dentures
 

I need upper dentures and probably lower dentures and am really scared.
should i have sedation when the teeth are pulled? should i have the uppers done first and wait several months and then do the bottom ones or have them done at once? About how long does it take to get used to dentures? what happens if you have dry mouth from all the meds? what is the best cleaner? do you recommend an adhesive too?
thanks a lot
bobby

Hi bobby,

You need to have a comprehensive examination and xrays to determine if all of your teeth need to be removed. Have you had those things done? If so, what was the diagnosis and treatment plan from your dentist?

Bryanna

i went to nyc dental clinic and they did xrays and cleaning and measuring pockets and then said i needed dentures. that was as far as i got. i wasn't ready to get dentures. i was too afraid and wasn't having trouble eating. now somebody told me about bellevue where the prices are good. i am getting more and more ready to go
bobby

Bobby,

So there diagnosis was what? Advanced periodontal disease? Why the dentures?

Bryanna

they didn't give me a diagnosis. they just said i needed dentures and that my teeth would fall out. I was trying to get some ideas when i see the new dentist so i would have some knowledge instead of just relying on what he said. i don't have much money so that was why i first chose nyu dental clinic and now am going to try bellevue. thank you so much replying.
bobby

Bobby,

You have not given us much information to go by here. So it would be impossible to offer you any guidance at this point. I hope you get a clearer understanding of your dental situation at Bellevue.

Good Luck,
Bryanna

thank you. I know I didn't give you any information. I am sorry. I think that is one of the reasons I am so frightened and have waited so long to take care of the problem. I was shocked when I was told I needed dentures. I only know one person who has them and she told me to have sedation and have it done in two steps. I guess i was looking for confirmation. I was looking on the web to see what was the best cleaner and adhesives and got totally confused.
take care
bobby

Bobby,

Do you have rampant decay and broken teeth? Meaning are all of your teeth badly decayed? Do you have periodontal disease.... meaning loose teeth, deep pocketing, infections....? If so, what do you think has caused these things to occur? Do you smoke?

The reason I ask these questions is because all of these issues can affect your surgery, your post op and ultimately the fit of your dentures.

I know you are scared.... that is totally understandable. I get the feeling that you are very young.... yes? I would like to try and help you.

There are few cleansers for dentures and basically the best thing to use would be diluted baking soda on a toothbrush. Many of the adhesives contain zinc which is not healthy on a long term basis. So a product called Secure denture adhesive does not contain zinc and it holds dentures in place really well.

Not all denture wearers need adhesive. The fit of the dentures depends on the individual anatomy and how well the patient heals.

If you would like to discuss this further, just let me know.

Bryanna

thank you so very much. I am going on 69. my teeth aren't broken or decayed.I had my gums cut about twenty years ago and had a bridge put in the upper left hand side. that fell off a few years ago and the teeth came out. I did smoke. I also suffer from dry mouth from all the medications i take. I guess i have periodontal disease. You already just gave me a lot of information which I really appreciate.
again thanks so much
bobby

Bobby,

For some reason I got the impression that you were a bit younger and I couldn't help but be concerned about why you were losing all of your teeth! Sorry if I was pressing you for information :/

In your case, you could have one arch done at a time and then the other one soon thereafter. Usually the upper arch is done first. The extractions and the immediate denture is placed at the same appointment. The denture acts as a band aid, helps reduce the swelling and also helps to shape the bone as it is healing so the permanent denture can fit better. A month or so later the lower teeth can be removed and that denture can be placed at that same time. Then 6 months to a year later, a new set of permanent dentures can be made for both arches. The reason for the two sets of dentures is because after the arches fully heal, the original set will no longer fit properly. They can be relined a couple of times but that's about it.

I hope this information has helped.... thanks for sharing your story with us. I wish you all the best!

