Hey Pamster!

I know you've been having on going dental problems and would like nothing better than to have it all be done with already! Perhaps you could consider doing the upper arch all at once??

Most of the time, it is best to have all of the teeth in the upper jaw removed at the same time and an immediate denture put in on the same day. Here are the reasons why....

1) When you have teeth in the same arch removed at different times, the bone from previous extractions has already depreciated, meaning has become flat. The new extraction sites will do the same over a period of time. But in the interim, the ridge is very uneven which can make it difficult to get a denture to fit properly and a new one would need to be made a some point in time.

2) With each extraction, the bone takes up to a year to fill in completely so the denture that is made prior to that healing time will need to be replaced at some point.

When an immediate denture is planned prior to the removal of all of the teeth in the same arch here is what happens...

The teeth are removed and the denture is put in right away. The denture acts as a bandade over the surgical sites and also helps the bone and gum tissue to form to the shape of the denture. This usually gives a better fit.

The immediate denture will need to be replaced with another one at some point (just like I mentioned earlier) as the bone heals and changes because it will no longer be able to be adjusted. Sometimes the immediate denture can be relined once or twice, but most often you would need a new one simply because the plastic becomes frail from the adjustments and relines. Because the shape of the bone and gum tissue had molded to the shape of the immediate denture, a new denture would then be shaped to that as well.

With regard to meds prior to the surgery..... you need to discuss that with the oral surgeon prior to the appointment as he will then advise you properly and adjust the type and amount of local anesthetic he will give you. If you wanted to have a little IV sedation, you would also have to discuss that with him prior to the appointment.

With regard to a soft food diet... I always recommend that people prepare a nutritious meal plan ahead of time to last at least 2 weeks and then prepare another batch of soft foods again for another 2 weeks. I am not a proponent of processed, boxed or canned foods as they offer so little nutritious value and are usually loaded with sodium.

Here is what I suggest...
If at all possible, make some homemade soups with an assortment of veggies, put them in small containers in the freezer so you can just heat them up.

Make smoothies in a blender with soy or almond milk, ice cream or something similar, a banana or blueberries or strawberries... vary it so they don't all taste the same. I always throw in a scoop of protein powder and a couple of ice cubes to make it thick. Eat it with a spoon.

If you had a juicer, you could juice some veggies which would make a drink packed with nutrients.

Organic eggs, yogurt (unsweetened), any dairy with a similar consistency.
Mashed sweet or white potatoes....

There are not many recipes having to do with soft foods... it's really more common sense to just stick with a soft consistency and see what you can mush together to your own taste. Nothing chewy, no seeds, nothing that requires a sucking motion like through a straw.

The best source of nutrition is from the soups because they have all the nutrients that you need.

I've got to run but I will check back later....

Bryanna

Pamster,

This is my second post to your question about extractions...

Most dental insurances cover a new denture every 5 years. Some wait 10 years... you can call them to find out exactly what the time frame is.

Most of the time what patients elect to do is self purchase the immediate denture and then submit to the insurance for the second one. The reason being is that the immediate will only be worn for a few months to a year at best. Whereas the permanent denture (the second one) will be worn for several years.

Let me clarify the issue of two dentures...

The immediate denture or first denture will need to be adjusted many times during the healing phase which will wear out the material. Once it's worn out, an office reline can be done but it won't last very long because that material breaks down rather quickly. A lab reline can be done but it means giving up your denture for a few days so it can be sent to the lab and it is expensive... roughly $500 or so. The denture may still need adjustments after this reline. A lab reline may last up to a year, depends on the fit and overall wear of the denture.

You can proceed with a few extractions now and a few later... but you may have difficulty with the fit of a denture due to the uneven healing of the bone and gum tissue. Some people have done it this way and it's worked okay, others not so good. Depends on the persons anatomy, the surgery, and the skill of their dentist and dental lab.

I would suggest that you talk with your dentist about your options before you have the extractions.

Keep me posted..
Bryanna

Huh, it sounds like I am kinda up a creek without a paddle, because I've had like 7 or so out up top already during the past 8 years, I looked and mine are all at varying heights. It sounds like I am going to be hard to fit. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the information you did. Sadly my insurance, will only cover one top and one bottom throughout my entire lifetime.

So it sounds like I am in for a world of hurt and more pain then I had originally accounted for. Especially if I can't afford a second or third set. I'm up a creek. I will just have to save up over the course of yet another LONG time, like a year or so to be able to afford a second denture for the top once the first one decides to fall apart on me. Oh well. They definitely don't make'em like they used to then....Thank you for your honestly. I'll be seeing my oral surgeon soon.

I just wanted to say again, thank you Bryanna, I really do appreciate it, that you took the time to post all that you did. I am just a little depressed because I don't have good insurance. Talked to Jack (my son's dad who I live with) and he said that we should be able to save up and get a second set for me at some point so that makes me feel a little less anxious. I hope that my post above didn't make you feel bad, that wasn't my intent, I just felt so lost and sad and afraid. I am very appreciative of your time here and wanted to post again to let you know that.

Pam,

I'm not upset in the least! I wish I could offer you more help! I totally understand your concerns about the health of your teeth and affording dental treatment can be a huge pain in the a*s :/

If you could manage to do all the upper extractions and go with an immediate denture at the onset..... you may be able to get a year out of it before you will need to replace it. It really all depends on the individual case and how willing your dentist is to work with you on relining your immediate denture.

Please try not to let this bring you down... it is something that you have to deal with sooner or later and I believe it can be worked out. I encourage you to discuss this option with your dentist and see if he will work out a mutually agreeable payment plan with you.

Don't give up.... keep your chin up... stay focused on the positive because that emotion is what will guide you through this. Okay......

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna! I have to get through it. Praying he's going to take pity on me and extract the three of them in one sitting. I have to kinda go on a 'emergency' basis and then he yanks the teeth (so far I've had two done at once) if you can deal with a local. I have done the local every time and had good luck. I go in Tuesday. Wishing myself luck that it's another easy pulls on them. I am relieved I didn't upset you.

Pamster,

Okay.. praying for your well being too
Touch back with us on tuesday!

Bryanna ~'.'~