Hello all, I found this site while trying to find something to help my sister.

About 2-3 years ago she had partials put in (only her upper and lower front teeth are her own). My sister is a long-time smoker and of course it impacted the color of her teeth. But instead of suggesting to her that they whiten her teeth first and then match the color to the whitened teeth, he matched her partials to the stained teeth. Now when she smiles, it's not very pretty and in photos it looks like her teeth are brown.

I think she allowed that to happen because she was very overweight at the time and didn't think she deserved better than that. Now, one-year after weight loss surgery and 115lbs lighter...she wants that beautiful smile. The color of her teeth is a very sensitive subject for her (which I accidentally pricked today) and I want to help her out in any way I can.

Can losing weight cause partials to not fit well anymore? (I'm hoping) Maybe I could suggest she go back and have new partials put in due to the weight loss...or would he just make adjustments to the old one?

If he only makes adjustments...can he replace one or two teeth on each side so they match her new, whitened smile? Would it be worth it, cost wise?

Can he put veneers on the partials? Was it stupid to even ask?

Even as I type this, I have the feeling her only way out of this is a whole new set of partials...and that can be very expensive if her insurance won't pick up the cost again so soon after her first set.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

HELLO SPRINGCOMES2,

TO MAKE READING THIS EASIER, I'VE COPIED YOUR POST ONTO THIS REPLY AND MADE MY RESPONSE IN BOLD LETTERS.

About 2-3 years ago she had partials put in (only her upper and lower front teeth are her own). My sister is a long-time smoker and of course it impacted the color of her teeth. But instead of suggesting to her that they whiten her teeth first and then match the color to the whitened teeth, he matched her partials to the stained teeth. Now when she smiles, it's not very pretty and in photos it looks like her teeth are brown.
TOOTH WHITENING IS NOT GENERALLY RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WHO SMOKE. THE WHITENING AGENTS TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE POROSITY OF THE ENAMEL OF THE TEETH MAKING THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEEP STAINING. THE ONLY WAY A SMOKER COULD SUCCESSFULLY WHITEN THEIR TEETH WOULD BE TO STOP SMOKING. IF SHE STOPPED SMOKING LONG ENOUGH TO WHITEN HER TEETH (COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS OR MORE) AND THE TEETH ON THE PARTIALS WERE MATCHED TO THE WHITENED SHADE THAT WOULD BE ONE THING. BUT IF SHE RETURNED TO SMOKING AFTER SHE GOT HER PARTIALS, HER NATURAL TEETH WOULD NOT MATCH THE PARTIAL TEETH. TWO OTHER ISSUES.... SMOKING STAINS THE TEETH ON THE PARTIAL DENTURES. AND ANYTIME YOU WHITEN YOUR TEETH ARTIFICIALLY, THEY NEED TO BE REDONE PERIODICALLY TO MAINTAIN THE LIGHTER SHADE.

I think she allowed that to happen because she was very overweight at the time and didn't think she deserved better than that. Now, one-year after weight loss surgery and 115lbs lighter...she wants that beautiful smile. The color of her teeth is a very sensitive subject for her (which I accidentally pricked today) and I want to help her out in any way I can.
IT IS SO TRUE HOW OUR SELF ESTEEM IS SO AFFECTED BY OUR OUTWARD APPEARANCE. SHE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HERSELF FOR LOSING THAT WEIGHT AND SHE ABSOLUTELY DERSERVES TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!

Can losing weight cause partials to not fit well anymore? (I'm hoping) Maybe I could suggest she go back and have new partials put in due to the weight loss...or would he just make adjustments to the old one?
YES, LOSING WEIGHT CAN MOST DEFINITELY CAUSE THE PARTIALS TO NOT FIT WELL. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO ADJUST THE ONES SHE HAS, BUT IT COULD ALSO RUIN THEM TOO.

If he only makes adjustments...can he replace one or two teeth on each side so they match her new, whitened smile? Would it be worth it, cost wise?
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DENTIST. SHE WOULD STILL BE DEALING WITH THE STAINED TEETH IF SHE CONTINUES TO SMOKE. OTHERWISE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE TEETH IF THE PARITALS STILL FIT WELL.

Can he put veneers on the partials? Was it stupid to even ask?
NO, VENEERS CANNOT BE PUT ON TEETH IN THE PARTIALS. BUT NEW TEETH CAN BE PUT IN.

Even as I type this, I have the feeling her only way out of this is a whole new set of partials...and that can be very expensive if her insurance won't pick up the cost again so soon after her first set.
MOST DENTAL PLANS WILL COVER SOME OF THE COST TO REPLACE PARTIALS AFTER 5 YEARS FROM THEIR ORIGINAL PLACEMENT. HOWEVER, SOME DENTAL PLANS HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION CLAUSE WHICH BASICALLY STATES..... NO BENEFITS ARE PAID TO REPLACE TEETH PRIOR TO INSURANCE COVERAGE. SO SHE SHOULD ASK HER INSURANCE COMPANY HOW HER POLICY IS WRITTEN WITH REGARD TO REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTIALS.

SHE HAS COME A LONG WAY AND NO DOUBT IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY FOR HER! SHE MAY HAVE OPTIONS IN CHANGING THE TEETH ON HER EXISTING PARTIALS OR DEPENDING ON THE FIT AND HEALTH OF HER NATURAL TEETH, SHE MAY NEED NEW PARTIALS MADE. THE KEY HERE IS TO STOP SMOKING FIRST AND THEN CONSULT WITH HER DENTIST ABOUT WHAT SHE WANTS TO ACHIEVE AND SEE WHAT HER OPTIONS ARE.

PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW THINGS GO....

BRYANNA