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The Choy of Sam |
| Sam Choy’s philosophy about cooking is simple:
Make it fun! |
The Final Journey |
| With the help of hospice, death can be a peaceful, dignified, even joyful experience. |
COLUMN:
Dentures Versus Implants: Something to Chew
Periodontitis (gum disease) and erosion of the natural tooth structure are among the common dental concerns that arise as we age. If not treated properly, they can lead to a host of other problems, including tooth loss.
Most of us don’t realize how much our overall health can be affected when teeth are lost. Imagine a diet that consists only of soft foods. Nutritional options are severely limited when we can’t consume the lean meats, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables that are good for us.
Not all patients are ideal candidates for restorative work or implants; the condition of their teeth and gums must be optimal. At times, dentures are the only option. The good news is thanks to advances in porcelain materials, they can look very natural. Another benefit of dentures is cost; they can start at just $500 for a full set (consult your dentist for an exact figure).
Good fit and good bone height ensuring minimum movement of the denture are essential. Because the structure of the mouth is constantly changing, many seniors who wear dentures complain about poor fit and their inability to chew certain foods such as nuts, sandwiches and raw vegetables.
A secure, comfortable fit can be difficult to achieve because the hard surface of the denture rubs against soft, delicate gum tissue. The bone support under the denture often is weak or nonexistent, causing the denture to rely only on gum tissue for most of its support. When wearers bite down, it’s like chewing with a sponge rather than a strong, hard surface.
The denture also moves when the person chews, causing sores to develop on the gum tissue under it. People also worry that their dentures will fall out when they eat or speak. Because of all this, many patients choose not to wear their dentures unless they’re going out in public.
Dental implants are a revolutionary way to rejuvenate the mouth and allow patients to eat what they want rather than being restricted only to foods they are able to chew. Implants are titanium posts that are embedded directly into the bone. A restoration such as a crown, bridge or denture is precision fitted on top to give it a firm, stable foundation, which translates to a hard, strong surface to bite and grind food.
You should be aware that restorative work does not last forever. It is designed to replace enamel, and just as the enamel of natural teeth can erode, so can restorations wear down without proper maintenance.
Also, once you’ve had restorations you may require additional work over the years due to natural decay and nerve-related issues. Restorative work will not stop bone loss; in fact, some high blood pressure medications or conditions such as diabetes can accelerate the process. Finally, restorations can be expensive; the price of full-mouth rehabilitation can run well into five figures.
Other
than what’s been discussed, however, there are few downsides.
Prevention remains the key to keeping your natural teeth for as long
as possible.
Dr. Wynn Okuda is one of only 280 dentists worldwide to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). He also is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His phone number is 734-1099. This column provides general medical information only; it is not intended to replace recommendations you would receive from your dentist after undergoing a thorough physical examination.