[brittneyscott]

I had a dentist appt. today to discuss some work being done to my teeth. My front teeth on top are really bad with cavities coming from the gumline. I thought that we'd be able to do veneers, caps/crowns, or something to fix MY teeth but the dentist suggested dentures. He said with the cavities coming from the gumline that the teeth were likely to be damaged more or knocked out even if fillings or other work improved their appearance for now. His suggestion was to remove all my top teeth and get a full upper denture. I don't know what to think. I don't want dentures and I feel horrible about it. I feel bad that my teeth are in such horrible condition and I'm even having to consider dentures being as young as I am. I just don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Would it be horrible to have dentures in your 20s? Is there any way I can get around this? I just don't know what to do.

 

[425lisamarie]

Well first of all get over feeling bad, really! Whatever reason your teeth are unhealthy on the top, it's done, so now you need to worry about getting healthy. You could get a second opinion. My mom has had full upper dentures for about a year now and her health vastly improved after. She had so many teeth with short roots and that were week that she risked some of them not holding.

she has the most beautiful smile, I'm jealous! And cost wise you may want to compare too. IS it the fact that you feel like you won't have any teeth? Because when I look in the mirror mine look pretty good but I have 3 crowns, one being a root canal, soon to be 4 crowns and a few fillings

. I used to feel like crap but fortunately I have a good dentist and I laugh with the gals who work there, one of whom has 9 crowns and a few root canals LOL!

Functionaly there may be more of an adjustment with your denture healing in to your gums and such, but cost, time, etc it may be the best thing for you. But if you are worried about it get a second opinion for sure.

ETA: BTW, FAR more people than you think have them, it's just that fortunately these days it can be very private with all the new technology of making them. You wouldn't believe how real they look and feel. If it makes you feel better, I didn't know my FIL had them until I knew him for 5 years

 

[flowers]

Dentist stuff is a hot topic around here. We just had to deal with a few things. I cope by getting a second opinion (or 3rd or 4th) until I feel completely informed and feel like the answer is obvious. I am in no rush to get answers and just take one decision at a time. I focus on the visit and making sure I ask the best questions and I would not have any work done until I feel that it is the best situation.

Good luck!

 

[brittneyscott]

Thanks. I know cost wise this is a way cheaper option than the extensive work that would have to be done (and may not really hold). I think I was just shocked by the suggestion considering I'm still in my 20s. I feel bad about my teeth being in such horrible condition... like I should have stopped it somehow. My teeth (whats left of them lol) are pretty pearly white and clean but I still have the gumline decay on the top teeth that I haven't been able to prevent for some reason. Its more psychological than anything. I think I may go get a second opinion to be sure this is the best solution. Its just so permanent and I can't change it once its done.

 

[mazajo]

My DH got dentures when he was 18. I'm jealous of his teeth. They're perfect. And you would never guess they are dentures. I've had some painful tooth problems in the past couple years and I've actually considered asking for dentures myself.

As for feeling bad about the condition of your teeth, you really shouldn't. A lot of the damage was done before you really understood how to take care of your teeth, and I'm pretty sure genes play a part too. Antibiotics can take a toll on one's teeth, and I'm sure other meds do too.

 

[rayo de sol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brittneyscott I don't want dentures and I feel horrible about it. I feel bad that my teeth are in such horrible condition and I'm even having to consider dentures being as young as I am.

Hugs, brittneyscott!! (Sorry, my smileys are not working.) I totally know how you feel, and my heart goes out to you. I've also had major dental problems from a young age, and my teeth look absolutely horrible. I think it's understandable that you would be upset about this--it's a huge potential loss, physically and emotionally.

My opinion is to RUN away from that dentist who told you to get dentures. Get a second opinion from a different dentist.

And read this thread on healing cavities with nutrition: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=399989

There might still be hope that you can heal your decay with changing your diet and avoid drilling AND dentures.

And maybe research the complications that can arise with dentures. I think that once the teeth are pulled, the jaw bone starts to lose bone.

 

[425lisamarie]

What kind of constructiveness would telling her to "RUN" away from this dentist achieve? Maybe he is in fact a good dentist and feels it is the best medically speaking? Of course it sounds horrid the first time you hear it, but it's really not as bad as it is made to sound!

But of course, a second opinion would be a good idea

 

[rayo de sol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie What kind of constructiveness would telling her to "RUN" away from this dentist achieve? Maybe he is in fact a good dentist and feels it is the best medically speaking?

1) Like I said, that's my opinion.

2) The dentist could have wonderful intentions and still be giving out horribly wrong advice.

3) With the little information that was given in the OP, my gut feeling was that this dentist's advice is more extreme than sounds necessary.

 

[Porcelain Interior]

My sister got top dentures in her late 20's.

She smoked and had poor nutrition for several years and her teeth just started to decay. Her top teeth started to become a little loose, and the dentist suggested root planing I think it's called. She had several thousands done with root canals, cavities, and getting the plaque off under the gumline.

Her teeth still went to hell. The dentist warned her that it was all probably in vain, and she got them all pulled and now has a beautiful comfortable smile.

Dental problems really do affect your self esteem, and your overall health.

I wouldn't feel bad now if I were you, what's done is done. Genetic- or whatever your reasons for having teeth problems doesn't matter now.

If you do get dentures you need to know that no one is going to know unless you tell them. You can't tell.

It was very emotional for my sister, but she feels and looks so much better now.

I would get a second opinion before making any decision.

 

[425lisamarie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayo de sol 1) Like I said, that's my opinion. 2) The dentist could have wonderful intentions and still be giving out horribly wrong advice. 3) With the little information that was given in the OP, my gut feeling was that this dentist's advice is more extreme than sounds necessary.

