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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have a difficult decision to make. Need MN to help me, please be gentle.

75 replies

TooYoungForThis · 08/09/2011 01:00

I will start by saying I am a reg who has name changed.

I do have a big decision to make, basically when I was pg with my youngest child I started to have dental problems.

Well it got to the stage where once I had my youngest I had 5 teeth removed, and I am left with the rest but 8 are badly damaged.

I am only in my mid 30's I have now to decide whether to have the rest out and have dentures or to carry on having them repaired one by one and run the risk of them getting worse.

I rarely smile anymore because of my teeth and when I do I do it in a way that my teeth don't show.

To some this would seem a no brainer but I feel ridiculous having to decide whether to have dentures or not at my age. Sad

OP posts:
Flowerista · 08/09/2011 08:58

Hi OP. When I was 9 i smashed out my front tooth all but a stub at the swimming pool. I endured years of agony with caps etc until I finally received a denture at 20. At the time it was like my world had ended. Who loves a girl with no front teeth? But, and here's the important bit no one noticed! At that point dentures were less sophisticated than today in terms of colour and density of materials, and the one I have currently is excellent. I share your agony that they're your teeth, but trust me when I say it'll be ok. Good luck x

Flowerista · 08/09/2011 09:02

Jasper where are you? You sound like a brilliant dentist, and given my history I am always looking for creative thinking.

squishysquashy · 08/09/2011 09:07

Can you afford implants?

fatlazymummy · 08/09/2011 09:08

I have got a top plate. I have gaps in my teeth where some had broken, including some at the front, My dentist removed the broken ones them made the plate to fill in the gaps and to match up with the teeth I kept.
TBH although I look much better and have much more self confidence, it isn't ideal. The plate isn't very comfortable, I only wear it outside the house or when I have visitors. Eating is much more difficult with it in as well. However I am thinking of saving up to have another plate made privately and that may be more comfortable.
It just depends on how you feel about your appearance ,and also how much do you suffer with your teeth? Is toothache a problem? Do you get abcesses, in which case you have to think of it as a health issue rather than an appearance one.
I would agree with the advice about trying to get a 2nd opinion if possible.

Phwooooar · 08/09/2011 09:21

I broke my front teeth age 7 and endured years of caps, etc. Now I've had an implant for one of the front teeth whilst the other is still capped. If you can possibly manage implants - or even a combination of implant/bridge - might that work? Recognise implants expensive but maybe worthwhile investment at your age?

ViviPru · 08/09/2011 09:21

Gosh OP, so sorry to hear this - only just read it after posting my highly self absorbed thread. Jasper is right - you need to discuss your options with a dentist you trust. I totally sympathise. You get given these various 'options' yet all feel like a compromise, all are budget busting. I hate my teeth so much I sometimes want them all just ripped out and to start again Sad. I've resigned myself to it now that they're the most important thing really, and I'm just going to have to go without other things to pay to get them sorted.

I really hope you find a solution.

porcamiseria · 08/09/2011 09:22

get the dentures x

onlinefriend · 08/09/2011 09:30

I have had a lot of teeth issues so i really sympathise.

I just want to reiterate what others have suggested about a second opinion.

MN is great, but tbh I think your dentist should not have left you in a position where you are asking on the internet for advice about what to do.

Can you ask about in your family for a recommendation?

I accidentally found a much better dentist by being away from home and needing emergency treatment! Instead of leaving slightly baffled the new one gave me really frank opinions about what i needed to do.

In my experience it isn't too helpful to be given open ended options, which you then have to choose between. It is a bit of a cop-out for dentists to do this when they have the experience and knowledge, not the patient.

