Facing down dentures at age 37. Moral support needed,please?

[AlienGirl]

My SO has done a lot of contacting cancer charities and treatment centers, and it looks like my choice will be either frequent, expensive dental visits to preserve the *possibility* of keeping some of my own teeth for a decade or so, with eventual tooth loss and dentures inevitable anyway; or biting the bullet while my bones still have some capacity for repair and getting them all pulled and getting dentures while jawbone structure may be preserved.

Trying to keep my own teeth will cost somewhere around $70,000 long term.

Dentures would be a hefty initial investment, in the $30,000 range, but less long-term and the pain and infections will stop.

Can a woman with false teeth still be pretty? Can a person with dentures still eat regular food? Would this be, you know, the end of my valid social life? Will I automatically be seen by everyone as the toofless yokel?

Tucker

[Wapsie B]

1. Good vibes to you.

I know people who are quite attractive with dentures. I would just make sure however that I'd find an absolute master craftsman to make the false teeth. I've seen people who've had to go back several times to get things altered in order to keep them in. There are Prosthodontists/Denturists out there I wouldn't let near my mouth should I ever need dentures while others really have a gift at crafting a set of dentures.

[laylah]

4. ...

"Can a woman with false teeth still be pretty? Can a person with dentures still eat regular food? Would this be, you know, the end of my valid social life? Will I automatically be seen by everyone as the toofless yokel?"

Oh Tucker, of course you'll still be pretty! I have a few lady friends who have had dentures for some time, some voluntarily, others not; however, they are lovely, confident women. They eat what they want and believe me, the LAST thing they are seen as is "toofless yokels".

This is a hard decision, I am sure. My thoughts are with you :hug:

Jenn

[Demoiselle]

15. I couldn't have said it better!

They've made terrific progress with all kinds of dental work these days--dentures too.
All the best to you.

[TicketyBoo]

2. Good grief.

I'd get a second estimate if I were you.

http://www.costhelper.com/cost/health/dentures.html

[AlienGirl]

3. The big cost would be hyperbaric oxygen treatment to heal after extraction

[backwoodsbob]

43. why the hell would you need hyperbaric treatment?

I had a similar situation...had 13 teeth pulled in two weeks..got dentures.

you wouldn't know they were dentures if I didnt tell you and at FAR LESS than you are paying...payed about 2500 total

[AlienGirl]

51. Bones are damaged from radiation treatment for cancer, healing severely impaired.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

62. Are you talking abut "Dentures" or "implants"?

My brother-in-law got implants while his bone was still healthy and he thought
it was a better alternative to dentures.

They are permanent and you dont need to remove for cleaning...

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Get the dentures! Paying for years of pain makes no sense and...

I should have gotten dentures when I was in my 30s. Maybe even 20s. Paid tons of money for lousy teeth, and eventually lost them all anyway.

No, nobody will notice you have dentures unless you point it out. They might notice you have nice teeth.

Yes, you will be able to eat just about everything. I eat apples, corn on the cob, and pretty much everything aside from crunchy peanut butter. The crunchy bits can get stuck under the bottom plate and be very embarassing.

I cannot crack walnuts. Maybe I can, but I never tried because I don't want to take a chance on breaking the teeth. But, I couldn't crack walnuts with my real teeth, either.

[zanana1]

7. I agree with that. Get the dentures!

Yes, you will still look pretty; probably even more so. Dentures don't look fake anymore the way they did in the days of yore. Besides, no more pain! I struggled with toothaches, fillings, tooth canals, etc. for so many years. Getting dentures was such a relief for me and, if I don't mind saying so myself, I looked pretty good in them!

[Sky Masterson]

6. "Can a woman with false teeth still be pretty?"

She would be even prettier because she could smile with confidence. :)
I think you are making the right decision.

