Originally Posted by KSMacy

I have written in the past about my saga getting dentures after having all my teeth extracted due to lack of funds to have my teeth repaired. At age 65, I found that many of the teeth which were crowned or supporting permanent bridges needed root canals or implants and could not afford to replace the crowns, bridge and get multiple implants. All of my teeth were crowned, many were post and crown.

I received support and help from Bryanna who I am so thankful. I wanted to ask for further advice, but could not find my old thread. I don't want to repeat my whole, long story. If someone could tell me how to find it I would appreciate it.

Thanks to advice from Bryanna, I decided to ask for a refund on the poor dentures which I have had to endure for the past 4 months. I finally found a Prosthodontist who seems to be far more thorough and kind. I decided to have him make me a new set of dentures. He has done relines and various adjustments on the old ones I've been wearing, and have made them bearable. I so look forward to getting the new ones but have to wait until I have saved enough money to pay for them. That should be the end of the month.

I sent an email to my old dentist to request a refund because the dentures she made never worked. They never fit my mouth and were too wide. Because they were so wide, they impinged on a nerve on the side of my face which cause me ear pain each time I moved my mouth. This was the first week after my extractions. They were also so big they wouldn't stay in my mouth. They kept falling out creating a situation where I couldn't eat nor go out of the house.

Due to the ear pain, she cut both dentures short. It immediately relieved the pain but now the dentures had no way of staying in. There was no suction, just 4 cut edges. After my stitches were removed and I could use adhesive, I could at least, leave the house. But I could not eat.

Things only got worse until she finally remade, at her expense, a new upper denture. She only did this because she couldn't do anything to keep the denture from falling out. She did not replace the lower which was even worse. She wanted me to pay $2,000 to have a new one made. I told her I couldn't afford that. She was cold and told me she could not do anymore for me.

That is when I found the Prosthodontist. He will not comment on the old dentures except to say, 'he is not a miracle worker.' He will not make any critical statements about these dentures. Neither will my Oral Surgeon. I do not push the point as I realize they rely on each other for referrals and don't want to get involved in a dispute.

Bryanna, I emailed the dentist asking for a refund. I stated why I felt she should refund my money and that I needed the money to have a new temporary set of dentures made. I never mentioned the Prosthodontist except to say I found another dentist who would make me a new set. But without a refund I am forced to continue to wear the old dentures which do not work. I cannot afford to pay another $2,800 for a new set without the refund.

Her secretary wrote back saying the dentist would not refund the money and they were glad I found a new dentist who could meet my expectations. She said she remade the upper denture at her cost, and would only refund 1/2 of the lower denture.

I realized, when I emailed her that I put the wrong amount for the refund. I thought I paid $938.00 for the set. I actually paid $2,800 for both. I don't know why I made that mistake except I was so nervous writing the email.

I can't get a new set using the upper she made. Although it stays in (because the Prosthodontist put some sort of liner in it), the teeth are too long and he can't use it to make the bottom. My bite is totally wrong. I have not been able to close my mouth fully because the teeth hit each other. So, he would not think of using her upper to make me a lower.

I have read your responses to other people about how to keep emotion out of any correspondence with the dentist. I'm not sure how to do that!

I'm am so unhappy, I feel I've lost 4 months of my life because of these dentures. I wanted to have implants put in but have no way to pay for it because I'll have to pay for another pair of dentures. I paid for bone grafting to the Oral Surgeon when he did the extractions. He did a beautiful job. I had to take a loan to pay for the extractions and bone grafts. I can't afford to pay for another set of dentures and get the implants.

I don't know how to proceed. I feel I threw all that money away, over $7,000 for the extractions and bone grafts. I didn't have to do that if I knew I couldn't get the implants. I never expected the dentist to make such a poor set of temporary dentures that I would have to have another set made.

I'm so sorry this is so long. I would appreciate any guidance you might offer me. I have not responded to the email from the dentist offering 1/2 refund for the bottom ($475.00). I need help about what to write her.

Thank you so much. I apologize for the length of this post.

Jane