In June I got All on 4 implants and I’ve lost 30 pounds since that time. I wanted to drop a few pounds but not this way. I wore dentures for 15 years. With the bone shrinkage from not having my own natural teeth, my dentist and I agreed that I needed dental implants. All on 4 sounded good to me because I didn’t want a whole bunch of implants and a long drawn out process. The whole thing has been a nightmare because I can’t eat because of the pain from chewing. And so the 30 pounds have dropped off in no time. My dentist keeps asking me to give it more time. I’m not sure what she has in mind but I don’t like going without eating and worrying that I am now too thin. I’m drinking protein drinks it seems by the gallon just to keep from malnutrition. Will you please tell me if waiting is the only answer or do I have options? Emil
Emil – There is clearly a problem with your All-on-4 dental implants. What isn’t clear is why your dentist keeps asking you to wait. After two months, the symptoms you describe are alarming. Your dentist should have a sense of urgency to identity and resolve the issue. If your dentist can’t find the issue, she should refer you to a specialist, particularly a prosthodontist.
Quick Action Is Needed for Painful All-On-4 Implants
Below are a few reasons why you and your dentist need to act quickly to preserve your All-on-4 dental implants.
- Although Dr. LaVacca would need to examine your dental implants, the pain and discomfort you describe seem to indicate there is an infection around the implants.
- Usually with signs of infection, antibiotics are prescribed to stop the infection and help preserve your implants.
- If there is an infection, and it continues, you could completely lose the dental implants.
Contact your dentist’s office again to request an urgent appointment. If your dentist is unwilling to see you, get a second opinion from an experienced implant dentist. Meanwhile, in addition to your protein drinks, to get more nutrition, you can puree food, or eat soup, low-sugar yogurt, or other soft foods that don’t require much chewing.
Don’t delay scheduling an appointment with your dentist or getting a second opinion. It can make the different between saving, or losing, your All-on-4 dental implants.
This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca
