[byanoceanbreeze]

Hi I'm new here. I found this site hoping someone can guide me as to
what I can do about my awful experience on getting new full dentures.

I've been a single struggling mom now for ten years and money is tight. And because of this I was unable to afford the proper dental care I needed to keep my gums healthy.
Due to years of gum disease and bone loss I needed full dentures at 48 yrs old. It was embarrassing and humilating going through the changes of watching my once beautiful teeth twist turn and become loose. And to make things worse I had a co-worker who called herself "my friend" making coments about it when she thought I couldn't hear. She even gathered people around to dicuss my oral health as I tried to pretend I didn't hear her while I was working. But I heard her and all her friends comments.

So I sought out a dentist who was considered the best in the area. And found out the total cost would be over $11,000. Needless to say I walked out of the office and cried in my car. Where was I going to find that much money?

But as things happen in life a family member passed on leaving me some money. After getting over my grief it was time to move on.
I was now able to afford my dentures, so I called up the dentist and made an appointment and paid him in full.
I took two weeks vacation time off because I knew I would need time to heal physically but mostly emotionally.
The operation went well but the dentures were to big for my mouth. I was horrified when I saw myself for the first time in the mirror.
I called my dentist right away and told him that the dentures were horrible and I looked like a freak. They looked like the cheapest dentures one could get and I told him so. He in return yelled at me and told me what can you exspect you came to me with horrible teeth I did the best that I could. I know I was on Vicadan for the pain but I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
He threatened not to do business with me anymore if I complained and hung up on me.
I panicked, I just paid this man over 11,000 up front and now he's going to walk away hours after my surgery? I called his secretary and talked to her about his insults and my concerns she was very sympathetic. She told me there's a lot of swelling after the operation and she said she would talk to the dentist. He called back and appologized and wanted to see me the next day.
After many adjustments and a relining to both the upper and lower dentures I could wear them with some confort but I still couldn't talk clearly. After two weeks my face still looked swollen due to the upper denture being to big for my face and eating was impossible, I lost 15 lbs. I told my dentist I couldn't talk right with them and I was worried because I had to return to work. I was afraid of the comments I would get at work. He told me I had to be patient.

When I returned to work two weeks later there was no hiding why I was out. My co-worker immediately wanted to know why I had taken time off. So I told her. I couldn't hide it the dentures were so bad. She in turn told all of the 65 people I worked with. And each of them made a point of coming by to "look" at me. At the end of an awful and humiliating day one co-worker came over and gave me a hug and told me they look good.

In the next few appointments I had with my dentist he finally heard me. And he made the nessary adjustments to the upper denture. He had to take off so much of the denture to fit my face that when he was done the denture was very thin and the teeth were flat, but I still couldn't talk right. Now he admitted it "was a disaster" and he would make up for it by making a new pair at no cost. But he wanted me to wait a little longer because I was still healing and the longer we wait the better it will be.

Four months later he made the impression for the upper denture. When we had the wax try in I couldn't believe it, it felt good! It felt great! it was comfortable. And good god I could talk! But the teeth were yellow and too small. My dentist told me they weren't he said that they were the same color as the lower. His assistant and I disagreed, then he finally agreed the color was off and made a note for the change in color. The size and shape of the teeth were another story. It's funny cause he tells me this is just a try in and until I'm happy with the teeth they won't get made. I told him I want the teeth higher and longer so when I smile I'm not all gums and tiny teeth. he tells me the teeth can't get longer but he can have them put up higher so there's less gum.
The next appointment the teeth are higher. I like the way it looks when I smile but I want the teeth longer and not pointed inward. It's not giving me enough lip support. He tells me this is the best he can do that they can't make the teeth longer. I'm not happy with the teeth or the lip support. He tells me this just a temporary. I settle, after all its far beter than what I had and I can talk.
Two weeks later the teeth are made. They are comfortable and they are nice looking but they aren't even close to what was once the look, feel, and shape of what my teeth had been. But they feel great. And for the first time I was able to bite into a peice of chicken!
I don't know where he had those made he won't tell me. But I never needed an adjustment on them they agreeded with my mouth. There was just one little thing that bothered me about them. They had a name tag on them and if you laughed you could see it. My daughter noticed it right away. I thought about taking a dremel to it myself to take it off but I was afraid to. I was afraid to have the dentist do it because I just had this feeling that he would screw it up. But I didn't want people to KNOW I had dentures and the name tag gave it away. So I asked my dentist if he could do something about it. "No problem" he said, "funny your the second person to say that" and off he goes to get rid of the name tag. I took a quick look at it, yup its gone. I said thank you and off I go to work. About a hour later I run my tongue across that area and I notice the teeth are REAL sharp. To remove a small name tag that wasn't near the teeth he took off haft the teeth on the upper left side of the denture. When I tell him about this he denies that the teeth are haft gone. We argue. I told him he ruined my denture. He tells me to leave them with him for a day and he'll have the teeth removed and new ones put in. But I don't trust him so I told him I'll wait until he makes the final upper then he can fix what he messed up.