[undeterred]

8. I know someone in her forties who has an upper denture.

She has a low paying job and no insurance. She was in a lot of pain because of one tooth- and she had a bridge. Finally she went to a dentist. They told her that if she had the tooth pulled the bridge would no longer stay in her mouth. All in all they recommended to take out all her top teeth- she had 7 natural teeth. There was a place that would fit her for a denture as inexpensively as possible. A lot of people pitched in to help her pay for it.

When she smiles, the upper teeth are perfect. Better than before, and she has no pain.

She is still lovely, and you would be too. :hi:

[Maine-ah]

9. it will be ok...

A very good friend of mine had to get them when he was in his late 20's. Basically he had almost all his teeth pulled in 2 different sessions with the dentist. He was very upset about having it done at such a young age too, but once it was done and he saw the results, he was quite pleased he had it done. You would never know that he has dentures, unless he told you.

Good luck, and in the long run, it sounds like this is probably the best decision for you.

:hug:

[MilesColtrane]

10. Are implants out of the question?

I have a couple, and it seems to me that even a whole mouthful of them would be preferable to dentures.

[Deep13]

27. One doesn't need a whole mouthful.

Eight will hold a set of dentures without movement. Saw a pamphlet on it in the dentist's office.

[Arugula Latte]

32. It might even be less than eight.

[azmouse]

11. My mom got dentures when she was only 32.

She's survived quite well and was happy to have her teeth out.
She had terrible teeth that just rotted and nothing could be done.

Dentures look very natural today. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.
If your eyesight was bad you get glasses.
If your hearing was bad you get a hearing aid.
If your teeth are bad you get dentures. It's just what is done.
I hope everything works out well for you.

[grace0418]

12. My mother got full dentures when she was in her early twenties. She has lived

a normal life and has been able to eat and enjoy all kinds of food. For the most part her dentures looked just fine, and her first pair was almost 60 years ago. They've made a lot of advances since then.

I wouldn't worry about it at all, you'll be much happier without the pain and infections, and it shouldn't impact the quality of life much at all. Once they find a good fit for you, they'll be very convincing. Especially when you consider that these days people tend to overwhiten their teeth to the point of not looking very natural even if they are "real".

Big hugs, I know it must be hard to deal with this. :hug:

[demtenjeep]

13. This is something I may be facing in the future.

I take very good care of my teeth as I realized I was lucky to have braces when I was young. Sadly, those same braces probably screwed up my teeth.

[noamnety]

14. People seemed to find Clark Gable attractive.

He got full dentures at 32. :)

[hayu_lol]

16. $30,000 seems a bit on the expensive side...

My top plate ran about $700. That included extractions.

You can almost eat everything. Avoid Corn Nuts said my dentist.

You will be attractive, have no fears.

You will feel better.

They are easier to brush(lol).

No pain.

If necessary, there are creams/powders to help hold them in place.

Beat that price however...someone must have seen you drive up in your Ferrari.

[AlienGirl]

18. It's an unusual situation

To get the extractions, I'll need sedation, possibly even general anesthesia, so my mouth can be propped open far enough (I have limited jaw opening). I'll also need hyperbaric oxygen therapy for IIRC two weeks before and several weeks after the surgery, so that the bones--damaged by radiation--will heal well enough to support the "snaps" that attach the plates in. The whole thing will have to be done by someone with experience with post-radiation oral cancer patients, because no one else will accept me as a patient for anything but the most basic work.

Then there is a chance I'll have lost some of the jawbone, and would need a bone graft. Don't even want to think about that...

The plates themselves probably don't cost so much; it's getting the work done that will be expensive.

Tucker

[TicketyBoo]

25. If you are needing this work done

as part of (or because of) cancer treatment, medical insurance should pay for it (assuming you have health insurance), even if you don't have dental insurance. Even if it isn't related to the cancer, if it's a medically necessary procedure, health insurance should kick in and help you out.

Our health insurance covered extraction of our son's wisdom teeth because it was medically necessary. We didn't have dental insurance.

