Hi Neuromess,

Obviously, you have several dental issues going on at the same time. Your rsd can be a complicating factor which may limit your options for permanent replacement options. The (sad) truth about most dentists is that they know little to nothing about the body like a physician would know. And unfortunately, many physicians know little to nothing about teeth! With that said, it is not surprising that your dentist didn't know about rsd. So you will probably have to make some of your own decisions about future dental treatment based on what you learn on your own.

About dentures........
No, they do not feel the same as a permanent bridge. The bridge is cemented in place, whereas a denture is not. A bridge may or may not get food trapped underneath it, a denture may (depending on the fit). Bridges do not come out unless the cement seal is broken, whereas a denture is taken out to be cleaned and then it should be left out at night when you sleep so your palate can be bathed in saliva to avoid a fungus infection.

If at all possible, it is advisable to have upper and lower dentures made at the same time to ensure a matching set. Believe it or not, a new set of dentures are measured to accomodate your existing jaw alignment but they will give you a new occlusal alignment. If an upper denture is made to fit into your existing lower teeth, then it will not fit properly into a new lower denture later on. Denture teeth are completely different than natural teeth because they are either plastic or porcelain and they are not anchored into bone. There are no ligaments holding them into the jawbone so there is no natural give and take movement like there is with natural teeth. However, you cannot have a lower denture made and put it in the drawer until you are ready to have the teeth out..... it won't fit when that time comes.

As far as chewing ability........ dentures take time to get use to and eventually the person finds their own comfortable style of chewing. Dentures that are made to be put in immediately after the extractions generally fit much better than if you wore nothing at the onset. However, this type of denture is only temporary and will need to be replaced by a new one in about 6-12 months after the extractions. The surgical site actually heals to the shape of the denture so the fit is more secure.

Lower dentures are a whole other story. Since there is no suction (like the palate) to hold them in, they simply sit on top of the lower ridge. They generally move around when you talk and chew. Sometimes some adhesive works well to hold them in for awhile and then needs to be reapplied.

Dentures retained by dental implants do allow for easier chewing and speaking abilities because the implants hold the upper or lower denture in place. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may only need a few small implants to do the trick. It would be wise to consult with someone who specializes in the placement of dental implants and see what your options are.

There are two "tests" that are sometimes done to help determine if someone is a good candidate for dental implants. I'll tell you what they are, but keep in mind that neither one is totally reliable at any given time. One is a serum test called the Clifford test which shows if the person is sensitive to the titanium that is used in the dental implant. Another is called Kinesiology or muscle testing. This also shows sensitivty or acceptance to a particular material. Both of these test results can vary depending on a variety of circumstances that are too lengthy to get into here.

I wish this could be easier for you........... I know it can be overwhelming and frightening, but the infections are definitely not healthy so please try to keep focused and continue to pursue the answers that will help you to move forward!

Please keep in touch with us along the way!!

Bryanna