Reconstruction
•
RUTHAN BRODSKY
Special to The Jewish News
•
•
Iff ax Sosin was embar-
rassed by his 25-year
old dentures; they
slipped when he spoke,
his jaw was sore from wearing them,
and it was a chore to eat because the
dentures made it difficult to chew.
His dentist discussed the possibili-
ty of dental implantation as a solu-
tion, the primary concerns being
Sosin's health at age 80 and the cost.
"Best investment I ever made!"
reports Sosin of West Bloomfield. "I
haven't had a problem in the past
seven years, after four implants were
placed in my upper jaw to support
my dentures. I'm confident my teeth
will stay in place when I talk and I'm
eating whatever I want."
Since the early 1980s, dentists
have been well aware that implants
are particularly appropriate when
dentures slip because the shape of the
jaw changes with long-term denture
use. Implants also offer a good solu-
tion when a patient wants to avoid
altering remaining teeth to install a
crown or bridge.
Three years ago, 68-year-old
Sandor Adler of Walled Lake had two
"Dental implants provide a stable
foundation for attaching a prosthesis,
unlike conventional dentures that are
held in place by the natural contours
of the mouth, which change as peo-
ple age," explains Marvin Novetsky,
DDS, MS, a prosthodontist in
Farmington Hills. "And unlike
crowns and bridges that often require
nearby teeth to be recontoured to
and it needed to be extracted the next create an anchor, implants leave
implants and dental restoration in his
year," said Brad Hirschman, a 26-
remaining teeth intact.
upper right jaw. Two months ago,
year-old dental student at University
"What's amazing is that the basis
two more implants were in place in
of Detroit-Mercy.
for the procedures we're using today
his left lower jaw and he was waiting
"As an undergrad, I wore what's
were only put in place in the early
for the area to heal.
called
a flipper for appearances
1980s. Ten years ago, no one would
"I don't have any dentures and the
because you flip it on and off to eat.
imagine what we're accomplishing
teeth I do have are in good shape,"
It's been a lot easier these past four
because the process was so fixed on
said Adler. "My goal is to keep things
years
with
the
implant.
I
just
have
to
jaw
bone quality that we didn't think
that way."
be a bit more careful how I
we could do the prosthetic work we
A dental implant is a sup-
floss around the area."
have today for patients whose bone
port that is surgically
Lisa Sonne lost her two
Dr. Mar yin
quality isn't good enough for
embedded in the jawbone.
front teeth riding a bike
implants."
Miniature screws or clips are Novetsky checks
Norman Klegman's when she was 9 years old.
Norman Klegman says he's living
used to attach replacement
She
spent
the
next
nine
implants
proof
that dental implantation can
teeth to the implants for a
years
wearing
a
retainer
change
your life. After putting up
fixed restoration or to a bar
with
two
false
teeth
with
eight
years of wearing dentures
connected to the implants
attached.
that weren't working, the 71-year-old
for a removable connection.
During the summer of 1996,
Southfield resident said his lifestyle
Implants are an option not only
Sonne
had two implants. This past
when patients are unhappy with their
has changed.
summer the final dental restoration
"I'm living a lot better now
current denture or bridge but also for
took place. "I love them; it's made
because I'm eating better, so I feel
someone who loses one or two teeth
my life so much easier!" says Sonne, a
better and move around more.
that need replacement.
"I injured my front tooth at age 17 student at Michigan State University.
Dental implant technology has
improved tremendously, as has the
quality of life for its patients.
1997