Help! I am having all my teeth pulled, dentures at 39 (scared) - Dental Health Message Board

liddylou1 · 09-25-2008, 04:20 PM

HiI found this wonderful site by accident but so glad I did.* I really do need some advise, help, encouragment!* I am 39 years old and due to advanced periodontal disease I have to have all 28 of my teeth pulled and have immediate dentures!* I have come to terms with the fact that I need to have this proceedure but am feeling so scared.* I am having this done under general next Thursday and I feel sick, frightened and worst of all keep having nightmares about how I will look without my new teeth in.* I am convinced I will see my new gummy self and just have a nervous breakdown or something!!* I do not generally suffer from depression but dont think I am too far off it?* Is is normal to feel this anxious?* I am not so worried about the pain but the fear of the unknown is driving me nuts.* Just to make things worse I have never been under general before so that is scaring me as well.* How have other people found looking at themselves with not teeth, do you just accept it or is it really as bad as I am thinking.* I really would appreciate any advice, help etc. I need to calm down....thanks so much x x* x

bergerbaby · 09-26-2008, 09:45 AM

hi i know exactly how your feeling*hug* i got a denture with 3 teeth on it and one at back.
i do get conscious of it at times ,but lucky enough quite a lot of people dont relaise i got a denture

i am at the moment having terrible trouble with my bottom teeth ,and it seems also i am under same dialema about having all my bottom teeht out too ,and it also petrifies me too
i am in lot of pain and discomfort ,but trying to persavere in hope the dental hospital can do something rather me having to have them all out which i am also near to a break down
which i have suffered years ago with my top teeth

if you can afford it why dont you ask for the best dentures that look more natural looking?
as ive seen loads people who wear dentures and they look really good thats what i will do if i have to have all my bottom teeth out

all the advice i can give you really is you have a date and there isnt anything you can do about it and once it has been done and it will take you a while to get used to them
but another way to think about it no more pain or no more expenses going to dentist any more also you can take them out
no one need know you got them i never take mine out only when im alone indoors

what you might need is adhesive for dentures for the bottom teeth at least ,lots dont need them or use it as they persavere with them and dont need the adhesive the bottom dentures are going to be the hardest to get used to but persavere and you get there

please come back once youve had it done let me know how you got on and how your getting on with them

as i also will need your support if i have to have all dentures at bottom

take care and hope you get on ok and as for the anestetic dont worry you wont feel a thing they will make sure you are numbed up enough or if your being put asleep to do it you wotn feel a thing

take care

Tim in MA · 10-01-2008, 12:29 PM

liddylou1 - have they tried any other procedures to save your teeth? How advanced is the disease? Are teeth loose?..have you lost any yet? If not, I would STRONGLY reccomend getting a 2nd opinion (and 3rd if necessary) before you get your teeth pulled.

For what it's worth, i'm 30 and am also suffering from this disease. I've been diagnosed as stage 3 (1 is the least worst, 4 is the worst). My pockets are around 4mm - 8mm. I didn't find out I had this disease till about 2 years ago. I've been through multiple specialists trying different treatments. This morning I had LANAP done (laser assisted new attachment procedure). They use the laser to zap the bad tissue, then they do a deep root planing & scaling to remove the tartar/plaque, then they use the laser again on the gum to assist with the healing. Evidence has been shown that in many cases, this treatment can asisst with bone and tissue actually regrowing. Pockets are supposed to shrink on average by 50%. I've researched this procedure for months - talked to many dentists and specialists around the US, as well as patients who have had it done. Everything I can see is that this is the real deal. People in much worse condition than me have had it done and they've been able to stablize the disease and keep their teeth. I'd try to find someone in your area who is certified on this procedure and get them to give you a 2nd opion. If you contact Millenium Dental Technologies, they will tell you who is certified to do this in your area.

Regarding your anxiety and nervousness, you're not alone. This has been stressing the heck out of me and like you, I want to keep my teeth. For me, it's heretitary - my Dad has this and had all his teeth pulled when he was in his 50s. It's really depressing. I've been trying to put things into perspective though. Teeth are functional and cosmetic, but you can function and live a normal life with Dentures. Imagine losing your eye sight, hearing, or losing a limb or something instead. It could be much worse.

Good luck. Keep us posted on your outcome.

bergerbaby · 10-02-2008, 08:57 AM

tim,they dont have lanap in britain as yet,not that i am aware of anyway
but on 20th this month ,i am having deep scale plain cleaning done on my gums,
do you think that will help my mobile teeth get stronger ??

Tim in MA · 10-02-2008, 11:06 AM

Hard to tell. For me, root planing & scaling only made things temporarily better, then I was back into the same condition (if not worse) 6 months later. If your gums reattach after the procedure and pockets start shrinking, you're making progress. I would definitely still seek a 2nd and 3rd opinion though before having all of your teeth yanked. There might be some other options to save them or at least prolong the life.

Have you tried supplements to help? I have been taking a multivitamin, COQ10, Vitamin C, and Fish Oil pills daily. It seemed to help with the bleeding and gum sensitivity a little bit. Now my dentist has me on some stronger vitamins called nutraceuticals made by Pharmaden.