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Video: Implants for Congenitally Missing Teeth
Tooth Replacement Choices
Question:
Missing Teeth: I was told at the age of 9 that I would have to have most of my permanent teeth removed.
Now I am 30 and am only left with 9 teeth in my mouth.
I recently went to a dentist to see if I could get implants and I was told that there would be no way possible to get implants and that the bone in my mouth would be incapable of handling implants.
I have lived with this problem all of my life and it has been very hard to live my life without teeth. Being teased as a child for being without teeth up until my high school years has been very hard and I don't want having dentures as my last resort.
I would love to open up my mouth one day and be able to smile without embarrassment. ... Visitor from TX
Answer:
I cannot guess what your problems are without seeing you and your x-rays.
I would not stop at one opinion, so would suggest that you look for a dental school to take a multidisciplinary approach to your problems. There is a dental school, Baylor, in Dallas and another in San Antonio. Even though it is further away, I would prefer the San Antonio school.
I would think that bone grafting and placement of some implants should at least support a rim of teeth that would be like a denture, but would snap into the implants for stability and comfort.
I read an interesting article recently about a dentist in Dallas who has a systemic disease, Ectodermal Dysplasia, and was missing multiple teeth. She seems to be an advocate for people with missing teeth and is on the Board of Directors for the Friends of The National Institutes for Dental and Craniofacial Research (www.fnidcr.org or 202-223-0667). Her name is Sarah Tevis, DDS. Maybe you could get together with her and get some more guidance.
Corinne Scalzitti, DMD, MAGD
Austin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
3900 RR 620 South
Austin, Texas TX 78738
(512) 263-3330
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