I have recently had five teeth extracted and will need a partial for the upper teeth - right and left. I have a lower one, but am having that redone. My dentist has told me to wait three months before getting the partial as that will allow everything to heal and for the partial to fit correctly. While this makes eating very difficult, his theory makes sense and I have heard it before. His feeling is that they would only have to be redone thus doubling the expense, and that the waiting is better health wise. My parents, however, had theirs done many years ago and had partials put in immediately. They can not understand why I am waiting, or being told to wait.

So, my questions are: Isn't my dentist correct? Have you waited three months for things to heal? Did that help to create a better fit and an easier transition?

Thanks for any information or personal experiences.

glowing4

Your dentist knows the conditions in your mouth and the amount of trauma you mouth underwent in the extraction process. He is correct in saying you will get a better fit with your new denture by waiting. What was your experience with your lower partial? Depending on where the teeth are missing is often a consideration for whether they make immediates for a patient or not- if your front teeth were missing you would have a temp to wear until a more definitive denture could be made.
He may also be waiting because of the slight differences in timing of the extractions and the rate you are healing.

I hope this helps, I have full dentures and got immediates.

Hi Glowing, what kind of partial are you getting? I have had ZERO replies on my post asking for feedback from valplast or thermoflex partial wearers. Do you know what he's making for you? I'm getting two teeth pulled thursday and am going in to a flipper, then will wait about 3 months to get my partial fitted, am still shopping materials and possibly dentists accordingly. Your dentist is totally right as far as all I have read on-line. You want your gums to shrink as much as possible after extraction, heal up, so you can get as perfect a fit as possible in your new partial. Makes sense. You don't want an ill-fitting partial giving you sores or worse, having to toss it out and re-do the whole thing, or discovering your partial can't be modified to fit. Good luck!

I am not sure which partial I am getting. I do know that it is metal free, totally flexible (can twist and bend it), and am looking forward to an easier wear then the standard one I have now. I am getting both an upper and lower made. I will ask my dentist the correct name and let you know.

Good luck with your extraction. Having been through five this summer, I do understand.

glowing4

The partials I am getting are the Valplast ones. In fact, I went to the dentist for something else this morning and it was in! So, it is sitting in my mouth as I write this. It is going to take some getting used to as all dentures would or will, but so far it is pretty good. Doesn't feel as light as I had hoped, but I am not sure anything ever would. The dentist said these are very strong - has known a man who has had them for 30 years! He said they have been around for a long time, but dentists are just beginning to use them. There were a few rough spots that he had no trouble grinding down. They are easy care - take them out at night and put them in water. He said they do not stain as easily, but the company has a cleaning solution that they recommend and a website on the box for that. Hope this helps with some of your questions. Can't wait to get the uppers, but that will be in November because everything needs to heal. Let me know if I can help you further.

glowing4

Hi, well, I am not done yet. This is the first stage. I had a standard partial on the bottom that I have just had redone with the valplast. I have to wait three months to get the top done - those were the latest extractions.

I am going back today as there are several places that are making sore spots, but that is to be expected with any partial I think - needs to be fine tuned. There are no clasps at all! Isn't that great! Just sits onto your gums, so nothing shows and it looks totally natural. They still feel heavy as my old ones did, but I am sure that needs time to get used to.

I would definitely recommend them for a more natural look.
They are more expensive, but worth the exta I think.

All of the teeth that are missing are molars with the exception of two pre-molars on the top. It will be great when that partial is done.

I will be so thinking of you with the extractions. I know it is not fun and I am sure your headache is stress related. One little trick I do is to tell myself that by this time next week, or in a few days, or whatever time frame works for you, it will all be over. So, in a few days it will be over!

Sending good thoughts,

glowing4

Another update for you. Just got back from the dentist and with a few minor adjustments the partial now feels great. He loosened it up a bit, so it feels lighter in my mouth, and shaved off a few bumps where it was causing some sore spots. There are some gum colored clasps, but very tiny and they blend right in - so unlike the metal ones. I would definitely recommend these to you - light, easy care, more natural looking, etc. Let me know if you have any questions and read below as I posted before I went.

Thinking of you,

glowing4

Fabulous Glowing! That makes me feel better to know you like your partial. I'm losing one of my front teeth and the two next to it back so I really need something that won't make me cringe every time I want to smile. Thanks for the support..I'm kind of freaking out about tomorrow. I just hope I don't need to go under sedation or something. The last time I went to the hospital I almost died I went under so deep. They were panicking for hours over me, I was out like a light. The head nurse said they were very worried about me...well...yeah... I can only remember bits and pieces of people looking at me, slapping my hands and face a few times, vomiting and blacking out again. Yummy....Well, I'll try your trick and pretty soon it will all be over. A memory only. I'll keep you posted. All the best to you!

