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Question:
Tooth replacement options: I am 46 years old and my teeth are in very bad condition.
I have minor periodontal disease. I recently saw a dentist who said that pretty much all the teeth I have left need root canals.
They indicated that for approximately $40K I could have combination of root canals - crowns and implants in areas where I already have missing teeth. The cost is too much.
I've been considering asking for full dentures, but hear many negative things about fit and bone loss. I'm wondering what options there might be for someone in my situation.
Are total implants a possibility and if so are they very expensive? ...Visitor from IN
Answer:
You ask a lot of interesting questions and I will try to respond in kind.
First, your dentist is not out of line for cost with what is being considered.
There are ways to decrease cost by doing the treatment in phases. I call this "Upgradeable Dentistry".
The concept is to treat the teeth in a cost effective way and build on the treatment as the patient can accept more-either financially or emotionally.
If for example you need root canals, then perhaps the crowns can wait for awhile. If root canals and some crowns can be done, you wait on the implants.
By working with the patient to determine their readiness (financial readiness
as well as emotional readiness) a treatment plan can be developed around what can be done.
Dentistry doesn't have to be a static event. It can be a dynamic process where things can be done to positively improve a persons looks, smile, bite and as they can achieve more, we do more dentistry until we reach an end point that satisfies all of a patients desires.
Wisconsin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Richard Winter, DDS MAGD
Winter Dental Associates
5323 W. Hampton Avenue
Milwaukee Wisconsin WI 53218
(414) 464-9021
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