people who take excellent care of their teeth, but who have genes that work against them. If that is the case, some dentists are more interested in saving teeth than others. Working on problem teeth takes a lot more work than simply extracting them. It could be your dentist is not that interested in saving teeth. My suggestion to you is to get a second opinion on the state of your teeth. I sincerely doubt that you need to extract them.

Preventing Facial Collapse with Dentures

Because there are other people reading thing that may need dentures, I want to make sure there is a way to avoid facial collapse. The key is to get implant supported dentures with dental implants. The implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots, which signals to your body that you still need your jawbone to keep them in place. There will be no facial collapse.

Two things to be aware of. First, dental implants are an advanced dental procedure. It really requires a dentist with post-doctoral training in placing them. Second, you will also want a dentist who is a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist. Gone of the days when dentures look like fake teeth, but you need an excellent cosmetic dentist to make them beautiful. I would look for an AACD accredited dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Discouraged By Teeth

Posted on September 26, 2024 by writeradmin.

I need some advice. I did not get to go to the dentist growing up. My parents were quite poor. Don’t get me wrong, they did their best and made sure we had food, clothing, and an education. Dentistry was just one thing they couldn’t do. When I finished college and got a job, it had dental insurance. I was so excited. However, since then, it has been non-stop work on my teeth. Whenever one gets fixed another one falls apart. I assure you I brush twice a day and use floss once a day. I even go to the dentist every six months even though every appointment terrifies me and feels like torture. None of it seems to help. Now my dentist says it is pointless. He’s suggesting that I just extract all of my teeth and get dentures. I’m only 27! I really don’t want to look like a grandma. I’ve been crying since my appointment. I’m discouraged by my teeth, but I’m not ready to give them up completely. Is there any other option for me?

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

I would not give up on your teeth yet. Dentists have different tolerances levels off the efforts they will put in to save teeth. Some dentists will pull out all the stops to save your teeth. Others prefer to just pull the teeth out. Then, you have the dentists who assume if your teeth have a lot of problems it means you don’t care about them and don’t take care of them. I think those dentists do their patients a huge disservice. Here’s why.

Brushing and going to the dentist are not the only factors in healthy teeth. While, yes, there is a genetics issue as well, I have found that most patients (and too many dentists) do not realize that snacking is a huge factor in tooth decay. One of the biggest allies you have in the battle against decay is your saliva, which has minerals specifically designed to fight bacteria. If you are a frequent snacker, that means there is not enough time for your saliva to do it’s job effectively because it is spending too much time dealing with the snacks.

While you are doing great with your oral hygiene, see if cutting back on your between meal snacks will help. I’m also going to suggest you find a different dentist. Any dentist who suggests to a 27 year old that they should get removable dentures is not the best dentist in my book. Within ten our so years, facial collapse will kick in and you’ll no longer have enough jawbone left to even retain your dentures.

I suggest you first get a second opinion on these teeth. Chances are very good they can be saved, especially as diligent as you have been. If on the off chance they cannot, don’t panic, but don’t get removable dentures. Instead, I would get implant supported dentures. These are the closest to having healthy, natural teeth in your mouth. They’re completely secure and you will not have to worry about facial collapse. If you get them done by an expert cosmetic dentist, they will also be beautiful.

One other thing. There is no reason in the world you should be suffering through dental appointments. As I think you need a different dentist anyway, I would like to suggest you see a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication that will give you a pain-free/anxiety-free appointment.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Should I Extract My Last Two Upper Teeth?

Posted on April 23, 2024 by writeradmin.

I only have two teeth left on my upper arch. They are my two front teeth. I’ve been using partial dentures for the remainder of my teeth, but it is super uncomfortable and I rarely wear them. I can eat most things without the partials with just those two front teeth. I only put them in if I’m eating something that requires grinding, like steak. I’ve been to four dentists and they’ve all said different things, but it boils down to they keep saying it is up to me. I’ve found that their advice seems to revolve around what procedure THEY offer. So, I picked a dentist in a totally different part of the country from me so I’d get impartial advice because I can’t come to your office (sorry). Here’s my question. Would I be better off extracting my last two upper teeth and getting a full denture or is this the best I can do?

