Tag Archives: dental bridge

Affordable Dentistry

My Mother’s Teeth are Just Falling Out

I took my mother in for a filling a couple of weeks ago. She is 87 years old. Today she called me and told me a tooth just fell out. I called her dentist and they want her to come in and they’ll do a dental bridge for her. I’m a bit concerned, though. They didn’t even seem to wonder why her tooth fell out. Will this keep happening? Is there an affordable way to help her?

Presley

Dear Presley,

elderly woman smiling

It is wonderful that you are doing your best for your mother like this. Like you, I am concerned about some of what I am hearing. I want to make sure I understand that you said her tooth just fell out. Is that right? For that to happen, it would mean your mother has very advanced periodontitis (gum disease). It would have to be as advanced as it gets. If this is the case, there should have been intervention quite some time ago. I don’t know what your mother’s dentist has been waiting for.

I don’t like the idea of a dental bridge if this is her situation. A bridge is made by suspending a false tooth between two dental crowns that are anchored to the adjacent teeth. This will put additional stress on those teeth, causing them to fail sooner.

I want you to take her to a different dentist and have her evaluated before moving forward. If it is periodontitis, as I suspect, she is going to lose all of her teeth. Ideally, you’d replace teeth with dental implants. However, she is 87 years old and you asked for an affordable dental solution. In her case, I would suggest extracting the teeth and getting her completely removable dentures.

Normally, I do not like to recommend removable dentures because of the bone resorption. However, at your mother’s age it will not have much of an impact on her.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

My dentist made me cry

I had the worst dental appointment.  I need to have several teeth removed.  My dentist said I need to have dental implants put in, but I just can’t afford it. My dentist essentially told me that if I cared about my teeth I’d get the implants because they are the best treatment. He made me feel stupid. He also hinted that I wouldn’t look as attractive. I’ll be honest, when I got home I broke down and cried. What woman wants to be less attractive? I just can’t afford it.

Cyndy- Bartlett, TN

Cyndy,

I’m having trouble  not getting angry at your dentist and I’ve not even met him. Let me just say to get it out before we discuss your case, that I believe he is being unethical and manipulative.

I really hope, but am doubting, that your dentist gave you all your options. Yes, dental implants are the ideal solution, but they’re the only option.  The last thing your dentist should be doing is making you feel guilty about needing a more affordable dental option. He certainly shouldn’t be making comments about your appearance.

If he was any good at his job, he could make your smile beautiful no matter what procedure you chose.

You could also look into dental bridges or removable partial dentures as very viable options to dental implants. If you feel like you can communicate with your dentist, I’d discuss those options with him. However, I would be more inclined to tell you to find a less manipulative dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert dentist Dr. Matt Roper.