Oh my goodness - what a horrible time you had. I so understand as when my middle son was a very little he was put under for dental work and the same thing happened to him. It was horrible and I was so scared. He was given nitrous oxide and we learned afterwards that the same thing happened to his grandfather, so there must be some allergic reaction to it. I am so, so sorry you went through all of that. All my teeth have been done with novacaine and I did just fine. A good oral surgeon has them out in no time and you can certainly request that. There is no need to be put under for simple extractions.

I understand you freaking out. It is hard to face all of that. I will send you good, good thoughts, and remember - by Friday it will be over and by next week you will feel much better.

glowing4

Hi Glowing! I am alive! The two roots actually popped right out when he wiggled the bridge off! I was really starting to freak when they left me in the room to numb up, there must be something in that stuff because I feel like my throat is closing up and get weird feeling like I'm on drugs well YEAH I guess they are drugs...anyway...it was quick and it;s over, but now I have a question about my dang flipper! Your teeth are all molars so maybe it isn't the same...did/does your temp have the pink resin coming almost up or down to the edge of the surrounding teeth? It isn't up where my gums are and is covering the backs if my healthy surrounding teeth. Is that normal?? It feels like my flipper needs to go up more on the roof of my mouth, I can dislodge it pretty easily with my tongue, and it "creaks". And one tooth is hanging down further than the other front tooth!!!!:mad: I paid $600 for this f'ing flipper, I'd at least like to feel good wearing it at that price!! What do you think? I'm starving but happy this is over with...and what am I supposed to do with the flipper? Wear it to bed? Take it out and soak it? Brush it with toothpaste and all?? I feel like my dentist is dropping the ball here with me...just the minimum of instructions would be nice...

First, I am glad that you made it through the extractions just fine. Good for you and I am glad that is behind you.

I have never had a flipper, so not exactly sure about everything you are talking about. However, the resin should fit right up where your gums are and it should fit pretty tightly there. Yes, you will feel it running behind your other teeth. It shouldn't feel loose - it should fit rather snugly, even a bit uncomfortable, like braces would feel, until your mouth gets used to it. It also should not creak! And, one tooth should not be longer than the other. From what I understand, flippers are only temporary until the new ones are made, however that does not mean they shouldn't fit properly. Don't be afraid to go back and keep going back until it is right. That is what you have paid for and they need to make it right. Often it takes some fine tuning and a good dentist will expect and accomodate that. I have been back once for mine and am going again on Monday.

I have been told with all my partials to take them out at night as this gives the gums a chance to breath and the bone to be strong underneath. With my traditional partial I soaked it over night in water and sometimes in a denture cleaner. They can also be brushed with regular toothpaste. I would definitely call the office and get better instructions on their care.

Don't suffer with this. It needs to be right as you are going to be wearing it for quite some time. Things are going to feel sore over the next few days as your extractions try to heal and your mouth adjusts. That is hard enough without dealing with a flipper that isn't right. They can be easily tightened and the length of the tooth can be filed down. Keep calling and going back until it is right and you are comfortable.

Let me know how you are doing. Trust me, I understand.

glowing4

Thanks Glowing!:angel: It helps to have a tooth buddy! :angel: I will call my guy today. I am just getting more and more confused with all of this. It is more complicated because I have allergies to certain metals and plastics, latex etvc., and last night I was on a website talking about "tooth bearing" partials and "gumbearing partials" being that metal puts the load on your teeth and resins plastics put the load on your gums..oh god, a new variable to think about. I need to back up and get samples of everything and take it to my naturopath to be tested if I am allergic or not. This flipper is already making my gums react in not a good way. After wearing it I can rub my tongue over them and they feel irritated and different. I'm the one who can only use a certain sensodyne or health food pastes because my tissues burn and peel off after brushing with them..chemicals...arghghhghghg Now I'm back to metals versus new supposedly hypo-allergenic plastics! Darn! Did you have a metal partial? Did it cause sore spots, was heavy? If you had one, what metal was it made with? Gosh darn it I'm so sick of this I want it over by Christmas so I can at least be the jolly one for a change:) My husband is kind of tiptoeing around me these days....so you're just waiting right?? But your bottom is in. I keep hearing two stories, one that if made correctly valplast is GREAT, the other, if it is made and doesn't fit it is a nightmare of rubbing and sore spots and can't be burred down..which is it?? Too early to tackle all of this...I'm going to make a smoothie! Keep in touch!

So sorry I haven't written back. My husband had a severe medication reaction requiring hours in the ER and I have been pretty wiped out.

Let me know how you are doing. I am going back today to get the partial adjusted again. Valplast can be burred down very easily, it just can't be added to or built back up. So, sore spots can be easily fixed. They expand with heat and contract with cold, so adjusting the tightness is very easy as well.

Do let me know what you are deciding and how you are feeling.

glowing4