Well you must have sixth sense

.

 

[sisteeesmama]

I have kind of two sides of this story.

About 4 years ago my 28yo DH got partial dentures, which is what I assume your dentist meant, right, not full dentures?
Anyway, I think it was the right choice for us at the time, we didn't know any better and he had been dealing with SEVERE decay for about a decade from serious neglect on his parents part and then eventually his own, I guess from lack of being shown the right way.
Anywho, he has em, he likes em fine, his teeth look boatloads better and thats that.

Now, speed forward to two months ago and my dd who is 15mo has cavities in her top front teeth and the dentist wants to put her under GA to fill them and I begin looking into alternatives and find out that the diet stuff a pp mentioned really does help and even change things or atleast halt things and keep them from progressing and new problems to arise.

So I think if you get the dentures you should still look into the dietary things because it could be the difference between partials and full dentures.

Also, you could get a second opinion or a third opinion or go see at least a reputable holistic dentist to see how they see the situation.

I think you have lots of opitions and I would explore them.

best of luck

 

[rayo de sol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie Well you must have sixth sense .

I'm not quite sure how one is supposed to interpret this comment, but I feel insulted.

:

 

[Phantaja]

Well, britneyscott, I say....lucky you! I actually want a full upper denture. Instead I need crowns and bridges and all sorts of other not much fun stuff. Now you'll have a set of perfect, pretty, white teeth, that won't ever get a cavity. Tell me again what the downside is?

PS- I'm 26

 

[rayo de sol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisteeesmama Also, you could get a second opinion or a third opinion or go see at least a reputable holistic dentist to see how they see the situation.

Totally!

I forgot to mention the idea of a holistic dentist before, but I'm looking for one myself via this organization.

And I've heard this book is really good: Cure Tooth Decay.

 

[SmoothieMom]

My husband's front 4 teeth were knocked out (playing hockey) when he was 17, I didn't even realize he had dentures until he told me after dating him for MONTHS.

They look perfectly natural and he has never had any issues with them.

Maybe get a second opinion if you are not completely trusting of your dentists advice, but it will be okay. Teeth health are related to overall heath, getting rid of the bad teeth can improve your health.

 

[sisteeesmama]

I wanted to add that I think dentures for me would be a last resort, it is so permanent, there is no going back except if you consider implants to be going back. I know my husband is glad to have teeth he bite an apple with, but it doesn't sound like you have that sort of problem. And I know my husband isn't psyched about the dentures like some pp have thought they would be.

I also am personally surprised a the responses saying just trust your dentist(paraphrasing), or that you are in a way lucky to be getting dentures(if you decide to). I mean this is MDC, not cafemom or somewhere where I would expect blind trust to be advocated. Aren't we more liberated over here, don't we know to question convention?

Maybe it's just me.

 

[425lisamarie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisteeesmama I wanted to add that I think dentures for me would be a last resort, it is so permanent, there is no going back except if you consider implants to be going back. I know my husband is glad to have teeth he bite an apple with, but it doesn't sound like you have that sort of problem. And I know my husband isn't psyched about the dentures like some pp have thought they would be. I also am personally surprised a the responses saying just trust your dentist(paraphrasing), or that you are in a way lucky to be getting dentures(if you decide to). I mean this is MDC, not cafemom or somewhere where I would expect blind trust to be advocated. Aren't we more liberated over here, don't we know to question convention? Maybe it's just me.

No one is saying "just trust your dentist." And there is a difference between watching slow decay and "trying" to cure it with nutrition, and ignoring serious damage because some holistic folks say it can be done. I mean there has to be a median.

Though I cannot imagine anyone thinking one was lucky for having to have such a procedure.

 

[Bri'sgirl]

Sometimes I wish I could have something drastic like that. I watch my SIL, who got FULL upper and lower dentures last year, take a bite of a raw veggie, and I am jealous. I cannot eat raw veggies well because of cold and hot sensitivites, cracks and cavities, crowns that are about to fall out, etc. I cannot drink cold liquids or even brush my teeth with tepid water.

I think that there might be a point of no return, that no matter how much you change your diet, it cannot sufficiently heal your teeth to a satisfactory condition. And I'm not talking cosmetic or just how your teeth look. I'm talking the health and overall condition of your teeth and eating ability. Do what you feel is best for you.

 

[sisteeesmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bri'sgirl Sometimes I wish I could have something drastic like that. I watch my SIL, who got FULL upper and lower dentures last year, take a bite of a raw veggie, and I am jealous. I cannot eat raw veggies well because of cold and hot sensitivites, cracks and cavities, crowns that are about to fall out, etc. I cannot drink cold liquids or even brush my teeth with tepid water. I think that there might be a point of no return, that no matter how much you change your diet, it cannot sufficiently heal your teeth to a satisfactory condition. And I'm not talking cosmetic or just how your teeth look. I'm talking the health and overall condition of your teeth and eating ability. Do what you feel is best for you.

I totally agree, that there is a point where you have gone to far and there is probably nothing holistic you can do.
But the op said she never thought her teeth were as bad as this one person made them out to be and to me that would be suspicious.

 

[eclipse]

My husband had all his upper teeth pulled almost a year ago and got a full top denture. It was very painful for him for a few weeks, and the dentures looked awful for a couple of month (kinda horse toothed, if I'm being honest.) He was really miserable about them for a couple of months, thinking he'd made the wrong decision. Once his gums healed and the swelling went down and the pain went away, though, he loved them. He's gained so much confidence, it's incredible. It was absoloutely the right decision for him, as his teeth were so, so bad.