Venetian Dental Transforms Russell Stevens’ Smile with Implant Dentures

JORDAN PYSZ / iFoundMyDoctor.com
With an implant-secured upper denture, Russell again has a smile he is proud to show off.

Wyoming native Russell Stevens relocated to Atlanta with his mother when he was 12 years old. Russell was always good with his hands, and he put that talent to good use, fashioning a lengthy career in the construction industry. “I was a general contractor in Atlanta for almost 30 years. I had my own business for 30-plus years,” Russell recounts. “As a contractor, I built basements, vaults, art galleries — you name it. I built them from the ground up. “About 6½ years ago, I moved to Sarasota and started up a handyman service. I mostly do small jobs such as putting in ceiling fans and faucets. I also work for several management companies that have me turn over their rental units. I paint them and get them ready for the next renters.” Russell, 62, limits the hours he works, so he considers himself semi-retired. When he’s not being handy for clients, he fills his free time with his favorite outdoor activities. “I kayak, I fish, I go to the beach to watch the sunset,” Russell elaborates. “I’m still exploring Florida because there’s a lot to see here, and I just love my surroundings. Kayaking and fishing are my main hobbies. I really like deep sea fishing and fishing out of my kayak.” One thing Russell was not fond of was the state of his teeth, particularly his upper teeth. For most of his adult life, he struggled with a medical disorder that put his teeth in peril. “I have a degenerative bone disease in my jaw,” he discloses. “It’s a genetic thing from my father’s side. It caused my teeth to become very loose, and once they become loose, they’re more apt to come out. “The dentist I was seeing in Bradenton kept pulling teeth and creating bridges for me. I finally said, That’s enough. If I’m going to put more and more money into these bridges, I might as well just get all my teeth pulled and wear a denture.” Last year, Russell did just that. He had all his upper teeth extracted and was fit with a full upper denture. But the denture covered his palate, which was uncomfortable. He also was annoyed with having to remove it before bedtime each night. Seeking a better solution, Russell visited Venetian Dental, the practice of Alexander Gaukhman, DMD, a general, cosmetic and emergency dentist who has offices in Venice and Osprey. “When Mr. Stevens presented to me, he was unhappy with the traditional upper denture he was wearing and expressed his desire for an appliance that was fixed and did not cover the palate, or upper roof of his mouth,” Dr. Gaukhman states. “I recommended an upper denture supported by dental implants. Implant-supported upper dentures are horseshoe-shaped and do not overlay the palate, and they do not have to be removed for cleaning and sleeping.”

Seamless Process

Dental implants are root-shaped, screw-like bodies that are surgically placed into the jawbone, where new bone naturally grows around them to form the foundation for an abutment and replacement teeth. The replacement teeth can be a crown that is cemented or screwed onto the abutment, a partial bridge that can be affixed to one or more implants, or a full denture that can be fastened to a series of implants. “Generally, upper dentures fit securely in the mouth without dental implants because the palate creates sufficient suction to hold the appliance in place,” Dr. Gaukhman observes. “There are instances, however, when dental implants are recommended. “For one thing, traditional upper dentures typically lead to a decrease in taste. The tongue is mainly responsible for discerning taste, but the palate also plays a role. Because traditional dentures cover the palate, patients can be deprived of sensing the full complement of tastes. Implant dentures leave the palate uncovered, so that sense of taste is not diminished.” Gag reflex is another issue that can occur when traditional upper dentures cover the palate. “Implant-secured upper dentures provide better stability because the denture is anchored directly to the jawbone,” Dr. Gaukhman asserts. “Implant dentures also prevent bone atrophy and do not rub against the gums. And they’re more convenient because they do not require messy adhesives to hold them in place.” The process for providing implant-supported dentures at Venetian Dental is seamless. Once the implants are seated, Dr. Gaukhman immediately places temporary dentures that are fabricated in an on-site laboratory. This way, the denture acts as a bandage to minimize swelling and bleeding. Moreover, patients do not need to walk around without teeth. “The patient wears the temporary denture for three to six months following the implant procedure,” Dr. Gaukhman explains. “The time allows the implants to integrate with the jawbone and for the tissues to heal. The temporary denture is then replaced with a permanent appliance that attaches to the implants. Once the permanent dentures are placed, we make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.”

JORDAN PYSZ / iFoundMyDoctor.com
Russell Stevens

“Beautiful” Teeth

Russell’s upper denture is secured by four implants that allow for the convenience and comfort he didn’t get from the traditional prosthetic. He’s as pleased with the look of his new denture as he is with the feel of it. “They matched up the color of the denture teeth to my bottom teeth, and I like it,” Russell says. “With the denture that my previous dentist made, the teeth were offset and not aligned with my nose. The teeth made by Venetian Dental are beautiful, and I’m really excited to have straight teeth instead of teeth that are crooked.” Russell visited Dr. Gaukhman on his niece’s recommendation. He’s grateful to her for suggesting the skilled dentist. “Dr. Gaukhman is great. I love him,” Russell raves. “He’s very knowledgeable, which is why I chose to have him do the implants and why I now go to Venetian Dental for all my cleanings and dental care. “He checks on me every time I go in. I might not be there to see him, but he always comes in the room, makes sure I’m doing well and looks at what’s being done to me. He’s on top of everything with every patient. I won’t go to any other dentist in Florida.”