I don’t know what to do. I’ve lost 40 pounds because I can’t eat. I have no teeth. I paid my entire savings to get implant overdentures. They hurt from the very beginning, but the doctor said that was normal and I just needed to let the healing take place. The healing time came and went and I still hurt. Then she said I just needed the dentures added. They did that, but they hurt too much to even wear them. The office insists everything is fine. What do I do? I feel like I’m being starved to death.
Mark
Dear Mark,
This is frustrating to me, but I’m sure not nearly as much as it is to you. Your dentist should be taking care of this. Unfortunately, they’re not. Because you’re starving, I’m going to recommend you see another dentist to try to find out what is going on.
The key when getting a second opinion is not to tell them who the dentist is. Instead, just tell them your symptoms and that it’s been that way from day one. My hope is that it will be something simple like needing an adjustment on your dentures.
If it’s not and it’s a matter of botched dental implants, he should be able to help you get a full refund. The only tricky part is that you can’t just replace them. You will have lost bone density as a result of having to switch them out. You’ll have to build it back up with bone grafting. Try to get your dentist to cover that procedure too because it will be necessary.
Why You Want to Follow through With Dental Implants
I know this has been a huge hassle for you. But, the fact that you’ve experienced what it’s like to not be able to eat, you’ll understand why this is so urgent.
When your teeth are removed or lost, your body reabsorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. This slowly shrinks your jawbone and is known clinically as facial collapse. This happens to patients who get dentures. Unfortunately, they eventually lose so much jawbone that their dentures have no support making them a denture cripple and completely unable to eat.
Getting dental implants prevents this. The root form of the implants (the part surgically placed) tricks your body into thinking you still need your jawbone. This protects you from facial collapse.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.