Caden

Dear Caden,

Before I answer, bear in mind that I have not examined you or seen any x-rays. Because of that, specifics would be dangerous. However, I can give you some generalities that will be helpful.

Dental Implants

If you are looking for the absolute best solution, it would be to get dental implants and anchor the partial dentures to them. You will have secure teeth that feel like having healthy, natural teeth in your mouth. I suspect that you will need bone grafting done before this is possible. When your teeth are extracted, your body immediately begins to resorb the minerals in the jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body where they will be more useful. That bone structure is necessary in order to retain the dental implants. However, if you can afford it, getting dental implants to replace those teeth would be the ideal.

If you cannot afford to get those than my recommendation would be to go ahead and extract the two remaining teeth in order to get complete removable dentures on your upper arch. These are held in by suction, so the bone is not as essential as it is for your lower teeth. While your two front teeth are healthy right now, the stress that is being placed on them both, from being your main source of eating, as well as from the partials, makes me think you won’t have them long anyway.

You lower teeth would be a completely different story. As the minerals in that jawbone are lost, your jawbone shrinks. Eventually, you will not have enough bone left in your jawbone to even retain your dentures, making you a dental cripple. This is known as facial collapse in dental circles. The only thing to prevent that would be implant supported dentures.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Dentist or Oral Surgeon for Dentures

Posted on June 30, 2022 by writeradmin.

I am 68 years old and always had a terrible fear of the dentist because of a traumatic experience in my teen years. Because of that, my teeth are an absolute mess and need to come out. I’m not sure I know how to approach this. If you need dentures, do you go to a dentist or an oral surgeon to remove the remaining teeth?

Fred

Dear Fred,

I would look for a dentist who can do both the surgical removal of your teeth as well as the dentures. This will give you the best outcome. I’m going to also suggest, though it is completely up to you, that you look into snap-on dentures. This gives you two dental implants that can anchor your dentures a little bit to your jaw. This way you won’t have to worry about them slipping around. Obviously, the more dental implants the better and more secure they are, but two is enough to keep them in.

Because of the dental anxiety you mentioned, I think when you look for the dentist to do this, you find one who offers oral conscious sedation. This is will give you a pain-free and anxiety-free procedure. It is administered by a pill but is quite strong. In fact, some people have dubbed it sleep dentistry because you can sleep through the entire procedure. I honestly wish someone had told you about sedation dentistry earlier because it could have helped you with your fear of the dentist and saved your teeth. Either way, at least you can go to the dentist this time knowing it will not be the horrible traumatic experience you had in the past.

One last thing to check before committing. You are still young and I want you to have a smile you are proud of. Ask to see some of their “after” pictures of dentures they’ve done. You want a dentist who can create a beautiful smile for you. These days, dentures can look natural and beautiful so don’t settle for someone who is going to make you fake looking teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can I Get Dental Implants After Twelve Years in Dentures?

Posted on October 16, 2021 by writeradmin.

I’ve never been able to afford good anything and that included my dental work. When I lost my teeth, I could only get dentures. It was humiliating but it was all I could do. Now it is twelve years later and I have just come into a lot of money. I mean a LOT. I have always hated these dentures. Is it too late for me to get dental implants?

Callie

Dear Callie,

First, congratulations on your windfall! It says a lot that the first thing you are trying to do with your money is to invest in your health. Now to answer your question. Technically, it is never too late to get dental implants. But, (isn’t there always a but?) the length of time you’ve been wearing dentures will mean that you may need an additional procedure before proceeding.