Applemartini · 08/09/2011 09:34

Hello
I really feel for you. I lost my front teeth 2 years ago, after root canal/ crowns failed (i broke my front teeth as a kid). I opted for implants because of the front position, although it was extremely expensive. I think if you can try to save any of your teeth that would be preferable. However I had a temporary bridge while I was waiting for the implants, and I honestly don't think anyone noticed although I felt self consciouis. Could it be an option to have implants supporting dentures/ bridge? Sorry you are going through this.

yummymummy84 · 08/09/2011 12:48

I too have a denture (only 1 tooth) since having my DD and I was 23 at the time (gutted) but other teeth are also bad and having another out Monday :-( You may be able to get bridges on some of them if you have teeth either side of a gap. If none of this is possible then personally I would have all mine taken out and replaced with dentures. First visit the dentist and see which ones are worth saving. I presume dental implants are out of the question?

ceebie · 08/09/2011 13:31

It is so important to have a smile you are proud of.

Can you afford a bridge - ie is that an option you can consider? I have a bridge across a gap of 4 at the front (top), held by 2 teeth either side. These days they would not do such a big bridge but it has lasted 10 years so far and still going strong, looks great and is just like having normal teeth except for needing special dental floss to get behind it. Admittedly I didn't have to pay - my parents did as I was in my late teens. Is this option not available on the NHS?

I really think that you need to discuss the various options in a lot more detail with your dentist. For each option, find out what work would be involved, how well would it last into the future, what would the result look like, what daily 'maintenance' would you need to do, what are the positives and negatives of that option, and what would the costs be. You need proper expert advise - from someone who is familiar with all the options, and also with your teeth!!! If you are not absolutely happy with the advise given by your dentist, seek a second option before making any decisions.

jasper · 08/09/2011 22:43

if the wisdom tooth is creating a trap for plaque yes it can indeed contribute to damage/ decay to the one in front.
Nickschick, I am afraid i am a bit cynical about dental teaching hospitals and was discussing this very thing with a colleague yesterday. My experience of referring tricky cases has not been positive at all . I have probably done far more actual dentistry( being as I am , knocking on a bit ) than many of the staff there

Onlinefriend I agree with your post. I do think dentists need to give clear options but I always give my recommendation at the end of listing the options.
I know some dentists avoid doing tis for fear of being sued.

tooyoung are you any further forward in your decision making?

Kayano · 08/09/2011 22:45

My dad had his teeth out at 18 due to disease and got dentures

I had cosmetic dentistry at 22 in time for my wedding

Best decision we both ever made

I can now smile! And have since destroyed all evidence of the teeth of Ming Grin

jasper · 08/09/2011 22:47

ceebie you raise an interesting point.
I have done loads of bridges just like yours ( ALL my work is on the NHS) in the past and as far as I know they are all still going strong.
The NHS is a bit sniffy about that design these days , but with careful case selection it works well ( not necessarily for tooyoung as her gaps are different)
If I referred to the dental hospital they would not approve that type of bridge because in theory it is unstable.

worraliberty · 08/09/2011 22:49

My neighbour's daughter is 37 and she had all her teeth removed when she was 33...due to (she says) gum disease, though I suspect it's something to do with her methadone addiction.

Either way, it was uncomfortable for her at first..but now she says she's used to them and I must admit her teeth do look all perfect and lovely.

youarekidding · 08/09/2011 22:49

tooyoungforthis

I have similar severe problems with my teeth caused by reflux and aneamia. I have lost 5 teeth due to abcesses. I have had one 'saved' by RCT but it is dead and has bone loss. I have another unsavable but will be preserved - I will lose it eventually and another heading that way.

I have asked dentist about removing mine and having dentures or having some treatment as can't bare to smile. (over bite and windswept teeth too). I have been referred to orthadontist. Could you have a referral? I will probably lose them all by 40yo I would think.

worraliberty · 08/09/2011 22:50

Sorry, used to the dentures I mean.

jasper · 08/09/2011 22:51

I should really reiterate that it is impossible to advise on a specific case (OP's ) without examining the mouth but I hope all these contributions have helped a bit

TheLadyEvenstar · 08/09/2011 22:51

sod it i can't be bothered to name change.

I took some photos of my teeth last night so I could see them properly and thy are in bad condition.