[dysfunctional press]

39. "support the "snaps" that attach the plates in"...

by 'plates' are you referring to the dentures?

i've never heard of that- snaps to attach the plates...everyone i know that has dentures(including me) uses denture adhesive.

will your dentures be removable?

[merh]

66. perhaps she is talking about these pins that help hold the plates

[texanwitch]

17. What about dental implants.

I know someone with implants.

They were cheaper then dentures.

They can be done very quickly.

[AlienGirl]

19. I'll ask--but last time I asked around, the theory was my bone wasn't good enough

[dysfunctional press]

31. that's what prevented me from getting implants...

that and the price tag. i had too much bone loss in my lower jaw, and getting implants could have caused it to 'break off'...which would be a TOTAL bummer.

[BlueIris]

20. Don't think you'll be a toothless yokel. Just make the best decision for your overall health. nt

[marzipanni]

21. My mom is 95 and has had dentures since she was ~55

Her dentist made them to match her own teeth, even a little less than white (she smoked a bit of tobacco in those days) and not perfectly aligned. People my parents knew said they
thought these teeth were artfully done because they looked the same as the teeth she had since she was 11 or so! (I think that's when the last molars come in, other than wisdom teeth)
My MIL, on the other hand, is 85, and was just complaining about spending $3000.00 on getting her own teeth fixed.

I think it makes sense to get dentures, but, as others have said, find someone who makes natural looking well-fitting ones.

[MiddleFingerMom]

22. I had a 25-year-old girlfriend (when I was about 25)...

.
... and one night, after we had split up, a mutual friend asked the two of us
how I had reacted when I found out that she had full dentures (following a
terrible car accident).
.
My ex was mortified... and I was puzzled.
.
My ex was gorgeous. I never knew -- although we spent a LOT of time together --
sometime days on end.
.
My first reaction after the surprise wore off was, "I can't BELIEVE you never,
um... you know... showed me.
.
All three of us knew EXACTLY what I was talking about.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I STILL can't believe she didn't, um... you know... show me.
.

[Dappleganger]

23. Your health and happiness is more important than what you think

that others will think of you. Nobody will ever know unless you tell them, either. If it was me and had the same issues I'd get it done in a heartbeat. Good luck.

[Mike 03]

24. AlienGirl, first, it's so good to see you. I remember you from years ago here

and I thought you had left. It is so good to see you--you were always one of my favorite "voices of sanity" here.

I didn't know you were coping with cancer and these horrifically serious issues. My heart goes out to you. I am dealing with something in my family too, not me (yet), but a close family member with cancer.

Anyone can be pretty. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it is probably a cliche because it is true: people who are beautiful on the inside are beautiful, period. Besides, so many of us guys are nothing to write home about, who are we to be making such judgments. You are beautiful because of your views, your stands on issues, your compassion for others. I never even thought to ask what you look like.

But it is not my role to give advice, but rather support. Whichever way you choose to go, I am standing with you.

[raccoon]

26. Good vibes to you. I had a boyfriend who had his upper teeth out--

they were too far gone to save--and got upper dentures. He was very satisfied with them, and they looked good.

These days, they don't make them look so perfect that everyone knows they can't be real. :hug:

[livetohike]

28. Of course you will still look pretty!

How many of the movie stars actually have their own natural teeth without some work or another being done? They aren't all perfect - not one of them. No one is perfect. No one will even notice unless you tell them.

[The empressof all]

29. I just went through this process--

I'm in my 50's. I think I look much better with my new teeth!...You'll still be beautiful--That I promise! I was quoted about 30,000 to have all my teeth removed and upper and lower dentures inserted. This included general anesthesia as I was very fearful. After talking to many people I wound up having my teeth extracted in two visits to the dentists and the dentures inserted at the last visit. I waited a week between the extractions as I did this over the holidays to capture the 2009 and 2010 dental insurance cap. The extraction process was really not awful and I'm dental phobic. The worst part is the shots which just take a minute. My total cost before the dental insurance was $6000. Big big savings. I looked into traveling to Mexico and to Hungary for this and I wound up getting the best price a few miles away from my house. With your special circumstances...have you looked into going to Hungary? It will still be pricey but if you are paying for this yourself you may be able to save some money. It's difficult however to think about getting this done so far from home.

