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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask for your experience with dentures.

27 replies

5foot5 · 13/07/2018 15:51

Posted on here for traffic really.

Unfortunately it looks as though I will shortly be losing a tooth.
It is one of my front teeth so obviously I want to fill the gap.

The dentist said that I would have to wear a temporary "immediate" denture for 3 - 6 months after the extraction until the gum had healed and everything had shrunk in to shape. After that I can consider the permanent options (permanent denture, bridge or implant) but for the first few months it has to be this denture.

So I am not talking a full plate here just an individual tooth. However, I have never had one and don't know anyone who has who I can ask.

Basically I am wondering how long it takes to get used to it? Is it difficult to eat normally at first? Are they easy to put in and take out and how do you make them stay in?

OP posts:

Kezzabeeboo · 13/07/2018 16:09

Hi 5foot5, I lost my front tooth 10 years ago. I walked into a door and like you needed to have the temporary denture until the gum returned to normal. I didn't need any adhesive as it suctioned perfectly to the roof of my mouth, nor did it move about or fall out. Admittedly, the first few weeks were a nightmare. I spoke with a lisp and it was quite uncomfortable to eat with, but you will get used to that and you'll develop a way of eating comfortably. Do avoid anything that is too sticky, toffee and chewing gum are a no no. You'll find that the denture will loosen after a month or two once the swelling has gone, so have some back up adhesive ready. Oh, and if you have a dog make sure you keep the denture safe. My dog managed to get mine as I slept, so I had to go back to the dentist with a big scarf around my head and request another

ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow · 13/07/2018 16:16

It should soon settle. I have a plate with 4 teeth, and can eat chewing gum just fine, even toffee (but rarely do, out of choice).

Top tip: if you have developed a stomach bug and are vomiting over the toilet bowl, do remove your plate before you heave. most expensive meal ever

Original poster

5foot5 · 13/07/2018 16:18

Thanks Kezzabeeboo.
Do you mind me asking if you stuck with a denture after the healing period or go for one of the other options?

OP posts:

AjasLipstick · 13/07/2018 16:19

I've had the single tooth denture for 4 years OP and it's ok. If I could afford it though, I'd have an implant. It's hard work eating certain things and they do break if you're not careful.

StillMedusa · 13/07/2018 16:22

I have a flexible partial denture, to replace two teeth removed in error by the dentist!! (I had trigeminal neuralgia but before it was dx the dentist thought it must be my teeth :/ )
No plate, it's more expensive than a regular denture but just slots in..tiny, invisible.

Unfortunately I managed to put it through a 60 degree wash a few weeks ago and it has changed shape so I now need another made ££££!!! I can't have a bridge due to the gap, nor risk implants due to the TN but the little flexible denture is great.

RoseMartha · 13/07/2018 16:25

The fear of it is worse that actually having it. Mine are a bit loose now and had them a year. Need to be relined at some point . Have two incisors and a pre molar on upper plate. I can bite into more things now than I could with my own teeth. Can't bite into things like apples though .

Cinderbelly · 13/07/2018 16:49

My teeth suffered badly throughout all my pregnancies and despite having bridges and crowns for pregnancies 1-2 by pregnancy 4 most of the top ones had crumbled so now I've got a partial denture for the top row of my teeth. I've got 5 of my own back ones on top - the rest are in the plate.
Couldn't have the screw ins as I have low bone density. I'm 35 and have had the denture for 4.5 years.

They are uncomfortable for the first few days. My dentist advised to leave them in all the time for the first few weeks (I used fixture cream at night) as the more you wear them the quicker you get used to the plate.
Talk / sing aloud a lot (helps the lisp to go) in the first few days / weeks - I struggled with 's' in particular.
I found that it was harder mentally to have the plate more than anything else, maybe that was my age?
I'm very open about it now though - it is what it is and all that!

Original poster

5foot5 · 13/07/2018 17:05

Thanks for the tips.

It is a tooth that was crowned many years ago after treatment for an abcess. However, it came loose recently and when I went to see the dentist he cemented it back in but said that since the underlying tooth is so decayed (I had no idea!) I could not consider this as anything other than a temporary solution as the crown could easily come loose again or come out altogether.

I think I just want to bite the bullet (well not literally that would be a BAD idea in the circumstances!) and go ahead and get it done rather than risk the crown coming out at an inconvenient moment.

Long term I am still not sure what I will do. I am half hoping that the denture wearing goes OK and I am happy to stick with that solution. I could probably afford an implant but the thought of having it done hives me the willies!

OP posts:

AjasLipstick · 13/07/2018 17:09

Same here OP....crown that turned problematic.

Get the denture, you will talk oddly for a day, then that goes away. I don't use the adhesive as it does fit fine without coming out. If I'm going to be talking in public I do though..or going out for dinner!

Original poster

5foot5 · 13/07/2018 17:10

One other question. I know this is a long shot but do any of you play a wind instrument and, if so, how was that affected by the denture?

OP posts:

Boulshired · 13/07/2018 17:15

I have a bridge but this was before implants. Knocked out teeth playing sport. It is over 30 years old and never really had a problem with it. It does destroy the teeth in the same way as a crown. I never had to wear a plate though, they removed teeth put a temporary bridge on whilst the made the permanent bridge.

AjasLipstick · 13/07/2018 17:16

No I don't OP but I imagine it would be affected. Sometimes, if I speak fast, or blow out a breath strongly, the denture will shift.

