Dentures and surgery

[knorr]

I am a 24/7 denture wearer. I take my dentures out only to clean them, behind closed doors. Beside my dentist, nobody has seen me without my denture, including my husband and children.

Now my biggest fear has come true! I will be having surgery in the next few weeks, and I understand that I will have to remove my denture during surgery!

I am mortified at the thought of the doctor/nurses seeing me without my teeth...but even more horrified that they'll let my husband into the recovery room before they give me my denture!

Why exactly do they want you to remove your denture? Are they afraid that it will become loose and may obstruct your airway during surgery?

If I have no choice but to give them my denture - how do I address the issue that I would like it back before they let anyone into the recovery room???

I know it sounds vain and shallow.....but this is stressing me even more than the surgery! The only person that has seen me without my denture is my dentist, and I'm not even comfortable with that.

Any thoughts or first hand experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Sandybeech]

They make you remove your dentures in order to protect your airway. They do not want them coming loose during surgery or get damaged when they put the breathing tube into your throat.

I have heard that patients can request that their dentures be returned to them as soon as they are able to swallow and their gag reflex has returned.

A friend whom I chat with is an operating room nurse and denture wearer and she says they try to comply with the patients wishes when ever it is possible. The one concern they always have about the patient getting as far as the prep area for the operating room with their dentures in place is when they are removed, they cannot guarantee security of them. They suggest they be left in the patients room or with a family member.

As far as what the doctors and nurses will think of you without your teeth- no less than when you have them in. She tells me they are so clinically detached from things like a person without their dentures or a cancer patient without their wig- they treat all patients with dignity and respect. You will be treated the same way.

As far as how to deal with your husband and this sensitive issue, maybe it is time to have a long talk with him. Tell him your reasons for not letting him see you without your teeth and ask what his feelings would be if he saw you that way. My husband sees me without mine every night, it was something we talked about before it was a done deal and we have not changed our thoughts or love for one another. I trust him.

Have you discussed your dentures with your surgeon? It might be a good idea to mention your concerns before you are at the hospital.

Concentrate on getting well-

Sandy

[knorr]

Thanks for your response Sandy - it was definately helpful.

My husband is a wonderful guy.....loves me unconditionally, even on my worst days. The issue with him seeing me without my denture is my problem, not his. I just can't bring myself to let anyone see me without it. I feel like it ages me by 10+ years. I say that "I'm too young, to look this old." I've had the denture for just over 2 years, and I'm not any more comfortable looking at myself now than I was when I first got them at age 43.
I guess I should at least talk to my husband before the surgery, and let him know that it is possible that he might see me without the denture....at least then he'll be prepared. I will also talk to the nurses before the surgery and request that the denture be returned to me as soon as possible.
I know it sounds silly to be worried about such a thing - but I just can't seem to help myself!
Anyway, thanks once again for your response - I do appreciate it.

Valerie

[hypatia]

I remember gaining consciousness after surgery and pleading for my dentures, which the nurses promptly gave me--so you are not alone, if it's any comfort. Question, though: Do you not take your dentures out at night?

[knorr]

Hypatia,
No, I don't take my denture out at night... I know there's quite a bit of controversy over taking them out to rest your gums, but I know of many others who are like me, and leave them in all the time with the exception of cleaning. I can't stand the feeling of not having them in my mouth - actually I find it uncomfortable - almost as if not having the support from my denture, pulls on my sinuses and makes it harder to breathe thru my nose.
Thanks for your response - I'm sure I'll regain consciousness and beg for my denture too!!!

Valerie