Hi to all - I've posted before about my allergy to glycolic acid derivatives and some of the challenges I'm facing in losing my teeth. I've definitely ruled out root canals and have one tooth that may be possible to save with a crown but all my lower teeth will need to be extracted, probably within the next year. I do have five teeth in the center of my upper jaw that are ok - nothing is wrong with them yet. I'm trying to research dentures or partials to find out if they have glycols. I've gone to 4 dentists for estimates and 3 have declined to treat me as I have too many medical conditions and allergies. My current dentist did call one manufacturer and was told by someone there that virtually all dentures and partials will have glycols in them. So this dentist is reluctant to give me any further information so that I can call myself to research this. I know how to research glycols in medications, foods and topical products - but dentistry is like speaking a new language for me. I've found with medications that once I learned the lingo I could ask enough intelligent questions that they often transfer me to chemists - and that's where I've learned the good stuff! The chemist's love to talk and educate you on how the glycols are used, and if they are still present in the finished product. I can't find that out from the product information people. If it had glycols in it at any place in the manufacturing process they will tell me it has glycols in it - because they don't want to be sued. I have trouble believing that a hard material such as a denture still has glycols in it. But my problem now is that I don't have anyone even to give me names of dentures or partials so I can begin to learn and research them. Can anyone here get me started? My hope is to find one or more dentures so I can take this info to my current dentist or others and be able to say I KNOW I can use this type of denture, etc. can you work with this product? Otherwise I am looking at having 5 teeth in my mouth in the not-too-distant future. I am going to an oral surgeon here soon - I don't know if I even have someone who will extract my teeth - and two are really starting to hurt. I'm having a tough time thinking of only having 5, or no teeth in my mouth - forever. I'm only 51. I would appreciate any info on names of dentures and partials that anyone can give me. Thanks!

Hi Eliza,

Believe it or not, most dentists are not fully aware of the different types of materials that are used in fabricating dentures. However, dental laboratories are the go to people because they are the ones making the dentures. Generally, it is the dentist, not the patient, who would speak with their lab techs to see what choices there may be. The reason being is that there are many different calculations and considerations that are used to fabricate dentures. Each patient presents with a different scenario. There are also limitations and preferences as to what type of material can be used in what situation to acquire a good fitting denture.

Have you consulted with a Prosthodontist? These are dentists who are suppose to be the experts in the replacement of teeth. They tend to be knowledgeable about alternative materials. They have patients that have uncommon situations so they work with various dental labs who can accommodate their needs.

I know this is really tough for you....and you should be getting more cooperation than you have been getting. But you need a dentist to do this leg work for you because there are too many other technical factors that you are unaware of when it comes to the fabrication of a denture.

Wish I could be more helpful.........
Bryanna




QUOTE=ElizaJane23;874348]Hi to all - I've posted before about my allergy to glycolic acid derivatives and some of the challenges I'm facing in losing my teeth. I've definitely ruled out root canals and have one tooth that may be possible to save with a crown but all my lower teeth will need to be extracted, probably within the next year. I do have five teeth in the center of my upper jaw that are ok - nothing is wrong with them yet. I'm trying to research dentures or partials to find out if they have glycols. I've gone to 4 dentists for estimates and 3 have declined to treat me as I have too many medical conditions and allergies. My current dentist did call one manufacturer and was told by someone there that virtually all dentures and partials will have glycols in them. So this dentist is reluctant to give me any further information so that I can call myself to research this. I know how to research glycols in medications, foods and topical products - but dentistry is like speaking a new language for me. I've found with medications that once I learned the lingo I could ask enough intelligent questions that they often transfer me to chemists - and that's where I've learned the good stuff! The chemist's love to talk and educate you on how the glycols are used, and if they are still present in the finished product. I can't find that out from the product information people. If it had glycols in it at any place in the manufacturing process they will tell me it has glycols in it - because they don't want to be sued. I have trouble believing that a hard material such as a denture still has glycols in it. But my problem now is that I don't have anyone even to give me names of dentures or partials so I can begin to learn and research them. Can anyone here get me started? My hope is to find one or more dentures so I can take this info to my current dentist or others and be able to say I KNOW I can use this type of denture, etc. can you work with this product? Otherwise I am looking at having 5 teeth in my mouth in the not-too-distant future. I am going to an oral surgeon here soon - I don't know if I even have someone who will extract my teeth - and two are really starting to hurt. I'm having a tough time thinking of only having 5, or no teeth in my mouth - forever. I'm only 51. I would appreciate any info on names of dentures and partials that anyone can give me. Thanks![/QUOTE]

No, there's no one willing to put in all that time to research this. In all my 16 years of having this allergy I have yet to find a provider who was willing to help with the research. Pharmacists do, when doctor's insist, and I have learned much from them, but also learned that even the best made mistakes, so I research things on my own. Well, I guess I'll get used to the idea of not having teeth. There could be worse things, right? Thanks.

Eliza,

I wouldn't give up on this, please don't feel defeated. It is up to a dentist to pursue this information. Perhaps your offer to do the research gave them an easy out to making some phone calls to the dental labs. But they know you will not have access to this information, therefore it is their obligation to do this. They know the language to use to make this request from their dental lab.

Here is a link to a lengthy article about bio-compatible polymers used in dentistry...
http://medind.nic.in/taa/t10/i3/taat10i3p129.pdf

Bryanna

Thank you - I will dig into this tomorrow and lean all I can from it! I spoke to the office manager today at the dental practice where I've been going this past year. I haven't liked it there as the dentists have changed over 4 times, but at least they are still seeing me. The office manager said, due to the phone call one of their staff made to a lab last week on my behalf, the answer was that this person (thought) there would be no dentures available that wouldn't have glycols in them. Based on this, they are opting to not continue working with me. Not even for my cleaning in two weeks! I guess I will be checking out that dental school after all. It's looking like no one else will take me.

Eliza,

If a dental school can come up with an alternative material to glycol, then a dentist and their lab can do it also. It is up to the dentist, not anyone on the staff, to talk to their lab. I'm sorry this is so difficult .... is it possible to start fresh with someone else, perhaps a prosthodontist?

Bryanna