Six months later comes the adjustment for the final lower. I can't wait I have to use so much adhesive at least three times a day or more (depends on if I eat) to keep the lower in.
The impression is made. I wait a week for the wax try in.
The wax try in is a disaster I can't bite down without eye tearing pain. He makes an "adjustment" oh god.. that doesn't work so he makes another, that doesnt work. So he yanks them out all disgusted at me! and walks off saying it doesn't matter he"ll make the adjustment later. I'm left sitting there with ??????????????? and I'm dismissed. I never even got to see the teeth!

This man allowed me no say in my final denture. I'm left with the thought that if the wax try in doesn't fit why would he think the denture will. But I'm dismissed!
He makes the denture and low and behold the denture doesn't fit! Three adjustments latter and he's shaved down the teeth on the right side so much there's not much left. And now I'm stuck with a denture that bites down on the right side but not the left and looks crooked and causes me emense pain. Not to mention that the teeth are these timy little freakish things the size of baby teeth.
I complain and he tells me the session is OVER. I tell him to PLEASE listen to me, PLEASE look at them. He talks over me. I plead with him to listen to me but I basically get thrown out of the office and told to "call him when I get ulcers then he can make the adjustments"

I just wanted to smile again.
But instead I went home and had a total emotional melt down.

[Dejibo]

WOW! I am so sorry that all of this has happened to you.

Have you considered the dental school? I think UCONN has a pretty good dental school, and they do quality work for a lower fee because its students that do the work. Since they are up to date on the latest, greatest proceedures, perhaps they can help you fix the plate you have.

There are many here with much more knowledge than I as far as dental stuff, but I just wanted to throw you a hug It should not have been that much of an ordeal to get your teeth fixed.

[byanoceanbreeze]

Thanks Dejibo for your reply and the hug!. ( much needed)
But going somewhere else after paying so much to this dentist would be letting him get away with robbery. I believe I should
still get the services I paid for from this dentist.

Originally Posted by Dejibo

WOW! I am so sorry that all of this has happened to you.

Have you considered the dental school? I think UCONN has a pretty good dental school, and they do quality work for a lower fee because its students that do the work. Since they are up to date on the latest, greatest proceedures, perhaps they can help you fix the plate you have.

There are many here with much more knowledge than I as far as dental stuff, but I just wanted to throw you a hug It should not have been that much of an ordeal to get your teeth fixed.

[Bryanna]

Hi byanoceanbreeze,

Dentures are never going to look or feel like your own teeth. Perhaps dentists should stress those issues more often with their patients. So that when the patient gets fitted for the dentures, they are not surprised at how they feel or look.

There is only so much that can be done to alter a denture to look more realistic because it's a piece of plastic with little to no anatomical imperfections. Very unlike our own teeth and mouth. There is also only so much that can be done to the denture to make it fit comfortably. Why? Because each person presents themselves with different variables (that change over time) and can prohibit the denture from being comfortable. For example..... lack of supportive bone; thin oral tissue; uneven occlusion; thin lip line/wide lip line; a big or flat tongue with a narrow ridge; flat palate with minimum bony ridge; weak or strong cheek muscles; and that's just a few of the variables that the dentist is faced with when making a denture.