You can always PM me if you want to know more about it. I promise...It's not as awful as you are anticipating. I can say it takes a while to be able to eat like you use to. I'm about two months in and I still need to have things cut on the small side and can't do really hard things like nuts.

[dysfunctional press]

33. i can't believe how much dentures cost some people...

i'm 49, and i had all of my teeth extracted, and got full dentures, and the total bill was around $2500. $30,000 sounds more like the cost of implants.

my dentist was 1/2 block away and around the corner- i didn't even have to cross a street when i walked to his office.

[The empressof all]

38. The $30,000 price tag was due to the hospital costs

It involved using a surgery room, and anesthesiologist, and an over night stay. I too have some medical issues that create some high risk with anesthesia. I bit the bullet and did it with just Novocain and saved the 25,000 that I didn't have to spend anyway. But I didn't have all the major issues Aliengirl has. Sounds like she doesn't have that option. I have awful dental insurance and with toggling between two calender years for the procedures I paid 1500 out of pocket. I also used a Denturist as opposed to a Prosthedondist and used a regular dentist for the extractions rather than an oral surgeon.

[dysfunctional press]

40. i had all my teeth extracted AND my dentures done by my regular dentist...

and by that, i'm sure that he himself didn't 'make' them, but i didn't have to go to someone else myself to have the work done.

and all of my extractions were done in the regular dentist chair, with just novocaine...:shrug:

and i don't have any dental insurance.

[AlienGirl]

41. How many days' hyperbaric oxygen therapy did you require afterward?

[dysfunctional press]

49. i don't think that it's a standard practice for getting dentures.

btw- what's the deal with the 'snaps' you mention to hold the plates in place? are you referring to the dentures?
does it have something to do with the oral cancer as well...? i've never seen dentures that were held in place by 'snaps'. :shrug:

[AlienGirl]

50. It was what the dentist showed me on his denture model

There were these two titanium nubbins implanted in the jaw, and the denture sort of snapped into them. I don't know if that's SOP or not; he was heavily trying to talk me into a "save all the teeth you can and damn the expense" plan.

Tucker

[dysfunctional press]

53. it sounds kind of like a cross between implants and dentures...

like i said- i've never seen or heard of those...i can see where there might be some advantages- as far as holding the dentures in place. personally, i'd be kind of leary, as it seems that it would require more surgery than i'd be comfortable with. as i mentioned elswhere in the thread, my dentist advised me against implants due to significant bone loss in my jaw. i use denture adhesive to keep mine in place- and while it may not be a perfect solution...the snap thing would just weird me out. but- that's just me...i don't/can't even wear any kind of jewelry(not even a watch or my wedding ring) for pretty much the same reason...:shrug:

best of luck- and don't worry about how the dentures will look- virtually nobody is going to know, unless you tell them. honestly.
as a lot of other people in the thread have commented, getting dentures was the best decision i've ever made about my teeth.

[AlienGirl]

56. It seems to be the preferred system for patients without saliva, combined with cushioning adhesive

[AlienGirl]

42. I had oral cancer. High doses of radiation to the entire mouth. It changes the options radically.

[dysfunctional press]

47. ah. you didn't make any mention of that in your op.

did the 'empress of all' have the same condition?
she said that she was quoted $30K as well. :shrug:

[AlienGirl]

52. Sorry, I thought I had. I think Empress's situation was something else.

[The empressof all]

58. No I didn't have cancer

But I do have pre existing condition which made the oral surgeon reluctant to do the procedure in the chair. (I have hx of arrhythmia) This particular Dentist was well known for his cosmetic work and worked exclusively out of a "boutique" hospital. He was extremely over priced IMO. My quote was for full upper and lower extractions, denture including the titanium nubs in the bottom jaw, anesthesia specialist, full surgical suite, nursing care and overnight stay in hospital. I didn't have the physical challenges in my mouth that Aliengirl does. I had it done in a chair a few weeks after this quote and didn't die..... Which is a good thing.

