Hi all,

I am so glad that I found this forum!

I have been ill for the past 3 years, as a result of the medications I have been taking I developed Xerostomia (dry mouth syndrome). Many of my teeth decayed due to this.

2 months ago I had a medical emergency and had to be intubated. During the intubation, 9 of my teeth were broken off-- exposing the insides of the teeth, which I can see are severely decayed.

I have visited an oral surgeon and dentist/anathesiologist, who have told me that I need full mouth teeth extractions and eventually dental implants.

This has obviously devastated me, especially after reading about all of the complications that can occur.

I am just so scared. The surgery should be taking place within the next week or two.

Any advice?

Hi JKMMC,

So very sorry to hear that you have been ill and are now suffering with the side effects of your medication. Xerostomia is a very common malady. Unfortunately, most people are not informed of how severely it can affect their teeth.

Teeth need to bathe in constant saliva and when the saliva flow is not there, the teeth can decay very rapidly. There are some products on the market that stimulate the flow of saliva. One that seems to work pretty well is called Spry Rain Dry Mouth. It has to be used frequently to be effective. Even for people who do not have any teeth, they can still use this product to stimulate their saliva flow.

From what you have described and given your ill health, the best course of treatment for you may be to have your remaining teeth removed and be fitted for temporary dentures. It is devastating to think that this is the only option, but if your teeth are badly decayed there really is no healthy reason to hang onto them.

A side note........ not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. There has to be adequate, healthy bone for the implants to integrate into and the person should be in relatively good health overall. Before you entertain the idea of dental implants, please ask the oral surgeon if you are a good candidate as he should take into consideration your dental and medical health status.

I know this is very difficult, but try not to dwell on what the complications can be. It is so important to positively prepare yourself mentally and physically the best that you can before the day of surgery. This includes preparing a nutritional menu and preparing meals ahead of time that you can freeze and easily heat up during the healing time. I suggest your prepared meals should last at minimum 2 weeks post operatively. Keeping a positive outlook and eating nutritiously will make the world of difference!

I wish you well and please stay in touch with us!

Bryanna ~'.'~

Wow,I just found this site, what a treasure, a place with others like me! After 11 years of dry mouth from meds for nerve pain, I had to get all but the bottom 6 removed, the dentist was hoping the rest would last another 5 years, but now just 3 years later, they also have to go.He had left the 6 so the bottom denture would have some place to hook on to, so now I will likely need a new denture for the bottom. I grew up with strong, straight, beautiful white teeth, they used to light up at the school dances in high school, where there would always be a black light on, the kids would point at my glowing teeth and laugh! So to lose them has been difficult, I do not enjoy food much anymore, as the top dentures cover up the taste buds, and they are not as sharp as real teeth, unless I just have a really poorly made set.I have strengthened my gums enough that I can usually eat most food with the dentures out, I only wear them when I am not alone, I just hate them! I saw a new dental procedure being advertised here as new, it is the dental implants, that all of you must be talking about. So I looked them up, to find out how much money I was looking at, and they cost more than the mortgage on my house!!Even with their payment plan, there is no way I could ever afford them, so I am wondering how much they cost in the United States, compared to here in Saskatchewan,Canada.It never fails, something new comes out and I can never afford it, I should know by now to not get so excited. I turned 49 this January, and I figure that I could possibly still live another 25 years, so the implants would have been great. If any of you with the dreaded dry mouth can get them, then I hope that you do!They will be so much better than dentures, I hope any of you who want them, can afford to get them! If anyone reading this has got them, I would like to hear how much you are happy that you got them.

Hi prairiemary,

So very sorry to hear about your dental situation. It is a shame that you once had nice teeth and now the side effects of the meds you take have contributed to tooth loss.

I wanted to clarify something you said........ the tastebuds are not on the palate (roof of the mouth). They are on the tongue. So even if you wear a full upper denture, you can still taste your food. It may taste differently because the acrylic denture material can affect the taste of food.

