Dental plate - awful!

[Nicknamegoeshere]

So today I had a baby tooth removed. I'm almost 40 but I've always known that it wouldn't come out as it should as no adult tooth underneath it. It's at the front of my mouth so leaves a very visible gap. I had no choice as it had started to collapse.
Dentist has fitted me with a denture on a plate but it's seriously bloody awful. Hurts like hell, can't taste, struggling to chew.
He says I can have a bridge but best to wait six months? Not a chance I am keeping this in for that long!!
My MH was bad before (got a new baby and it is lockdown plus other things going on), but now it's at absolute rock bottom.
Anybody else have, or have had, a bloody awful plate?

Me. Tbh I was just glad I didn’t have to live with the gap at the front of my mouth or the painful tooth (removed after failed root canal treatment-3 attempts) I had had a brace as a teen, on a plate not fixed, so it was the same as that. You really will get used to it amazingly quickly. Take paracetamol regularly for the first few days whilst it settles and you get accustomed to it.

Having the bridge finally fitted was amazing though.

DD had plates for the first year of her orthodontic treatment.
She struggled to eat for a couple of days, but persevered and was fine after a week.

@Didntgetmydiamondring @TeenPlusTwenties Thanks both. I'm at an all-time low mentally today (which is even harder with a new baby). Without the plate there's a huge gap and I look horrific, but the plate is extremely uncomfortable. Just no way mentally I can wait six months before a bridge. I can't do it.

Have you spoken with Dr re your MH?
Any chance it is PND?

I'd really try to persevere for a few more days with the plate as you should hopefully get used to it. DD was in tears the first day when trying to eat, but a few days later was fine.

At least check with the dentist as to whether it is expected to be this painful in case it isn't fitted correctly?

@TeenPlusTwenties I was feeling down before this so I'm seeing my HV next weeK. But this has made matters so much worse. I can't endure six months of this! Am calling around private dentists to ask re how long I will need to wait before something can be done. If it wasn't at the front of my face then it wouldn't be a problem to wait at all, but I look terrible.

Doesn't it depend on why it's best to wait six months? It would be a shame if the reason is that if they do it now you'll have problems or need to change it sooner. My dad has multiple bridges, some are more than 35 years old and still in very good condition. It might be that it would be better to let it heal first.

Also, if you've just had the tooth out it will be more sensitive than in a week or two. Please only use reputable dentists and don't use a bad one just to get your way now and regret a bad job later.

@rorosemary Obviously I wouldn't expect to do anything immediately but I think six months is too long. I'm 39 but honestly look about 89 with a huge gap right at the front of my face. It's mentally pretty damaging. Back tooth I wouldn't mind, front tooth is very different. I look like a bloody freak.

The reason you wait 6 months is thats the time it takes for the gum and bone to heal. Following tooth removal the gum shrinks back, if you fit a bridge before this has happened you will get a poor aesthetic result with a black gap under the bridge. And most likely you will be unhappy and want it replaced

It takes about 6 weeks to adapt to wearing a plate, but you will. However it shouldnt be painful and might need some adjustment. It might also be worth seeing if your dentist can thin the plate section down so its less bulky

You can technically have a bridge fitted before 6 months but by far the best result is to wait for healing to occur. Replacing a bridge at 6 months is expensive and potentially damaging to your teeth

Also having seen many people wth missing front teeth I can garuntee it doesnt look as bad as you think. I am glad you are seeing your HV next week

My husbands just been through this.

You'll get used to the plate and then you can get your bridge.

I've recently had a denture fitted as I am in the process of getting an implant. I hate it. I've had it for about 5 weeks now and although it isn't painful anymore, I still feel really self conscious. I think I will have to have it for about 5 months. Eating is difficult but is easier than it was.

I totally understand how you are feeling.

@sunshineandshowers40 Thank you so much - it's good to know I'm not alone. I've hardly eaten anything today as it's so uncomfortable both with the plate in and without. Stressing me out as I'm exclusively breastfeeding my baby so need to take in something!

Do dentists still put in a post and cap it? I had a couple of these in my twenties and they have lasted thirty odd years.
It seems they are putting in bridges instead these days.

I really wish implants were cheaper, I have two I would like done but no way can I afford it.

@Nicknamegoeshere I didn't eat much for the first few days and try and stick to softer foods now. Had to take the denture out when I was eating my DC's Halloween Sweets. It's rubbish but as everyone keeps telling me it will be worth it in the end (I think 🤔).

@sunshineandshowers40 Thank you so much for your support. I've taken out the plate because I honestly can't stand it. Just not going to go out which isn't a problem really at the moment! Still in my pj's at gone 12 pm but my excuse is the baby is asleep on me rather than I can't be bothered as I look like a witch!

@Nicknamegoeshere I really feel for you. I had a plate with orthodontic work and at first I found it horrific. I won't list how it made me feel as dont want your brain to pick on new things it had not noticed!

However I did get used to it (a bit) and was able to wear it for 18 months. It became less obvious and I did learn to eat with it.

The more you keep it in the quicker you get used to it but I took it in and out as I could manage. That worked for me.

I am sure you do not look awful with it out but can imagine you are not happy with the look.

I found I could eat cake and chocolate

Hope it gets easier over the next few days

Ive had this. It’s absolutely pointless having a bridge too soon as it will just keep moving whilst your gums move into their permanent place under the removed tooth. You really will get used to the plate very quickly, honestly.

Plus, if you don’t keep your plate in the teeth either side of it will move towards each other and cause more problems further down the line. Try to wear it as much as possible.

@Soontobe60 Thanks. I'm putting the plate in when I go out but taking it out at home as I can't eat on it or chew/swallow and I need to eat for baby!

You really need to wear it 22+ hrs a day if you can as otherwise it will get less and less comfortable as teeth shift around. Even if you can't wear it to eat, at least try to persevere for drinks, and overnight. (Unless your dentist has advised otherwise of course).

@TeenPlusTwenties Thank you. Tbh he didn't really say. There's only one "tooth" on the plate which is replacing a baby tooth that had no roots so I don't think it's a biggy.
Also, due to other issues (not to do with baby), my MH is really poor at the moment so I'm having to balance that very carefully. The plate is bringing me down hugely when it's in and I'm better when it's out meaning that I can cope better with the demands of my five month-old. I haven't got time to slowly/carefully eat and I know I need to as baby is still fully breastfed.
I've got past the point really of giving a toss what I look like. I'm almost 40 with a partner and I don't go out so it's not like I have anybody I need to look decent for. Which is a blessing ha ha!