Dental Implants and Diabetes?
I lost a tooth and need to replace it. I asked my dentist about a dental implant. He hinted that because I have diabetes, I may not be the best candidate for it. I guess that means my best option is a dental bridge, but was hoping to avoid this. Is there any way for a diabetic to get a dental implant with some special procedures?
Carl
Dear Carl,
I am glad you wrote. A dental implant is a great choice for a tooth replacement. Having diabetes does not mean that you cannot have a dental implant, but there are greater risks. You won’t need any extra procedures in order to get it, but it will be important that you have extra diagnostics and careful care and observation throughout the procedure.
You will want to make sure you have someone with a high level of expertise and training in dental implants do your procedure. Dental school is not enough. You want them to have post-doctoral training in placing them as well of a success rate of at least 95%.
The fact that your dentist was steering you away from implants tells me that he is not as comfortable. Do not pressure him into it. This is an advanced procedure and you have more risk factors than most. You do not want him in over his head and you ending up with a dental implant horror story.
It is totally acceptable to go to another dentist to have the implant done, while your family dentist still oversees your normal dental care. If the dentist who you decide on sends you to an oral surgeon for the placement, it is extremely important that your implant dentist determines the placement and not the surgeon. Don’t do it the other way around.
I hope this helps. Don’t short cut the diagnostics.
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Dentist Lied to Me About Porcelain Veneers
I went to a dentist to get porcelain veneers. It’s not my normal dentist who said he doesn’t do a lot of cosmetic dentistry and I’d be better off with someone else for this procedure. I appreciated his honesty. If only all dentists were as honest. The dentist I went to told me he was giving me porcelain veneers. I have texts and emails to that effect. I should have been suspicious when he ground down my teeth and gave me temporary “veneers.” Unfortunately, I continued to trust him. I had two teeth that had already had root canals. One of them ended up getting infected after my procedure. It started bothering me a few days after it was placed, which the dentist assured me was normal and would rectify itself. The pain became so intense that I ended up in the hospital and they had to extract the tooth in order to save my life. The infection had spread and was close to my brain. The hospital also told me that I did not have veneers but crowns. I looked at my texts again. They definitely said veneers. I also looked at their website, which does explain the difference between crowns and veneers. I went to see another dentist after this and he said they are definitely crowns and that the dentist over prepared my teeth, which is why I’m having problems. I feel so angry. Is there any way to get my money back on this so I can get veneers?
Catherine
Dear Catherine,
I am sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, now that you have had crowns placed on your teeth, there is no way to unring that bell and get veneers. The tooth structure cannot be regrown. As you can see from the difference in tooth preparation, porcelain crowns require much more tooth preparation. Based on your description, it sounds like the dentist you went to was even more aggressive.
While you cannot get porcelain veneers, you can get your money back. In fact, I think you have a decent case for a lawsuit, but that is a lot of time and trouble. A basic tenant of dentistry is informed consent. You gave consent for porcelain veneers. He gave you a completely different procedure altogether. I would start by just asking the dentist for a refund. Let him know that you understand the strength of your position and are willing to go to court, but wanted to give him the chance to do the right thing.
The fact that his website shows that he knows the difference between the two procedures works in your favor.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.