Flucker · 13/07/2018 17:23

I had a partial plate before having a bridge and the only problem I had with pronouncing my S's, which I do still have from time to time but no so that others would notice.

I'm having to face up to the idea that I'm gonna have to get a plate for my bottom fronts now because of receded gums. There is nothing more I can do now and I have tried absolutely everything :-( I've always tried to take good care of my teeth but they haven't repaid me very well. I can't have a bridge on the bottom as there's nothing on one side to anchor it to. It will be fine OP but it will take some getting used to

Kezzabeeboo · 13/07/2018 21:26

I am stuck with a permanent denture at the mo, purely because I can't afford to get an implant. A bridge is unsuitable because the neighbouring tooth is a crown. I live with it, however sometimes it causes the odd headache and it makes me self conscious when I speak to people. I'm always paranoid it will flip out, yet it hasn't done yet. If I had the money I'd get rid of it as soon as I could.

dementedma · 13/07/2018 21:34

I have a temporary plate at the moment after my bridge broke. It is my 4 top front teeth. I HATE it! It affects my speech, my confidence and how I eat. It's easy to put in and take out but you have to peel all the rubbery adhesive off the top of your mouth.
I am due to have a new plate soon consisting of just two teeth and the other two will be crowns either side so that will be smaller. also it will be wire, rather than a chunk of pink plastic. Ultimately I will save up for implants. Sorry but I find it hard to have a denture!

I also have a question though...has anyone indulged in serious snogging with a denture and does it stay put?? I'm not joking. The opportunity hasn't arisen yet but it might and I'm nervous in case it comes out or something, or feels horrible

SisterMoonshine · 13/07/2018 21:42

I'm happy with my 4 front teeth denture, but also want to know about snogging

Wishiwaswonderwoman87 · 13/07/2018 21:51

I would suggest an implant if you can afford it as you say. Yes its not fun getting it in but in the long run should be the least problematic and return you to a normal life.

I work in dentistry.

LordNibbler · 13/07/2018 21:51

@dementedma I have a full denture, but had a partial before that. It was top four front teeth. Yes serious snogging can dislodge the denture so make sure you use a good fixative. You don't want to be worried your denture will come loose. I use poligrip ultra which gives a really firm fix.
The other thing I'd say is that kissing can feel quite different with a denture, the sensitivity of the kiss is a bit lost because you can't feel someones lips and tongue in the same way. It takes a bit of getting used to and once you feel more confident and not anxious about loosening dentures youll relax and enjoy it just like before.

dementedma · 13/07/2018 21:53

lord will the other person find it horrible to the touch?

LordNibbler · 13/07/2018 21:59

@dementedma I did ask them if they found it strange or unpleasant. I was all full of worry and stressing about it. But they said it didn't feel any different to them at all.

everyonesmom · 13/07/2018 22:06

I have a partial top denture and am about to lose another tooth so having an extra one added to my plate. Can't have implants so stuck with denture. Plus side is no gaps in my mouth and mine is a really good fit so never needed the fixing stuff. My husband says he can't feel it when snogging or anything else that involves me using my mouth. Never get mouth ulcers anymore either for some reason and had loads previously. Bad points is I think it does numb your tense sensors so food sometimes doesn't taste as good, you can't have gum or chewy sweets or they get stuck on fixings. I hate the metal fix grip but am having it changed to a white one. At the end of the day it's ok and better than no teeth at the back of my mouth and I liken it to taking your bra off at the end of the day....when you take your denture out everything relaxes. Hope it goes well for you OP.

Birdsgottafly · 13/07/2018 22:11

I can't get used to mine and dream about being able to afford implants.

They stop me from wanting to date, as well.

many people under 60, feel exactly the same.There was a thread on here about having dentures early in life.

LordNibbler · 13/07/2018 22:30

I agree with Birdsgottafly, it's very hard to get used to dentures. Especially when you're younger. I was told by the dentist at 30 that my teeth were loosening and gums receding. I had lots of treatment and many a painful hygenist session. But I was told in the end that even though my teeth were in perfect condition that I was going to lose them. They said it was probably genetic. I felt very angry. And the tought of dentures embarassed me. Anyway by the age of 38 I had the front four removed and a partial put in. And I found it quite easy to deal with. But by the age of 45 it was pretty obvious the rest of my teeth needed to come out. They were so loose I couldn't actually eat properly and the sensitivity was horrendously painful. I had them all out under a general and the temporaries put in while I was still under. I will say this, they were horrible and didn't fit in any way shape or form. These were the NHS ones. In the end I had a totally new set made by an actual denture maker privately. I designed the kind of teeth I'd always dreamed of, and so white, like film stars teeth. I tell you what, my smile felt like a million dollars. I'd say going private, though exspensive was the best thing I ever did. I smile ALL the time these days. Something I couldn't do for years. I wish I'd had all sorts of information about dentures before I had my teeth out. There isn't much practical advice out there, especially for young people. It's quite a big and embarassing thing to go through.

lucydogz · 13/07/2018 22:39

I've got partials top and bottom. Just fitted. I hate eating with them. It's really uncomfortable and you can't taste the food.

Notcontent · 13/07/2018 22:41

I am not a dentist but I understand that one of the major drawbacks with dentures and bridges is that over time you will lose bone density in that part of your jaw, which can lead to than sunken look that some older people get if they have lost teeth. An implant stops that happening.

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