51 Year Old Female - Getting Implant Supported Dentures at Radiance Dentistry in Irving, TX - Irving, TX

I am a 51 year old female with periodontal disease (receding gums, loosening and shifting teeth) I have made the decision to have all of my teeth extracted and get implant supported dentures.

Periodontal disease runs in my family and after two kids, years of cigarette smoking and too few regular cleanings - I've lost the battle and my smile looks horrible. I brush and floss religiously and I no longer smoke, but I know that the disease/bacteria in my mouth is affecting other areas of my health as well. It has to.

My overall health and the fact that I hate the way I look in pictures, am totally self-conscious when out in public and avoid social situations is what led me here, to Realself, to Dr. Iskandar.

I started researching the implants once I learned that I am not a candidate for Invisalign - which was my original plan. The orthodontist said my teeth were too loose and suggested I look into All-On-4 Implants. From there, I found the video series from Kalinjax on YouTube. I highly recommend watching her series if you are just beginning this journey! She also has a website. Learning about her journey pushed me to the decision point. That and two teeth got very, very loose while I had a severe cold (?).

I started looking for a local specialist and ran across reviews for Radiance Dentistry here on Realself. I double checked their google reviews and all were really happy with Dr. Iskandar and his staff. I called and was able to book a consultation the following week. At the consultation, they did a CT scan and one of the assistants explained the All-On-4 and the Implant Supported Dentures to me. She was very thorough (but I had already researched a ton), explaining everything from the timing to the procedure to the difference in the two appliances.

Dr. Iskandar came in, reviewed my CT scans and explained the procedure and process to me as well. He answered all of my questions and was very nice and patient. When we were talking about the implants and the denture, bridge, etc...I realized, and Dr. Iskandar confirmed, that I could have the extractions, the implants and basically the same denture (teeth) with snap-on or implant supported dentures. They are a little bit different in that they are removable not fixed (the All-on-4 can only be removed by your dentist), there is a little more of an acrylic gum/palate than the All-on-4 (but the majority of the palate is still exposed, unlike a regular denture which covers the entire palate). The other thing is that the highest-end denture (the zirconium) can’t be placed on the snap on denture.

Well, since I can’t afford the high-end denture anyway, I decided to go with the snap on and save a lot of money. And the best news is, if I ever want to upgrade to the All-on-4, I can use the same implants and will just pay the difference between the two prices - which is currently $6500. That sealed the deal for me! I also like the idea of being able to really clean the denture. The implant/abutment is super strong and they will NOT come out of your mouth unless you take them out. They don’t move around. Dr. Iskandar did say that it would be easier for me to adapt to not having natural teeth with the All-on-4. At least an All-on-4 on top and snap in on the bottom but I can't spend that much money right now (that set up would be $25,000 - still a good value).

I met with Frank, the patient coordinator and he explained all of the financing options. There are lots of options. I will use a combination of cash and a zero interest credit card. You do not have to pay it all up front. You can pay in stages which is helpful! I have followed up with questions on the phone and have never felt pressured, rushed or like anyone is pushing a higher cost treatment plan on me.

I am having both arches done for $19,000, $9,500 each. That is an all-inclusive price. Extractions, implant surgery, anesthesia, temporaries, finals and all appointments in between. There is a 10 year warranty on everything. They use the Ivoclar Vivadent line of denture (the same that Kalinjax has in her last videos) and top-of-the line impants.

I go in for impressions next Tuesday. The following Tuesday afternoon they will extract my uppers and fit my temporary. The next day they will extract my lowers and fit my temporary. I will go back on Friday, then again in four-six weeks. As I understand it, my finals will be ready and I should be healed in about four to six months.

Am I nervous? Not really. I’m more excited than anything. I know it will be a challenging few months with some discomfort and lots of adjustments but I’m researching soft food diets and am just going for it!

I will update after my next appointment.

My pre-op and impressions appointment went really well. No problems at all.

First they took my blood pressure and pulse (probably to establish a baseline). Then they set right in making the impressions. There were two sets made for both upper and lower. The first set was in a light gel. The second set was the thick gooey stuff. They leave that in for a couple of minutes while it hardens. It is kind of weird but no big deal. I have a loose tooth on my upper arch and was afraid it would come out, but it survived intact.

I also chose the color for my immediate dentures. I went with the lightest shade I could for the immediates. I understand that you can go whiter with the finals but I think this is a good way to kind of ease into a bright white smile. Surprisingly, the color I choose is not that drastic a difference from my natural teeth. Go figure.

I got lots of prescriptions! Be sure to go into detail about the medications you are taking. They were going to prescribe a Z-Pac but eliminated it due to possible complications with my thyroid medications.

I have to fill prescriptons for Amoxicillin (antibiotic), Ibuprofin 800mg (pain/swelling), Tylenol #3 (pain), Triazolam (anxiety) and Peridex (oral rinse). These all must be filled prior to surgery.

I made my first payment today as well. The total cost is $19,000. Today I put $2000 down in cash. Next Tuesday (day of 1st surery) I will pay another $10,000. This will be a combination of cash and the lowest interest credit card I have. To begin the final phase (about four months after surgery) I will need to pay the balance of $7,000.

I am very happy with the price I am paying for what I am getting! These are top-of-the-line implants and dentures. You can research both and see if your dentist uses them. The denture is by Ivoclar Vivadent. It is the BlueLine. You can google it and see how nice they are! I can't remember right now what brand name the implants are but I did research those and they are top-of-the-line as well.

I am so excited to get this done. I am still not really nervous. I know it's a big deal getting all of your teeth pulled, but for today anyway - I am perfectly calm!

Here is a picture of my teeth. Ewww. Thankful this is one one the last times I will have to look at these!

I went in at 1:00pm yesterday for the uppers. The blood pressure, c02/pulse monitoring devices were attatched, I took my oral sedation medicine and relaxed until my blood pressure came down and I was sufficiently woozy. Dr. Iskander and his staff are very sweet and accomodating, always calm and no rushing things. I asked for, and received, great music to listen to which always calms me and makes me happy.

I think they started the procedure about 30 minutes after I took the sedation pill. I was aware of the shots he gave me in the mouth but didn't feel a bit of pain. I had taken the 800 mg ibuprofen an hour earlier as directed also so I'm sure that helped.

I was aware during the procedure, but couldn't feel anything. Dr. Iskander asked me to open my mouth wider or something a couple of times, which I can only assume I obliged.

I do remember a bit of pressure when the denture was attached to the implant, but that's about it.

Next thing I know, it is now...almost 12 hours after the start of the procedure. I'm feeling suprisingly good. I awoke to see some blood on my pillowcase, coming from the right side of my mouth. This is the side with more discomfort.

I'm also pretty hungry so I am drinking a protein shake. Probably all I will have today since I go in at 9am for my lowers.

All said, I am blown away by how much easier this was than I thought it would be. I'm attaching a photo of the upper temps. Will post later after lowers are done.