Dentures or not?? - Dental Health Message Board

ronda13 · 02-26-2007, 05:23 PM

My husband who is 37 finally went to the dentist today and the dentist told him that he would probably need to get all his teeth pulled and get dentures. He is terrified of this. He went on line today and all the sites he found were against dentures, that they will make you look older sooner and they wish they didnt do it. His teeth are bad and he really needs the dentures. He had never really been to the denist before today and I will probsbly never get him to go back. What can I do to try to ease his fears and get him to realize that dentures are the way to go? Please any help or at least give me some positive stories about them that I can show to him....thank you. Ronda

mschrief · 04-21-2007, 06:12 PM

I just had my top teeth pulled on 4/17 and received my immediate dentures the same day. Two weeks before I had three teeth pulled, then a week after that impressions. I am totally pleased with my new smile!

I understand how your hubby feels. I HATE HATE HATE going to the dentist, because my teeth were so bad and I could literally SEE the money signs in his eyes. I had so much pain from my gums and teeth over the years....I just wish I had gotten dentures 10 years ago. I would have saved a LOT of money spent on teeth that were never going to be viable.

Tell that man of yours to get dentures. He'll be sore for a while, but then, NO MORE pain.

Best thing I ever did.

Lenin · 04-22-2007, 05:45 AM

ronda,

A whole wing of my family had HORRIBLE teeth and most had them pulled in their teens. NONE of them has ever regretted the decision and for some of them a many decades have passed. I grew up with them (all older than I) and never even DREAMED they all had false teeth.
I had a very close uncle who had false teeth upper and lowers and only when he died at age 70 did I find out he had false teeth. He even SLEPT with them so his WIFE in the same bed for half a century never saw him toothless.

People who get denture younger seems to do better with them.

Of course, most dentists have the $$$$AVE EVERY TOOTH MENTALITY...for one obvious reason...they get to charge and charge and charge over and over again for each tooth.

Vergie · 04-22-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mschrief

I just had my top teeth pulled on 4/17 and received my immediate dentures the same day. Two weeks before I had three teeth pulled, then a week after that impressions. I am totally pleased with my new smile!

I understand how your hubby feels. I HATE HATE HATE going to the dentist, because my teeth were so bad and I could literally SEE the money signs in his eyes. I had so much pain from my gums and teeth over the years....I just wish I had gotten dentures 10 years ago. I would have saved a LOT of money spent on teeth that were never going to be viable.

Tell that man of yours to get dentures. He'll be sore for a while, but then, NO MORE pain.

Best thing I ever did.

HI,

i'M GOING THRU THE SAME PROCESS TOO MYSELF. i'D LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION THOUGH, IF YOU DON'T MIND....wHEN YOU TOOK THE IMPRESSIONS, HOW MANY REMAINING TEETH DID YOU HAVE, at the time of the impressions???? I had my molars removed first, and I'm waiting for 2-3 weeks for that healing belfore I go in for my impressions...Unfortunatley I only have 4 front teeth left on my uppers. I just wonder how the Lab can make a copy of my mouth with only 4 remaing teeth. I'm so puzzzled!! I also have a overbite which concerns me, but according to the dentist he can fix that thru the making of the dentures. I'm so SCARED!!! Any help out there to reduce my anxiety would be a Blessing.

Sandybeech · 04-22-2007, 09:43 AM

Getting dentures at any age is a huge undertaking. You must remain positive and try to learn as much as you can about dentures and the denture process before you committ to a plan. They are not easy to deal with mentally or physically- you have to have a dentist who is highly skilled at making dentures (although most are made in dental labs), one who is compassionate and can read your emotional state as well as the conditions in your mouth. You need good support at home and with friends. You cannot let people add guilt to your situation.

Dentures are not the end of the world. There are probably more people out there in your own community wearing dentures and living life to the fullest. It is quite easy to get swayed by all the negativity surrounding dentures but for most they are better by far than what has been removed. This country is obsessed with pretty white straight healthy teeth and gums and all of that comes with a price- neglect is not the only reason a person loses their teeth.

A good dentist and a motivated patient can make dentures work extremely well, they can restore function and self esteem very quickly to a person.

My advice to you is to do your homework, talk to friends and relatives and who knows, you may get lucky as I did- and find a close family friend and long time denture wearer to guide you along. One who will let you ask all of your questions, one who is not afraid to take the time to explain and to demonstrate how dentures work.

As far as how the dentist can construct dentures when you have so few teeth- they use what they are given- the existing teeth and anatomy of your face to make something both attractive to look at and something functional. It may not be what you remember from 20 years ago but it has to be better than what is there now.

Sandy