Anyone who has suffered the loss of their teeth will tell you that few things
in life are as inconvenient, embarrassing — and costly.
The advent in recent years of titanium implant technology has greatly improved
the lives of those who wear dentures, but its high price puts it beyond the
reach of many who need it most.
Now a $400,000, four-year Faculty of Dentistry study is looking at the cost and
design of dental prostheses used with implants, to see if they can be better
made, and at a lower cost.
“We are investigating which designs work best, as well as the cost of making
and maintaining prostheses,” said project director Dr. Joanne Walton, an
associate professor in the Dept. of Clinical Dental Sciences.
“Practitioners have their own sense of what works, but it is not backed up by
research. By looking at commonly used designs, we may find that one of the
least expensive dentures is just as good as the most expensive. If so, it makes
sense to offer that alternative to patients,” she said.
“We want to know what will bring the greatest good to the greatest number of
people.”
About 70 per cent of the population over 65 has at least one denture. And
between 30 and 40 per cent of Canadians over 65 have no teeth at all in either
jaw.
Conventional dentures–difficult to fit, sometimes painful–are often poor
substitutes. That’s what made titanium implants the biggest advance in dental
care in 50 years.
The expensive procedure sees two or more titanium cylinders implanted into the
bone of the lower jaw. Titanium is a biologically compatible metal that bone
cells can adhere to, firmly attaching it to the jaw. Short studs are left
protruding above the gum and dentures equipped with special fasteners simply
snap onto them.
“Many people who get implants say they have not had such a good, firm fit since
they had their own teeth,” Walton said. “We see a lot of people who are
severely handicapped by tooth loss, and sometimes they cry and hug us because
they are so happy at the difference it makes. As a dental clinician, it is a
very exciting field to be in.”
But as implants have become more common, Walton and other clinicians have found
that problems can develop with the prostheses they retain. The research
literature has little to say about this.
The UBC study will attempt to remedy this by looking at issues such as
prostheses breakage, patient satisfaction and keeping dentures properly
adjusted, said Michael MacEntee, professor of Clinical Dental Sciences.
Another major focus is cost. With as many as five implants required to fit a
prosthesis, the cost can range as high as $12,000, prohibitive for a senior on
a fixed income.
“It is not a trivial amount of money. That’s why we feel it’s important to look
at the economics and cost-effectiveness of implant prostheses,” MacEntee said.
“Nobody has really analysed the cost and its implications before.”
The study is asking for volunteers who will receive implants and dentures for
just $1,800, including follow-up repairs and adjustments for two years at no
cost.
All dental work will be done by qualified professionals, not students, and will
use only proven techniques and materials. All that is asked of participants
after the implants are in place is to attend regularly scheduled dental
appointments.
The study is funded by the National Health Research Development Program of
Health Canada and Nobel Biocare, the Swedish company which produces the
titanium implants.
For more information or to participate in the study call the Oral Implant
Clinic at 822-5583.
