Hi all,

My name is Carrie and I'm 36 years old. I've had problems with my teeth my entire life. I have an over-bite, and have always had cavities. About 10 years ago all of my teeth were capped and most had root canals. The past few years I've had some problems with the caps either falling out or breaking and I didn't have the money to get them fixed. I finally went to a dentist last week, she was very nice, but said something has to be done about my teeth, obviously. LOL. There is a lot of decay, etc. I have to have at least 3 teeth on the top pulled, and I think two on the bottom.

She is unsure about what to do about my top teeth, as the front six are "connected", I think its a bridge? I am going back in two weeks for x-rays, cleaning, and a consultation for a game plan.

Top dentures were mentioned as a possibility and I am wondering if this is the best way to go? I don't want to spend tons of money having more root canals, caps and/or implants and then have to go thru this again years down the road.

Any advice on dentures? Is having all my teeth pulled going to be very painful? I have panic disorder so things like this really scare me. Are top dentures very hard to get used to? Will it change my face? Whats involved and how much would it cost?

Thanks so much!
Carrie

Hi Carrie,

You already have a sizable investment in your teeth. I would weigh removal of all of them very carefully because once they are gone.....they are gone. Get the evaluation and then get a second opinion. If most teeth have been root canalled and all crowned- there is not much more they need to do, if you have decay, they can clean that up and replace the crowns.
An upper denture is not the end of the world either. Try to avoid a lower denture if at all possible. They take longer to adapt to and some people never quite get the hang of them. Any way you go, there will be some pain. You are 36 and have a long life ahead of you, decide carefully.
I have full dentures and I am 41, I got them when I was 35. I am comfortable with mine but it was not easy.

Sandy

Carrie,

A good rule of investments is never to consider "sunk costs" only future valuation, so the fact that you spent a fortune shouldn't affect your decision.

Here's what it's going to come down to:
that 6 tooth bridge in the front is anchored to the two strongest teeth in your mouth, the canines. IF they are fixable and strong enough to hold the bridge, then go for it. It is worth extraordinary measures to save these two teeth, the most valuable in your mouth. IF however there is reason to believe you will lose one or both of those canines then you are problably looking at upper dentures. Your choice might already be made for you.

Ask you dentist very specifically about the condition of these two anchor teeth.

There is also the possibility of PARTIAL uppers...often having a few teeth of your own makes for a much better fitting "almost" denture.