When your teeth were removed, your body began a process of resorption. Recognizing you no longer have teeth, your body begins to take the minerals that were in your jawbone supporting your teeth to use elsewhere in your body. This is in order to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources. Somewhere between ten and fifteen years, depending on the speed of the resorption, you may no longer have enough bone to support your dentures. This process is called facial collapse in dental ciricles (pictured left). In addition to the problems it causes with your dentures, it will age your appearance by decades.

In order to retain your new dental implants, you will need that bone back. The good news is there is a procedure that can help you get that structure back, known as bone grafting. Once you’ve done that, after a period of healing, you will be ready to get those implants!

The important thing for you is to find a dentist with post-doctoral training in dental implants. It is an advanced procedure and you don’t want just any dentist. Then, once the dental implants have had time to integrate with your bone, your dentist can anchor a new set of dentures to them. These are known as implant overdentures. Unlike the dentures you’ve had for the last decade, these will be completely secure. You will find your quality of life goes up significantly, including your ability to eat. Even the best fitting removable dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. That will no longer be true.

I want to mention one other consideration. Dentures can be beautiful, but you will need an expert cosmetic dentist to do that. After you make a list of qualified dentists with dental implant training, I would consider looking at their ability to provide beautiful results. The best cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited, so I’d start there.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Is there a Soft Denture?

Posted on November 14, 2020 by writeradmin.

I have a denture and I am especially struggling with the upper denture. The plate on my upper palette hurts and it makes me gag quite a bit. Is there such a thing as a soft denture? I think that would make things easier to tolerate.

Daisy

Dear Daisy,

I’m sorry you are struggling with your dentures. You are not alone in that, in all honesty. While there isn’t such a thing as a soft denture, there are soft linings. Unfortunately, this will not help with the situation you are facing. They can give some patients who have a bony ridge some gentle relief. However, they are more expensive and wear out more quickly. Additionally, the line won’t do anything about the palette issues.

I have often found patients with a strong gag reflex do better with implant overdentures than with removable dentures. These take your denture and anchor it to four to six dental implants. Because it is anchored to the implants, there is no need for the dental plate.

I’m going to suggest you get them on your bottom arch as well. It’s actually more important to have implants on the bottom than the top. This is because while the top is held in by suction, the bottom simply rests on your lower jaw bone. Here is the problem with that. When your teeth were removed for dentures, your body recognized that. In an effort to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources, it begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere.

The longer you are in removable dentures, the more your jawbone shrinks. Eventually, there won’t be enough jawbone for you to keep your dentures in place. This is known as facial collapse. Having the implants placed serves as prosthetic tooth roots, helping your body to realize the jawbone is still necessary to keep them in place.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can I Have a Pretty Smile After 30 Years

Posted on September 16, 2020 by writeradmin.

I’ve had dentures for a little over 30 years. I’ve never had a pretty smile with dentures and wondered if it is too late for me to get dental implants? There is someone I know who has them and they seem to be prettier.

Avalon

Dear Avalon,

It is absolutely possible to get a beautiful smile, even after 30 years in Dentures. You should be aware that there are a few steps to make this happen. First, when you have been in removable dentures as long as you have, then it is long enough for you to have a significant amount of bone loss leading to facial collapse. I’m guessing you’ve found it hard to keep them in recently, even with denture adhesives.

This is because when your teeth were first removed, your body recognized that and immediately began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body where it perceived they’d be more useful. Eventually, there is no longer enough bone to even retain your dentures.

Your first step is going to be to have some bone grafting done in order to build back up that missing bone structure. Once that is done you can then get your dental implants.

Implant Supported Dentures

Once your bone grafting is healed, you can then have the implant overdentures placed. The more you have, the more secure your bite and the more you will preserve bone structure. Generally, patients place between four to eight dental implants. Once the bone has had a chance to integrate with the implants, then you’ll be ready to have a denture anchored to them.