I am religious about my teeth cleaning them eating the right things etc, but then I look at my families dental history and wonder if it is partly inherited. My Nan had all her teeth out before she was my age and dentures from then onwards. My brothers teeth like mine just break, although mine were fine until my 2nd pregnancy.

I am going to look around for a dentist I am comfortable with as I am petrified of them at the best of times and had to be knocked out when I had the last 3 removed as when they removed te one before that I panicked, cried, had a total panic attack and ended up collapsing Grin I am a coward!!!

shakey1500 · 08/09/2011 22:53

I am 41 and have had 3 crowns for 25 years. One of top two front teeth and both eitherside. The other front tooth is on a partial denture (was a crown but fell out) My gums have naturally receeded and the posts have been showing for a few years now affecting my smile and confidence. The dentist has been putting/fashioning a composite over the posts which improved appearance. Last week, one of the crowns finally gave up the ghost.

The dentist spoke to me about having a bridge as the incisors are fine and very strong. BUT she explained that it is a "long" bridge and would have a shelf life of around five years. Add to that the cost of around £1500, it doesn't seem like a worthwhile investment :(

So, I have decided to opt for a denture. I'm used to the partial one so hopefully the transition won't be too bad.

stripeybump · 08/09/2011 22:54

Lurking as my teeth are horrible Sad

I have a fear of dentists so despite being pregnant and so eligible for free NHS treatment, I am too afraid of being judged. I never have sugary drinks - love high protein diets and feel faint if I eat sugary food, but my teeth are just horrible despite brushing twice daily. My front 2 are ok and the 2 either side are complete but probably about to break, almost all the others on top are broken or decayed and a load on the bottom.

How easy is it to get properly sedated for dental work? If I wait til baby's out and I'm still eligible for free dentistry for a year afterwards.

SouthernFriedTofu · 08/09/2011 22:56

Sorry OP that's rubbish. Some people just seem to have no luck with their teeth. I take bad care of mine and have never had a cavity wher as poor Dh is always in pain from his teeth and has had painful root canals but is very careful withhis teeth :( I hate seeing him in pain.

I think you should get dentures and be done with it. They will look nice and not cause you pain. Tooth decay can be dangerous for your health as well.

youarekidding · 08/09/2011 22:59

jasper Sorry to jump in, I get free NHS treatment (tax credits). I have read cost of braces (which I need and have got referral) can be up to £6000? I have been referred due to medical needs. Basically I can only eat one side as my overbite is so bad I have cut up the root of my mouth with my bottom teeth and due to my jaw misalignment I can;t open my mouth enough for RCT to be carried out on a severely abcessed tooth (it's a 6). It will be preserved but not saved. I really need this sorted but the price petrifies me, and is totally out of the question. Is there any sort of alternative treatment I can ask for?

TheLadyEvenstar · 08/09/2011 23:01

I was referred to Kings Dental hospital to have them removed, simply because one was broken and when they did remove it - I had the panic attack.

The hospital then made me a further appt to remove the other 3 that needed to come out and to sedate me.

I didn't even know they had come out although I was a tad woozy afterwards until I got in the fresh air and I had a drink (water).

One dentist said the amount of medication I was on until I was 15 contributed to my dental problems.

aldiwhore · 08/09/2011 23:03

I'm unlucky with my teeth but not as unlucky as some. I am sat here with toothache now that I've had for a week because last time I went to the dentist he found the cause was simply a bit of food that had got stuck between (badly done) fillings that couldn't be reached with floss....

Right now I'm tempted to say, get them all out. Take your dentist's advice, if you're not happy with him/her, get a new dentist for a second opinion (the one extraction I had under advice turns out wasn't necessary!).

My dentist is very good, and when I say 'take them all out' and he says 'not until I have to' I trust him. However, if he advised it was the best way forward, I would go with that.

My friend has just got dentures (I THINK, or a bridge??) he's had 4 of his front teeth out, the dentures are comfy and you wouldn't know to look at him (other than he looks much better than he did) and its only when he gets drunks and starts putting them in your drink that you'd ever know... (I know gross).

Good luck and happy teeth, whether they're your own or not!

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