Posted by writeradmin
My mother is 83 years old mother and her dentist is suggesting that she remove all her lower teeth and get dental implants. Here’s the thing, my mother is medically compromised. She’s diabetic and has just finished chemo for cancer. I’m concerned that she is not in a condition to deal with this additional stress on her body. Are there options for her?
Allie
Dear Allie,
There are always options. Please bear in mind that I have not examined your mother in any way and can only give you general advice. From what I have heard from your description, I have concerns. Did he tell your mother why her teeth could not be saved? I’m a bit wary about his level of care for your mother as whole person and not just what procedures he can get out of her.
While dental implants are the best tooth replacements, given your mother’s age and severely compromised health, I do not believe the risks outweigh the rewards, at least not to your mother. Dental implants will certainly make your mother’s dentist a lot more money, but at what cost to her?
The first thing I would recommend is that you have her seen by a second dentist and have them evaluate her situation. However, do it without letting them know what the other dentist said. If they also feel that her teeth cannot be saved, there are certainly other options. depending on the number of teeth she is losing, a dental bridge or two might be a better solution. Worst case scenario, and she is losing all of her lower teeth, then removable dentures are a good option for her.
Normally, I would not recommend fully removable dentures because of the inevitability of facial collapse. However, given your mother’s age, I don’t find that to be an urgent factor.
I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. John Theriot.