major dental problems - Dental Health Message Board

ted hoss · 08-16-2006, 03:22 PM

My wife who is 70 has been informed that she will need to have major dental work which will cost around $20,000.00. Our dentist has told us that pulling her teeth and getting dentures is a bad idea because her teeth are so secure in the bone. To pull the teeth would destroy bone which would not be good for dentures. He gave us all the bad things about dentures. He wants to save my wife's teeth which will include a bridge, many crowns, scaling, extractions, and root canals. My wife gets a different opinion from everyone she talks to. Should she get dentures or should she keep her teeth? We had decided on keeping her teeth. She is in good health.

But she goes back and forth each day after listening to the lastest friend. What do you think??????? Help!

Thelma-Louise · 08-16-2006, 08:00 PM

If she is not in any pain, I would certainly try and keep the nautral teeth but within reason. Dentures are not for everyone but for some they are much better than their natural teeth. With that said, however, I have to be honest and tell you I am in my late forties and have had enough dental work to last a life time. In my experience most dentists will try and sell you the big package - it has happened to me several times now. You say she will need scaling, root canals and still need extractions? Yet her teeth are still very secure? Unless her teeth are infected - the scaling will help maintain the bones and keep them free of plaque - kind of proactive treatment. Does she need crowns because her teeth are fractured or have large fillings? Generally, root canals are done before a crown b/c the nerve can get damaged during the prepping of the tooth for the crown and its easier to treat before the crown is cemented on. Is she already missing teeth which is why she needs the bridge? Or b/c some of the teeth are loose and need to be removed? In terms of cost - it depends on who you go to and where. Dental schools charge less of course. Dentures can go be very cheap and very expensive - the same can be said for the work you described. Some drs in private practice just charge way too much just b/c they can. The best advice I can give you is do a little as possible unless she is in constant pain, can not chew or speak properly or is uncofmortable in any way. If it is for cosmetic reasons, only she can make the decision. Ask her how much time, in addition to the money she is willing to commit to this b/c she could be in the chair for several months. And although I doubt it will be extremely painful there will be some discomfort - even if only from the novacaines. This is really a hard decision - even after all the work I have had done - I am still trying to figure out if dentures would not have been easier and cheaper.

ted hoss · 08-16-2006, 08:54 PM

Thank you for your reply. My wife has had crowns. But there is decay underneath of them. She will need a bridge because she has lost one tooth that was cemented to a post. Another tooth next to it will have to come out. This is in the lower front - hence - the bridge.

We have been told that the extensive work, if done, will require high maintenance. She is in moderate pain at night.

Thanks again for your reply.

Ted

buddee · 08-17-2006, 12:48 AM

Some people love dentures, and wish they had got them sooner. Some people hate them and say they would have spent any amount to keep their teeth. A lot of it depends on the person. Is she the kind of person that can adapt to just about anything, or is she the kind of person who can't stand change, and doesn't deal well with small discomforts? In my opinion, do whatever you can to keep your teeth. However, from your description, your wife doesn't take great care of her teeth. That is probably unlikely to change overnight, so a high maintenance plan probably isn't going to be successful in the long term. You have to consider all the factors about your wife, not only cost. If your wife won't care for $20,000 of dental work, it would be a waste of money. If she'll hate dentures, then do what you need to to save the teeth.

One idea is to ask the dentist to make a "stayplate" aka a flipper. It is a kind of temporary denture. She can wear it to replace her missing tooth for a few weeks (not too many, it will irritate gums). If she adapts well, you know she'll be okay with dentures. If she can't stand it, then you know you should move forward with the treatments to save her teeth. However, be aware that a stayplate will cost a couple hundred dollars (I can't give you a number, every dentist is different), and more than one appointment to fabricate.