[dysfunctional press]

48. do you have oral cancer as well, then...?

i didn't realize that the op had that kind of complication involved. since you both quoted the $30K number, and you said that you just went 'thru this process'...:shrug:

[dysfunctional press]

30. $30,000??? are you getting dentures or implants?

i'm 49, and after a lifetime of bad dental health, braces, and too many root canals to remember, i finally had what was left of my teeth pulled and went with full dentures- ut the whole thing cost less than $2500.

implants would have been much more expensive- but i had too much bone loss in my lower jaw to allow for them.

as far as life with denturwes is concerned- they take a little getting used to, initially...but i only wish that i had made the decision to do it MUCH earlier. my teeth and my smile look MUCH BETTER than they ever have since i had my braces put on in the 6th grade. over the two years that i wore the braces- my gums got EXTREMELY inflamed and ugly, and they NEVER really recovered.

getting dentures was the best decision i've made about my health in a LONG time.

yes- you can eat normal foods, and no, nobody will see you as a 'toothless yokel' (unless maybe you go out without your dentures).

believe me- your making the right move, and you'll be VERY happy once it's done.

(and if you like giving head- your SO is going to be very happy too)

[hedgehog]

34. It sounds like your real choice is getting dentures now and having them fit well and look good

vs spending twice as much money later to try to fit dentures to a weakened jaw bone. I'd say go for what gives you the best eventual jaw structure. If getting dentures now protects the jaw, so be it. There must be all kinds of people out the with dentures, but I haven't noticed any. That goes to show how well fitted and natural looking they are these days.

There is also the possibility that getting dentures now will put a lot of care and worry behind you and allow you to get on with doing what you were doing before all this started.

Best wishes

[Deep13]

35. At least they will all be the same color.

I have dental caps that are white, light gray and yellow. Plus teeth that are yellow and fillings that are white or silver. And of course the gums under capped teeth turn a dark color. I'm not saying I would rather have dentures than these irregularities, but at least there is a limited up-side. Plus, every now and then I bit into something and an unexpected pain zings me or else I leave part of a tooth or a crown in an apple.

Do what is necessary to save your life and worry about the side effects later. When you are healthy you can think about permanently implanted dentures. For now, survive.

[Iggo]

36. 30K seems steep.

I got my uppers for about 3 grand.

Also, my mom has had dentures since she was 20, and she's a beautifil woman, with the prettiest smile I've ever seen.

[BlueIris]

37. You have a PM. nt

[Kat45]

44. A friend of mine got dentures and says it's the best thing she ever did.

She has no more tooth pain, difficulty eating, etc. She looks fine; if she hadn't told me about the dentures, I wouldn't have known she had them. Her mouth was a mess because she never, ever went to the dentist because she was scared of doing so.

Also, my father got dentures fairly young, though I don't know at what age. He was in the Army (WWII) and my mother said that if someone was having a problem with a tooth, they just pulled it. I always knew him with dentures, and he looked good. He also ate whatever he wanted (corn on the cob, whatever).

[SalmonChantedEvening]

45. Denture wearer here.

I have been since my early 30's.

The answers are as follows: Yes, yes, no, and not if they have an IQ above 60.

And not just because of the cost, but for the structural reasons as well, dentures are the wise way to go now. Especially since you already see it as inevitable.

My dentures saved my smile. Inwardly as well as outwardly. :hug:

[JNelson6563]

46. I think you should spare yourself a lot of misery

and go straight for the dentures. I have no doubt you will be as beautiful as ever my dear.

