Does My Son Really Have to Lose All His Teeth?

My son is 23 years old. He went astray for a few years. Ran away from home and got addicted to drugs. He showed back up at home seven months ago and has been working hard to get his life together. He’s regularly attending rehab meetings, he got a job, he’s going to church, and even is taking some community college classes to get his GED. His teeth are a mess and I think it’s important for a young man his age to feel good about how he lives. I took him to my dentist and was disheartened about my dentist’s attitude toward my son. He didn’t offer any compassion and basically said that we should just extract his teeth and get him dentures. Is that his only option? I want him to have hope.

Elisa

Dear Elisa,

I’m going to tell you that I’m not too keen on your dentist either. My suspicion is that he doesn’t think your son is worth his time and doesn’t believe he’s going to take care of his teeth. I know that sounds cruel. But the fact that he only recommended removable dentures, tells me this. Even if your son does have to lose all his teeth, which may not be the case, do NOT get him removable dentures.

When his teeth are removed, your son’s body recognizes that and immediately begins removing the minerals in his jawbone in order to be efficient with his body’s resources. The big problem with that is as the minerals are resorbed, his jawbone begins to shrink. After ten or so years, he’ll no longer have enough jawbone left to keep the dentures in place. Plus, it will age his appearance by decades. This is known as facial collapse. That is the last thing a 20 something needs.

Here is my recommendation. See another dentist. One willing to save as much teeth as possible. For the teeth that cannot be saved, the best tooth replacement is a dental implant. It not only is the closest thing to a healthy tooth, but it will preserve his bone structure.

If he does have to lose all of his teeth, don’t despair. Implant supported dentures can give him a beautiful smile that will also preserve his jawbone. You’ll want a dentist with post-doctoral training in dental implants. They can put four to six implants in his jaw and then anchor the dentures to them. This will prevent the dentures from moving around. They’ll be permanently in place just like natural teeth. Plus, it will protect him from facial collapse. His body will interpret the implants as teeth roots and leave his jawbone intact.

I’m sure your son is going to do great things with a mother like you defending him.

This blog is brought to you by a compassionate female dentist in Draper, UT, Dr. Oksana Bailey.