I'm sharing this with you from the "other side of the chair" because most people have no clue how difficult it is to fabricate the perfect denture. Yes, some dentists and their labs are better at it than others. Yes, some dentists have more tolerance with all of this while others need to learn more tolerance or perhaps they should stop making them and refer their patients elsewhere.

I have seen some of the crappiest dentures and they fit great! I have seen some of the best made dentures and they fit lousy. It's a challenge every time and it takes alot of tolerance on both sides...... from the patient and the dentist.

It sounds to me like your dentist is a bit short tempered and impatient but he is probably doing the best that he feels he can to please you. He surely does not have the best chairside manner but that does not mean he is not listening. The mouth changes alot in the first 2-4+ months after the extractions so he was limited in the adjustments that he could do on those dentures for you at that time. I also think the dentures he made initially were "immediate" dentures which are made of a temporary type acrylic material. The second set is what is referred to as the "permanent" dentures which are made of a different type of acrylic material which can be adjusted moreso than the immediate ones. This two denture treatment plan is the routine method used when placing (immediate) dentures at the time of the extractions. Chances are they were included in your original treatment and financial plan. Does this sound familiar to you?

Aside from the "name tag" on your denture, which I have never seen or heard of before, your situation is unfortunately very typical. But that does not mean that the outcome won't be good. Keep expressing your concerns to him but please allow me to say...... do it with the understanding that there are limitations to what your dentist can and cannot do. Keep in mind...... your mouth is the map, he cannot alter that.

You have come a long way since you had the teeth extracted and you are on the home stretch! Please don't allow anyone else's comments or lack of compassion get the best of you..... chances are they are hiding something about themselves that they have yet to face! You are the brave person in your office....... remember that!

Keep us posted.......... ~'.'~

Bryanna

PS............ Just wanted to add this personal note...... knowing what I do about the "quality" of dental care coming out of many dental schools.....please don't add more stress to your life by having an inexperienced student make your dentures. Besides, you have already paid to have the work done and your dentist will stand behind his work or refund your money.
















I've been a single struggling mom now for ten years and money is tight. And because of this I was unable to afford the proper dental care I needed to keep my gums healthy.
Due to years of gum disease and bone loss I needed full dentures at 48 yrs old. It was embarrassing and humilating going through the changes of watching my once beautiful teeth twist turn and become loose. And to make things worse I had a co-worker who called herself "my friend" making coments about it when she thought I couldn't hear. She even gathered people around to dicuss my oral health as I tried to pretend I didn't hear her while I was working. But I heard her and all her friends comments.

So I sought out a dentist who was considered the best in the area. And found out the total cost would be over $11,000. Needless to say I walked out of the office and cried in my car. Where was I going to find that much money?

But as things happen in life a family member passed on leaving me some money. After getting over my grief it was time to move on.
I was now able to afford my dentures, so I called up the dentist and made an appointment and paid him in full.
I took two weeks vacation time off because I knew I would need time to heal physically but mostly emotionally.
The operation went well but the dentures were to big for my mouth. I was horrified when I saw myself for the first time in the mirror.
I called my dentist right away and told him that the dentures were horrible and I looked like a freak. They looked like the cheapest dentures one could get and I told him so. He in return yelled at me and told me what can you exspect you came to me with horrible teeth I did the best that I could. I know I was on Vicadan for the pain but I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
He threatened not to do business with me anymore if I complained and hung up on me.
I panicked, I just paid this man over 11,000 up front and now he's going to walk away hours after my surgery? I called his secretary and talked to her about his insults and my concerns she was very sympathetic. She told me there's a lot of swelling after the operation and she said she would talk to the dentist. He called back and appologized and wanted to see me the next day.
After many adjustments and a relining to both the upper and lower dentures I could wear them with some confort but I still couldn't talk clearly. After two weeks my face still looked swollen due to the upper denture being to big for my face and eating was impossible, I lost 15 lbs. I told my dentist I couldn't talk right with them and I was worried because I had to return to work. I was afraid of the comments I would get at work. He told me I had to be patient.

