Dentures or implants

[Snowsquonk]

Would welcome any thoughts on this, please.

I have bridgework which spans 4 teeth - so one tooth either end securing the bridge, which covers where two teeth are missing. I do, and have always looked after my teeth but one of the teeth securing the bridge is now infected and at some point will have to be removed. Dentist is recommending the removal of the other tooth as well as xrays show changes due to the strain it's under.

So that will leave a gap of 4 teeth at the front & side of my mouth.

I have the choice of a denture or implants. Well, I say choice - denture I can afford, implants I can't at the moment without pretty much wiping out the family savings.

DH says go for dentures. I'm 43 and associate - rightly or wrongly - dentures with old people. I haven't really been able to articulate to him how very upset and - well, if I was a man I would say emasculated, not sure what the feminine equivalent is - but how very much less of a woman I would feel wearing dentures.

I could have a denture temporarily and save up for implants but I already feel guilty for even thinking of spending the vast amount required for implants rather than spending/saving that amount for things which would benefit the whole family. But there's another part of me that thinks that me feeling "whole" and confident will benefit the whole family....

So - what would you do? Are there loads of forty-ish women silently and secretely using dentures (as my DH believes there are?)

Ahem..my name is....Shakey..and I'm a ....gulp....denture wearer :)

I'm 42 and have had a denture the last 7 years or so. Soon to be made even bigger. At present, it is only one of the front teeth but, as the three surrounding are crowns that are on their last legs (pegs?!) I have agreed to have a denture consisting of four. I have the option of bridge work but my dentist informs me that it would have a shelf life of around 5 years and that, versus, cost does not a good financial equation make to me.

I honestly don't notice the denture anymore. I don't need to use a fixener, gravity keeps it in. It's never fallen out innapropriately. Mind you I've never tried dunking apples like the couple on the advert I'm told it looks natural, the plate is not noticable etc.

So yes, your DH is quite right, there are vertiable armies of 40 (and younger) somethings out there sporting dentures.