I got my dentures on Friday

[BedisBliss]

I just wanted to post this as I have read and responded to so many similar threads and want to give anyone like me some hope!
Long to short - at 17 I was accused of not brushing my teeth properly by my dentist. Years passed, with one memorable encounter at 30 something when a young thing asked me if I wanted her to teach me how to brush my teeth. (I declined) Fast forward to 42 and I was finally diagnosed as having gum disease which was probably genetic and out of my control. Teeth had no plaque but gums were a mess.From then on, I went into decline - my lovely teeth wobbled and were taken out, mostly due to abscess, one by one. I had a gappy, toothed smile as all the front ones had drifted as the back ones were removed and the gum receded. I had ten teeth left in my upper jaw and I cried a lot and never smiled. At 53 I now have dentures - it happened on Friday. Yeah, it was awful getting them pulled out, yeah, I have a lisp BUT it was worth it and I know I'm so much happier and smiling! Also, it's day 4 and my speech will return to normal soon and my gums will harden and feel less sore. SOOOOO....to the other 'me' out there who is having nightmares about their teeth falling out and being self-conscious beyond belief....dentures are actually ok!

abs

I’m heading that way too OP. Thanks for your post, it’s helpful and I’m glad your happy with them.

Im 55 and have also been told regularly that my teeth are fine, gums not so fine. It is genetic and I also smoked.

Raynaud’s disease runs in our family I wonder if that affects it?

Thanks for reply OP. I will earmark some savings for that purpose as don't have an NHS dentist. I hope I have a few years to go but who knows. Mine is genetic mainly and I have never smoked although one dentist asked me if I was a heavy smoker. My mum and daughter have similar issues

Thank you to all those further ahead with this for all your positive posts - they have given me a real boost. Day 5 and I'm healing nicely and the discomfort I had at the front is easing. Went to dentist yesterday and he was happy I'm not Fixodent dependent and that the fit is good. He said I smiled as I walked in and for once it wasn't an awkward one. I think dentures are a bit like contacts and you have to learn how to put them in. He gave me another lesson yesterday and my technique has improved and I had no soreness today putting them in. To those behind me - I just wanted to reassure you that I understand all the horrors and the dark thoughts but so far I'm thinking this was such a good move for me and I feel a weight has lifted and my confidence has soared. (I only now realise how much my teeth were getting me down.) Any questions you have please get in touch - there is life after dentures!!

So glad for you! And Thankyou so much for sharing, really lovely. Love that you smiled as you walked into the dentist, too!

Gum disease has got a significantly genetic component. I am a dental nurse. You really should do your research as you are completely wrong and clearly very ignorant @NCB2022

Wanted to give an update for anyone out there...I am still smiling! I just got my 'proper' set of upper dentures fitted, the ones we could take real impressions for with no teeth in place. They are amazing and really fit my face, if you know what I mean? I am happy and don't even think I need the implant scenario (which is expensive and I want my house done up more). I caught myself the other day telling a pupil to smile and gave him a big grin to illustrate - no way would I have done that before!! So, to anyone who finds this thread - it's a huge thing, it does have a recovery time but it is so worth it.

Hi BedisBliss, ive got a partial top denture, but the rest of my teeth are slowly sliding out (same as happened to my granny and mum)..
I'm freaking out as to how a full plate will stay in position, without other teeth to hold it in place?
Am i reading right that yours just does?

Interestingly @Thighdentitycrisis i too suffer from Raynauds!

@BedisBliss thank you, I really needed to read this today. I'm on the verge of yet another falling out (this will be number 7) and my confidence is through the floor and I'm so miserable.
It really helps to know that things can get better

@Jellykat apparently upper dentures stay in place more effectively than lower ones...which seems to defy logic. They take loads of impressions to get the palate just right and it stays in place with suction. My first set stayed in place comfortably for about 10 months before I started to need a bit of Fixadent, which is no big deal. The second set are the ones that fit the best though as all the impressions were taken without teeth and my gums are settled.

Thanks @BedisBliss that makes me feel a bit better!

DH getting his first set in a few days so great to read how well they've gone for you!

Although implants are possible there are two things to bear in mind

1. when you have gum disease you eventually loose most of the bone that surround your teeth making it difficult to place aesthetically pleasing implants ( they end up twice the length of your natural teeth). You get a much better cosmetic result with dentures and you can have implants that retain the dentures if necessary
2. implants can fail due to the same disease process that causes the loss of your teeth. So you can end up back at square one again.

@ThreeB you are in exactly the same position I was in - losing teeth one by one, despite spending so much time brushing and flossing and using interdental brushes....counting how many I actually had left and being utterly miserable and self-conscious. It's a big decision but what I had left was pegs as my teeth drifted and I was obsessing just wondering which would wobble next. I spent the money I had saved to plaster and do up my hallway because being able to look at myself in a mirror seemed like the more important spend. Do research, pick a really good dentist who specialises in periodontal work, implants and dentures and whatever you decide I am assuring you 100% there is nothing greater than smiling without thinking about it. I really understand how you are feeling.

What is the point of your post? OP had a positive experience to share…why respond as you did?

@Angrymum22 totally agree with everything you said. Implants are for the super rich and may fail when gum disease is the issue. My dentist recommended the 'all on 4' to preserve/lessen bone loss....but that's coming out at 8K for a process that may or may not work and I don't have that sort of money. I am happy with the denture as it is and I seem to be doing okay. People who don't know, don't spot the denture and those I did tell say, when I remind them - oh yeah, I forgot those aren't your real teeth. But it feels like they really are!

So happy if this thread has lessened the pain of others in the same position.

Please reassure him...and be prepared to feed him the paracetamol and ibuprofen for a couple of days!

Noted, I'll make sure we have some in!