afraid to make a decision about partials

[professional lady]

I have put this decision off 4 years, but now all my back teeth are gone so I have to do something. I have been to 4 different dentists in the past 3 years; have been told 3 different stories. Part of this is my phobia; part is the fact that I just don't know what to do/who to believe. My first dentist said that there are no decent teeth that would anchor a partial, that my teeth are all too fragile to handle the abuse. He said I needed anchors or something in my jaw (which is expensive). The next dentist said he was incorrect, that they'd hold them. But then the insurance I had (which I have since dropped since it doesn't pay for anything) rejected his pre-authorization, agreeing with the first dentist.

Long story short; two dentists said don't waste my time getting partials without an anchor in my jaw. Two others said to go ahead and get them. (They all agree the top would be fine; its the bottom that's the problem). My latest dentist I like but he too said to go ahead and get dentures. But of course he would; he's going to make $3000 on them or whatever! I had a podiatrist talk me into surgery one time that ruined my feet so I don't trust anyone that wants to make money off me. But I know I have to do something. Does anyone know if the bottom partial is going to work without decent teeth to anchor it to? If worse comes to worse and they ruin more of my bottom teeth, can I then get the anchors (they are expensive). I worry about this everyday because I feel like I will lose the rest of my teeth if I continue chewing with them; I already noticed they are all much smaller than in pictures of me 15 years ago. I'm just chipping away at them and don't want to lose more. Thanks so much if someone can advise me.

 

[rob wain]

Hi
I assume by anchors you mean implants?
Lower dentures are much more difficult to cope with than upper dentures, particularly if you've not get any back teeth left.
If you don't wear a denture then the front teeth wear down but if you do wear a denture then it puts additional strain on the lower teeth and they loosen - you can't win I'm afraid.
Ask your dentist how long he thinks the remaining teeth will last if:
1. you do nothing and don't have a lower denture and
2. you have no anchors placed but just a lower denture made.
3. you have lower anchors placed and a denture on the anchors.
final question to ask is what treatment will you need when the remaining teeth fail - he'll probably say an implant retained overdenture.
With this information you should be able to work out what best fits your circumastances and budget.
Best of luck
Rob

 

[gamergirl123]

I have put this decision off 4 years, but now all my back teeth are gone so I have to do something. I have been to 4 different dentists in the past 3 years; have been told 3 different stories. Part of this is my phobia; part is the fact that I just don't know what to do/who to believe. My first dentist said that there are no decent teeth that would anchor a partial, that my teeth are all too fragile to handle the abuse. He said I needed anchors or something in my jaw (which is expensive). The next dentist said he was incorrect, that they'd hold them. But then the insurance I had (which I have since dropped since it doesn't pay for anything) rejected his pre-authorization, agreeing with the first dentist.

Long story short; two dentists said don't waste my time getting partials without an anchor in my jaw. Two others said to go ahead and get them. (They all agree the top would be fine; its the bottom that's the problem). My latest dentist I like but he too said to go ahead and get dentures. But of course he would; he's going to make $3000 on them or whatever! I had a podiatrist talk me into surgery one time that ruined my feet so I don't trust anyone that wants to make money off me. But I know I have to do something. Does anyone know if the bottom partial is going to work without decent teeth to anchor it to? If worse comes to worse and they ruin more of my bottom teeth, can I then get the anchors (they are expensive). I worry about this everyday because I feel like I will lose the rest of my teeth if I continue chewing with them; I already noticed they are all much smaller than in pictures of me 15 years ago. I'm just chipping away at them and don't want to lose more. Thanks so much if someone can advise me.

By anchoring, it sounds like they mean like having the partials hook on and be held by just the hold points. That doesn't have to be the case and you could just use a denture adhesive instead. I've had uppers and lower partials since May and the lowers have never hooked on.

 

[professional lady]

Thank to both of you for your feedback; I did wonder how the adhesive would work. I think at some point I will lose my other teeth; they are small/thin so I don't think they will last forever. At least I know now what to ask the dentist. Thanks!