When I returned to work two weeks later there was no hiding why I was out. My co-worker immediately wanted to know why I had taken time off. So I told her. I couldn't hide it the dentures were so bad. She in turn told all of the 65 people I worked with. And each of them made a point of coming by to "look" at me. At the end of an awful and humiliating day one co-worker came over and gave me a hug and told me they look good.

In the next few appointments I had with my dentist he finally heard me. And he made the nessary adjustments to the upper denture. He had to take off so much of the denture to fit my face that when he was done the denture was very thin and the teeth were flat, but I still couldn't talk right. Now he admitted it "was a disaster" and he would make up for it by making a new pair at no cost. But he wanted me to wait a little longer because I was still healing and the longer we wait the better it will be.

Four months later he made the impression for the upper denture. When we had the wax try in I couldn't believe it, it felt good! It felt great! it was comfortable. And good god I could talk! But the teeth were yellow and too small. My dentist told me they weren't he said that they were the same color as the lower. His assistant and I disagreed, then he finally agreed the color was off and made a note for the change in color. The size and shape of the teeth were another story. It's funny cause he tells me this is just a try in and until I'm happy with the teeth they won't get made. I told him I want the teeth higher and longer so when I smile I'm not all gums and tiny teeth. he tells me the teeth can't get longer but he can have them put up higher so there's less gum.
The next appointment the teeth are higher. I like the way it looks when I smile but I want the teeth longer and not pointed inward. It's not giving me enough lip support. He tells me this is the best he can do that they can't make the teeth longer. I'm not happy with the teeth or the lip support. He tells me this just a temporary. I settle, after all its far beter than what I had and I can talk.
Two weeks later the teeth are made. They are comfortable and they are nice looking but they aren't even close to what was once the look, feel, and shape of what my teeth had been. But they feel great. And for the first time I was able to bite into a peice of chicken!
I don't know where he had those made he won't tell me. But I never needed an adjustment on them they agreeded with my mouth. There was just one little thing that bothered me about them. They had a name tag on them and if you laughed you could see it. My daughter noticed it right away. I thought about taking a dremel to it myself to take it off but I was afraid to. I was afraid to have the dentist do it because I just had this feeling that he would screw it up. But I didn't want people to KNOW I had dentures and the name tag gave it away. So I asked my dentist if he could do something about it. "No problem" he said, "funny your the second person to say that" and off he goes to get rid of the name tag. I took a quick look at it, yup its gone. I said thank you and off I go to work. About a hour later I run my tongue across that area and I notice the teeth are REAL sharp. To remove a small name tag that wasn't near the teeth he took off haft the teeth on the upper left side of the denture. When I tell him about this he denies that the teeth are haft gone. We argue. I told him he ruined my denture. He tells me to leave them with him for a day and he'll have the teeth removed and new ones put in. But I don't trust him so I told him I'll wait until he makes the final upper then he can fix what he messed up.

Six months later comes the adjustment for the final lower. I can't wait I have to use so much adhesive at least three times a day or more (depends on if I eat) to keep the lower in.
The impression is made. I wait a week for the wax try in.
The wax try in is a disaster I can't bite down without eye tearing pain. He makes an "adjustment" oh god.. that doesn't work so he makes another, that doesnt work. So he yanks them out all disgusted at me! and walks off saying it doesn't matter he"ll make the adjustment later. I'm left sitting there with ??????????????? and I'm dismissed. I never even got to see the teeth!

This man allowed me no say in my final denture. I'm left with the thought that if the wax try in doesn't fit why would he think the denture will. But I'm dismissed!
He makes the denture and low and behold the denture doesn't fit! Three adjustments latter and he's shaved down the teeth on the right side so much there's not much left. And now I'm stuck with a denture that bites down on the right side but not the left and looks crooked and causes me emense pain. Not to mention that the teeth are these timy little freakish things the size of baby teeth.
I complain and he tells me the session is OVER. I tell him to PLEASE listen to me, PLEASE look at them. He talks over me. I plead with him to listen to me but I basically get thrown out of the office and told to "call him when I get ulcers then he can make the adjustments"

I just wanted to smile again.
But instead I went home and had a total emotional melt down.[/QUOTE]