Bryanna

thanks so much. my picture was taken years ago when my two dogs were alive so that is why you might have thought i was younger. I had to get my dogs in even though now I have two precious kitty cats.
that makes sense about the two dentures and that makes me feel better.
thank you. do you think my dry mouth will make it more difficult for me to be a denture wearer or is it an individual matter?.
take care
bobby

Hi Bobby I had my teeth removed last summer it sounds very much like what you a doing. I had awake sedation and do not remember a thing I woke up with my dentures in my mouth. The dentist did both upper and lower at the same time I had very little pain witch really surprized me. The only problem is the lower are the hardest to get used to as you have to try to control the tongue muscle I wish you all the luck it cost me around 8000.00 to have the teeth pulled and the cost of both upper and lower dentures. Anything I can help you with just ask. Oh I am already in so much pain I was worried this would send me over the edge I really had no problem

thank you. two at the same time....wow....how long did it take you to get used to the bottom dentures? what is awake sedation? I didn't understand about the pain. Did you mean you were in pain before you had it done and afterwards it was all right? I wonder if you were as scared as I am lol.
Bobby

Hi Bobby,

Yes, the picture threw me a bit.... easy to make assumptions when online :/

Unfortunately having a chronically dry mouth does complicate anything related to dental. I imagine you have this condition due (in part) to medications? If so then that will continue to be an issue even after the dentures are done. Keep in mind that most seniors have some form of dry mouth and most of them do really well with their dentures :)

There are some things that may be helpful:

Drink water throughout the day.

Try using Xylitol mints. A good company that makes them is Xlear and they are called Spry Mints. They contain no sugar or additives. Xylitol can be helpful with increasing the salivary flow.

Use the denture adhesive called Secure because it does not contain any ingredients that dry out the oral tissue. They even make one that has aloe and myrrh in it which is therapeutic to the oral tissue.
http://www.securedenture.com/new-sec...adhesive.aspx/

Never use any mouthwash product containing alcohol, chemicals or preservatives because they only decrease the salivary flow making the situation worse.

Thanks for sharing a bit more..... I know this is very scary .... but try to focus on the health benefits of removing those ill teeth!! You will need to be patient and take things slow with eating and speaking until you get use to them but remember...... you will also have a full, beautiful smile :)

Be well....
Bryanna

Hi toni-lynne,

Thanks so much for sharing your personal experience! It helps so much for someone who has been there to open up to others about their journey.

Are you still wearing the original set of dentures or did you have another set made already? Did you have your dentures relined at all?

What denture adhesive are you using? How are you doing with the lower dentures at this point?

Thanks!!
Bryanna

Sedation in Dentistry...
 

Awake sedation can mean one of two things....

One it can be called Twilight which means some anesthetic medication is given intravenously and it makes the patient sleep but not as profoundly as general sedation. The patient is unaware of what is going on, feels nothing and wakes up fairly easily after the surgery is over. Sedation recovery time from this form of sedation is relatively easy also. The patient is also given local anesthetic in their mouths to numb up all of the areas being worked on which will last for several hours after the procedure is done.

Two... this could mean oral sedation in which the patient takes enough of a drug like valium or halcyon to make them sleepy. Sometimes these drugs are used in combination with nitrous oxide gas. The sedation recovery time with these meds is a bit longer in some patients depending on their tolerance to the specific drugs used. Again, local anesthetic is used to numb all of the areas in the mouth being worked on.

Hope this helps!
Bryanna

thank you so much
bobby

Hi Bobby Really Bobby I think It took me about 6 wks, Awake sedation means I was awake but unaware I did'nt need a breathing tube when it was all over with they took the I.V. out and i woke up right away. As for the pain I was only in pain every time I got an abscess every 8 to 12 wks. The pain afterwards was minimal I really would have my teeth done every 2 to 3 mos and trade for the nerve pain I have now

Hi Bryanna Im still wearing my original dentures they have put a rubbery caulking like stuff in and then they have you put pressure on them I'm wearing no adhesive and really find no need to at some point I may want to try it on the bottom, these ones have really fit well since the very beginning but that is when you have the most shrinkage something like 6 to 12mnths after the extractions. So far so good I guess Im very lucky

Toni-lynne,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
So glad you did well with the surgery and are continuing to well!

Please keep in touch along your journey... ok :)

Bryanna