The key to your dentures looking both natural and beautiful is to have a skilled cosmetic dentist to create them. There are two places you can look to find skilled cosmetic dentists. The first place is mynewsmile.com. This site is run by a retired cosmetic dentist who prescreens anyone who wants to be listed for both their technical knowledge and skill as well as their artistry.

A second place to check would be on aacd.com. This is the website for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They also have a “find a cosmetic dentist” link. However, you need to make certain you check that you’re looking for an accredited dentist. Any dentist can pay to be a member. AACD accredited dentists have been through rigorous testing. Either they or a dentist listed on the previous site I mentioned will provide you with a stunning smile.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

When You Can’t Keep Dentures In

Posted on May 30, 2020 by writeradmin.

What do you do if your dentures no longer stay in? I’ve had my dentures for 23 years. The ridge they are usually on is no longer there. Is there anything I can do to keep them in?

Mary Anne

Dear Mary Anne,

You are dealing with the fallout from facial collapse. When your teeth were removed, your body began to resorb the minerals in your body as a means of being as efficient as possible with its resources. It recognized you no longer have teeth roots in your jaw. The jawbone is there to retain and stabilize the roots. Without the roots, your body thinks, “Hey! Those minerals would be really helpful at another part of your body that still needs it.”

While great for body efficiency, it puts you in a horrible position. You no longer have enough jawbone left to keep your dentures in. This is known in dental circles as facial collapse. When that happens, it makes it impossible for you to have a normal functioning life. The good news is, there is a solution.

The first thing you’ll need to do is have some bone grafting done. This is an outpatient surgical procedure that can use either natural or synthetic bone. Once that is healed, you have two choices.

After Bone Grafting

From there, you can either get new dentures made with your shiny new ridge for your jawbone and go about your merry way. Just be aware that the whole cycle of bone resorption will start again. Eventually, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to keep your dentures in and you’ll need bone grafting again.

A second option is to have dental implants placed for implant-supported dentures. The most important benefit to this is the implants signal to your brain that you still have “teeth” there and they will leave the minerals from your jawbone intact. This protects you from facial collapse.

Another benefit is your dentures will be completely secure. You will not have to worry about them slipping. You also will find your chewing capacity increases significantly. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by at least 50%. Dental implants help you get your chompers back. You will once again be able to eat whatever you want to.

Know upfront that dental implants require surgery and will cost more than just replacing your dentures.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Dental Implants and Gum Disease

Posted on December 26, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’m losing my teeth because of gum disease. I’d hear that dental implants were the best tooth replacement. I want to get those and have a beautiful smile again, but my dentist said I can’t. I don’t understand. You’d think the best replacement would be a good idea. What’s up?

Kate M.

Dear Kate,

It’s fantastic that you want the best tooth replacement possible. THat will be great for you when you’re able to get dental implants. While you have gum disease, it won’t be possible though. Here’s why. If you think about the fact that the gum disease caused you to lose your teeth, it means it will do the same to the implants that are prosthetic tooth roots.

That doesn’t mean you can never get dental implants. It just means you’ll have to treat your gum disease first. Then when your gums are healthy, you will be a good candidate.

In the meantime, your dentist can give you some temporary tooth replacements. The two of you can get to work attacking that gum disease and getting yourself ready for the best.

If it takes a while to get the gum disease under control you may need to have some bone grafting done to build back up the bone structure enough to support the implants.

Why Dental Implants are the Best

The number one reason is it can prevent facial collapse if you have regular oral hygiene. The longer your teeth are gone, the more bone structure you’ll lose. This is known as facial collapse. But, with implants, your body will think your natural teeth are still there and leave the bone in place.

The second reason is the security. Implants are permanent and very secure. They’re like having healthy natural teeth back in your mouth again.

Finally, they provide a much higher standard of living. You can eat and drink as normal. Plus, upkeep is easy. You brush and floss as you normally would.

Just be aware, if you don’t keep up with your oral health, the gum disease can and will return causing the dental implants to fail.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

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