Expert: Zev Kaufman, D.D.S. - 11/8/2008

Question
I am a 46 year old woman. I have been advised that I have substantial bone loss due to periodontal disease. I have seen a periodontist who deemed my teeth hopeless and advised dentures. My dentist has commented that I have 'no bone' left. My teeth are mobile, my gums receding, and I'm not really sure what to do. I really really do not want dentures, like my granma. I guess my question is with such a significant amount of bone loss, am I still a candidate for implants with bone grafting techniques? Also who am I best to see? How do I locate a good specialist in Ontario?
I'd really appreciate any advise and guidance you can give me as I am so unhappy and depressed at the prospect of having all my teeth pulled. All of lowers are still in place, but I have now lost 4 of the upper teeth. Whilst I am now out of the 'denial' phase, this is so very hard for me to grasp, and I could really appreciate some advise.
Thank you for reading this.

Answer
Dear Maggie:
Do not despair!!! There is Hope!!!
You are EXACTLY the person that comes to see me as a surgically trained Prosthodontist on a daily basis.  You are also lucky to live in an area that has several world renown, excellent experts in the treatment that you require.
You need to go see a Prosthodontist, the specialist in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry.  Some Prosthodontists also are trained in implant surgery, and the ones who do not will be able to direct you to the proper periodontist, or oral surgeon in order to get the optimal result.  There are many options available to you such as a "staged extraction, grafting and placement of implants" using provisional (long term temporary restorations) that use several of your hopeless teeth while the implants are healing.  You do not have to settle for dentures.
www.prosthodontics.org will have a link to locating a Prosthodontist  in your area.  You have to check "international members" in Canada.  If you are having trouble deciding, please feel free to call me in the office and I'll set you up with a proper colleague.  www.drzevkaufman.com has all my info.
Best of luck
Dr. Zev Kaufman