The cost of dental implants in the US varies. The general cost is between $1500 and $2000 per actual titanium dental implant. Then the general cost per implant crown is between $1800 and $2500.

There are mini implants called Imtek implants. These are small but can be used to retain dentures or partial dentures in many people. They cost considerably less than the larger implants because there is less work to put them in.

Thanks for sharing your story here.......perhaps someone else will have some additional information to share with you...... all the best to you!

Bryanna

Thank you for your response, Bryanna!

I have seen an Oral surgeon (and saw another for a second opinion), I had special scans done of my mouth, and they believe I am a candidate for dental implants-- thank God!

Within the next two weeks I will be having all of my teeth extracted. Because of my medical condition, they are going to do it in the hospital, and I will be in the ICU for a few days for observation.

When the implants can be put in really all depends on how I recover from the extraction surgery-- the implants may be able to be put in anywhere from 2 weeks- 3 months after, according to the surgeon.

While I am still so devastated that this is happeneing, I am SO relieved that I will be able to get implants. I am only in my 30's, if I had to spend the rest of my life with dentures, I don't think I would even want to live that way.



Mary-- I am so sorry that you have gone through this as well. I wish you the best. You're in my prayers!

Hi JKMMC,

I'm glad that you had the CT scans done because that shows a very clear picture of your skeletal structure with relation to your bite, along with the degree of deterioration of the jawbone and any lesions that may be present. I am glad that the studies show that you are a good candidate for dental implants!

In an extreme case such as yours, I personally have never heard of placing full mouth implants as soon as 2 weeks post extraction surgery. Even 3 months seems a bit soon, but every case is different and as you said, it all depends on how well the extraction sites heal. Are they placing implants for individual crowns and/or bridges? Or are they implants for full dentures?

I know this is a scary journey as it is very unfamiliar territory for anyone who has never experienced it. From my experience, the outcome is generally very good and hopefully yours will be too! It is great to hear that you are feeling very positive everything!

It is always a good idea to fully understand what your treatment plan is going to be as well as what you need to do during the healing phase so you are fully prepared to take care of yourself. It is also a good idea to ask what the anticipated time frame is from the time of the extractions to the final delivery of your permanent replacement of teeth.

It would be interesting to follow your progress as you move along. So I hope that you visit us and keep us posted on how things are going!!

All the best to you!
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

Thanks for all of your advice! The big day is approaching soon (next Tuesday) and I'm so nervous. I feel very comfortable with my dentist/anesthesiologist and oral surgeon...who supposedly is "the man" to go to here in NY for difficult implant cases.

I will be having implant-supported bridges placed (not removable)...4-8 implants on top, same for the bottom.

They are going to have to place the implants wherever there is the most bone, but he believes that it can be done.

From everything I've read, I also thought 2 weeks was a bit soon. As soon as the teeth are extracted they are going to do molds and make me a temporary denture, so I will not have to face the embarrassment of being toothless for too long (thank God!)

I will check back after the extraction and let you all know how it went.

Thanks for your help!

I have basically the same problem. I have upper dentures which are OK fitting. The real problem is I had to have my lower teeth removed and the dentist doing it put in bone graphs so implants could be placed for snap on dentures. The problem is after healing for many months he isn't sure implants will work because there's very little jawbone left. My problem is my lower denture doesn't stay in place at all so I cant eat a steak or lettuce salads/raw veggies. Are there any options to replace or build up the jaw??
I am 68 years old and fairly good health except for severe osteoporosis, which I am taking Prolia injections for.

Had a partial denture with eight teeth remaining on lower front. Those had to be removed a couple years ago and I received a full denture. This does not fit and is unusable due to floating around in my mouth.
My dentist had put Two bone grafts in the front after he removed the teeth and that it's been many months ago. He took a panoramic x-ray and said he didn't think there was enough bone in my lower jaw to do implants for snap on dentures! I do have severe osteoporosis and I am taking Prolia injections for this .

HELP! I cannot eat raw vegetables, salads, steak etc. I am only 68 years old and do not want to spend the rest of my life eating soup and mushy pasta, or rice!