Hugs and encouragement,
Julie

[haele]

54. Dentures are no big deal -

It's not like the bad old days when they were obviously something other than teeth. And a good cosmetic dentist will fit them to your mouth in such a way that you won't even really notice they're there.
One of the guys at work lost most of his teeth (and almost lost his lower jaw) a few years ago when he was deployed to Iraq and his vehicle went over an IED. Within a couple weeks, both the military surgeon and military dentist in Germany rebuilt his jaw and provide him with lower dentures and upper bridgework so well that only the only difference between his "before" and "after" pictures where he had a full smile was the slight scaring on his jaw and right cheek.
He could get implants if he wanted, but the denture and bridge work is good enough that no one notices. And he says they're easier to keep clean as well as fix if something cracks or breaks.
Go for the dentures. It will save you pain in both your mouth and your wallet.

Haele

[FedUpWithIt All]

55. I am so glad you posted this thread. I am in a somewhat similar position.

I have been really stressed out about my options. I am tired of living with things as they are and i am afraid of "biting the bullet" as you say.

It would seem from the responses in this thread that the issue is neither as rare, at our similar ages, or as negative as i thought. It also seems as if the rough part is simply making the choice to go forward.

From what i have read, the implants really make a difference with bone loss prevention. I am not sure what your specific bone situation is but the way it was explained to me is that the bone receeds significantly once the teeth are removed. The implants sort of give the bone purpose and thus reduces bone loss. Are you thinking of the flexible dentures or the hard plate?

I suppose once you get the issue solved you'll be as wonderful as you are now but without the stress, the worry and the pain hanging over you. I know for myself it would be nice just to feel free of it.

Good luck to you. I am wishing you the best.

[KittyWampus]

57. AlienGirl, after reading this thread & your replies, I'd tell every doctor priority #1 saving your

jawbone. Whatever procedure will save your jawbone.

[Odin2005]

59. My dad has had dentures since he was in his 40s. No big deal.

:hug:

[MrsBrady]

60. you might look into going out of the country for treatment

I'm a musician, but I'm insured right now through my husband.

But I know many musicians who go out of the country to have some major work done.
Many places cater to people who are paying cash for services, but
the cost of the plane ticket....and whatever treatment they are getting is cheaper.

I haven't discussed dollars with them, but they said it was waaaay cheaper.
I've never looked into it, because like I said, I'm insured already.

But I would ask around if I were you.
might search for 'medical tourism" or "health care overseas" to see what you get.

[mycatfred]

61. My mom got dentures when she was thirty-seven

And she looked even better. Her old teeth had gaps, and her gums were deteriorating at such a rate that almost the full length of all her teeth were exposed. She had bad teeth her whole life. It made her look younger, she could eat more foods with them than before because it didn't hurt her, she stopped getting flues as often as she was. I don't think her's were that expensive, I think they ran my parents about two-thousand to twenty-one hundred before insurance. Best wishes what ever you choose!

[SeattleGirl]

63. To me, the main thing to keep in mind is your overall health.

I'm sure you know that chronic dental problems can lead to other health problems.

I know it's scary to think of getting dentures at your age, but you wouldn't be the first one, and in the end, you could be preventing yourself from having worse problems.

[travelingtypist]

64. I got mine when I was 42.

This is me with dentures. I think I look pretty.



Mine were only $10,000, but I had no insurance, so it was a cash transaction. I was also experiencing a lot of pain, couldn't eat hot, or cold or sweet, a lot of sinus infections, I had thrush, which is a yeast infection of the mouth, before the dentist got a hold of me and yanked 21 teeth.

I love, love, love my smile.

[polly7]

65. My sister had to get dentures at around the same age (if not a bit

earlier, can't quite remember), and she's gorgeous. They also make them more realistic looking now to try to match your own teeth as closely as possible. Not saying which is best for you either way, just that ........ definitely, yes, you would still look pretty: - ) Looking somewhere else seems a good idea to me, too. She had insurance, but the cost to them was still much less than that.