By Peter Schwartz
When it comes to caring for elderly parents, family make up has a direct impact on who ends up being the primary caregiver. An expert in the field, Sociology Professor Angelina Grigoryeva, PhD at the University of Toronto, states that “Sons reduce their relative caregiving efforts when they have a sister, while daughters increase theirs when they have a brother. This suggests that sons pass on caregiving responsibilities to their sisters.” That means that millions of moms across the country end up being responsible for the dental care of their elderly mothers.
With this in mind, Mother Today sat down with Dr. Nina Izhaky, the owner of Tribeca Dental Studio, a top Manhattan dental practice. We wanted to learn about full mouth dental implants and what they offer people who are fed up with the poor state of their natural teeth and want to start from scratch with a brand new set. We suspect this includes a lot of elderly mothers. Check out our informative interview below!
Intro/Question:
Hi Dr. Izhaky! Thanks a lot for taking the time to speak with MotherToday again. We always value the time you take to advise our readers on important dental issues that effect mothers.
Today we are going to be discussing something called “Full Mouth Dental Implants”, which from what I have heard are becoming increasingly popular across the country as Baby Boomers move further into their elder years and as dental technology improves. I suspect there are a lot of our readers would like to learn about this treatment option for their mom’s who are losing their teeth and struggling to chew their food.
Answer:
I am happy to speak with you! Well, as you probably know, dentures are the oldest form of tooth replacement available today, and they’re still a reliable and cost-effective choice for many mothers who are struggling with significant tooth loss. But Full Mouth Dental Implants are a far superior solution. That is because they can give mom a mouth full of beautiful, strong, natural looking teeth that improve their overall quality of life. Sometimes this treatment is referred to as full mouth restoration. And it can make all the difference in your comfort, health, smile, ability to chew food, etc. Accuracy and collaboration of specialists are crucial in making this treatment a success, and that’s where we really excel. This includes the Prosthodontist, Oral Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, the lab, treatment and financial coordinator as well as the general dentist.
Question:
Very interesting. Is there a main reason that patients cite when they elect to get full mouth dental implants?
Answer:
To be honest, we see a lot of patients who choose this solution because they have lost most of their teeth a long time ago and have no longer become eligible for more traditional treatment, therefore needing a more complex case that other offices cannot provide. They’d really prefer to have the convenience, effectiveness and great look of all new teeth. Most importantly to feel confident, to taste and chew nutritional meals, and to maintain a longer, healthier lifestyle. That’s really what it comes down to and there’s nothing like helping your mom improve her quality of life like this.
Question:
And what other reasons do patients cite?
Answer:
Well, some moms have already had dentures and just can’t stand them and want a better option. I have heard many stories from patients where their family members have commented on their lack of teeth or have encouraged them to take the leap in restoring their smile. They also have major life events where they want to feel more confident. Many moms are fed up with not being able to chew their food correctly, and others really want to look in the mirror and have a great smile again.
Question:
That all makes sense. So what’s involved in this procedure?
Answer:
It goes on a case-by-case basis, where we create a treatment plan based on bone level and the needs of each individual patient. It takes a lot of effort to coordinate with the lab, the doctors, the financial coordinator, the needs of the patient, etc. There essentially is no cookie cutter solution for this type of treatment. Every case has its own effort and work to design, and plan meticulously for the individual looking for a new smile. That is why I am so proud of my team at Tribeca Dental Studio. They work so hard, and are so compassionate with these patients. It can be a nerve-wracking procedure, and we go the extra mile to help them achieve their newfound confidence and overall healthier life.
Question: And I’ve heard there’s a very high success rate. Is that the case?
Answer:
Absolutely! In fact, I have personally never seen a failed case in my office. We have had patients come in from different offices that need help, and have fixed them. It is unfortunate when a patient has to come in and have treatment done twice, however we will never take on a case that we do not feel we can succeed in. We want to always provide top notch treatment. We plan our cases very carefully, and perfect every angle to ensure success for the patient.
Question:
That’s very interesting. How long do Full Mouth Dental Implants usually last?
Answer:
Dental implants and restoration – if done correctly – must and will outlive the patient. For example, some of the moms I know have had them well over 20 years, which is really amazing if you think about it. There is no reason for them to fail unless they experience a wild, traumatic event that could damage the implant or break their jaw.
Question:
And what about maintenance issues?
Answer:
Well, we always advise patients that they need to maintain a generally healthy diet and healthy oral hygiene habits. In fact, they really should care for their new teeth just like you would natural teeth. Undertaking regularly scheduled visits to your dental specialist are certainly important. It all depends on the individual, their doctor will educate them on the proper ways they should take care of them and how often they should visit for their check-ups. Some will be told to come in every three months and some can come only once a year, it all depends on what the doctor recommends based on the individual. It can be harder to arrange for dental visits for elderly parents, that is true.
Question:
I have to ask if this procedure is painful. There are many people out there who are so scared of surgery, or even of going to the dentist! I know my mom does not like it!
Answer:
Well, if done correctly, the surgery should be painless. With this treatment the patients are put to sleep. They will wake up groggy, but ecstatic with their newfound confidence and new chapter in life. With the care and compassion they get from the team, their recovery process is full of rest, controlled medication, and tremendous aftercare.
Question:
How can people contact you and arrange a visit for their mother?
Answer:
My practice is called Tribeca Dental Studio and we are located at 54 Warren St, New York, NY 10007. People can call us at 212-561-5303 or of course visit us online at www.tribecadentalstudio.com
Question:
And one last question: Is it true that dental implants don’t get cavities?
Answer:
Correct, they do not! Isn’t that great? Since they are made from titanium, they really don’t get cavities. Sometimes people struggle to believe that, but it’s true.
Question:
That’s great. Thanks so much for speaking with us today!
Answer:
You are more than welcome, it has been my pleasure.
Peter Schwartz is a healthcare writer and consultant with 30 years in the field. His writing has appeared in numerous publications such as the The New York Times, Forbes, TechCrunch and Fast Company. His undergraduate studies were undertaken at The George Washington University and the London School of Economics.
He then took a master’s degree at the NYU Stern School of Business where his master’s thesis on healthcare reform was conducted under the tutelage of renowned Princeton University School of International Affairs professor and author Lawrence Mead. Learn more about Peter at www.jibeconsultants.com