R
Ranyart Finn
Junior member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2025
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- Canada
Having been scared stiff of dentists for most of my adult life, my teeth were a mess. Several missing back teeth, gum inflammation, loose teeth, and then tooth loss on the bottom row, and I knew I had to overcome the fear. I've had my fair share of bad toothache and controlled it with ibuprofen, and I wasn't in any pain when I made my decision, but I was tired of how I looked and felt. Eating was an increasing challenge, and I was lisping with the missing bottom teeth.
My biggest fear was how I might be judged for being so stupidly neglectful. I'm sure that this is something anyone who's afraid of dentists will have felt. I'd already prepared myself for needing complete extractions and dentures (implants are out - due both to cost, length of time, surgery involved, and the fact that implants really aren't a sure-fire success); now all I had to worry about was being given a (much-deserved) dressing-down by the dentist I chose. I was braced for the worst.
That first dental appointment saw me nervous, but also sort of happy that I was finally doing something. When my turn came for the chair, I found my dentist to be kind, attentive, non-judgmental, and the polar opposite of what I'd psyched myself to expect: he was wonderful. He was encouraging, frank about my options (yes, all my teeth would need removing; yes, dentures, but also insistent that the process would be worth it, and sleeping through the procedure was possible and, given the extent of the work, advisable). With the treatment manager we worked-up a plan for a few more visits; full examination and x-rays, impressions taking, then the extraction date. I knew what to expect at every step of the way, and, most importantly, it was positive and reassuring. My fear of the dentist evaporated at that point.
A couple of complications meant that the extraction date had to be put back a month, but I found myself actually looking forward to it. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on what to expect from the procedure and getting temporary dentures, so I really was prepared for X-Day. On that sunny Saturday, my wife drove me to the dentists, and it wasn't long before I was in the chair, chatting with the dental nurse about what was going to happen. She was talking to me as she slipped the IV into my arm, and I didn't even feel it going in - she was that good and that relaxing. She asked me just to lie back and relax, and that is the last thing I recall until I came round, mouth full of gauze, denture in place, and feeling a little disoriented. No pain, no real discomfort, and the oral surgeon said that everything had gone really well.
The only catch - and there had to be one - was that for reasons unknown, only my top denture had been made and sent. This was a real blow, but I was assured that everything would be rectified as soon as possible. Despite the disappointment, at least I only had the top teeth to get used to, and so I resigned myself to the set-back. At home, my denture felt very loose and wouldn't stay in, but this was because my mouth was so dry from the gauze. Once the bleeding had slowed so that I could drink water easily, suction was available and the top denture held itself in place. No bottom teeth wasn't really all that bad, and by next day I was used to it. I suffered no pain at all, and the swelling wasn't too bad either. I didn't need the pain meds I'd been prescribed, but I did take the anti-inflammatories. By day 3, I was able to remove the upper denture (very weird - it still is) and I felt great. I could smile, and even sans bottom teeth, felt so much better than I had.
The bottom denture was fitted two weeks later, and this really did feel odd. It needed an immediate reline as my bottom gums had shrunk, and I had to have the gumline of the denture reduced as it dug into my jaw a little - but once that was done, I started getting used to a full mouth again, and now its a month in, and I'm pretty much into this new reality. Eating is still a challenge: I'm having to adapt how I eat certain foods, and I do need adhesive to keep top and bottom dents in place, but each day it gets a little easier and my techniques develop. I'm proud of my new teeth, but also proud of myself for taking this step. It was - is - a big deal, but it was necessary on several levels, and I don't regret the decision to get rid of the rotten old molars one bit.
I've been lucky in that I haven't had any pain at all, but the biggest relief has been the kindness and support shown by the dental staff. I felt in good, safe hands, and that meant a let. Despite the mess up with the lower denture being late, the whole experience has been extremely positive, and my ondontophobia has been overcome.
If you're thinking of doing this - extractions and dentures - are nervous about it or unsure... don't be. The fear is natural, but it can be faced and overcome. Take that step; it's worth it - and while everyone has different experiences, and it is a huge change, it's worthwhile. I can smile with confidence, feel confident, and don't worry about what people may think when they glimpse my teeth.
I've changed for the better.
My biggest fear was how I might be judged for being so stupidly neglectful. I'm sure that this is something anyone who's afraid of dentists will have felt. I'd already prepared myself for needing complete extractions and dentures (implants are out - due both to cost, length of time, surgery involved, and the fact that implants really aren't a sure-fire success); now all I had to worry about was being given a (much-deserved) dressing-down by the dentist I chose. I was braced for the worst.
That first dental appointment saw me nervous, but also sort of happy that I was finally doing something. When my turn came for the chair, I found my dentist to be kind, attentive, non-judgmental, and the polar opposite of what I'd psyched myself to expect: he was wonderful. He was encouraging, frank about my options (yes, all my teeth would need removing; yes, dentures, but also insistent that the process would be worth it, and sleeping through the procedure was possible and, given the extent of the work, advisable). With the treatment manager we worked-up a plan for a few more visits; full examination and x-rays, impressions taking, then the extraction date. I knew what to expect at every step of the way, and, most importantly, it was positive and reassuring. My fear of the dentist evaporated at that point.
A couple of complications meant that the extraction date had to be put back a month, but I found myself actually looking forward to it. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on what to expect from the procedure and getting temporary dentures, so I really was prepared for X-Day. On that sunny Saturday, my wife drove me to the dentists, and it wasn't long before I was in the chair, chatting with the dental nurse about what was going to happen. She was talking to me as she slipped the IV into my arm, and I didn't even feel it going in - she was that good and that relaxing. She asked me just to lie back and relax, and that is the last thing I recall until I came round, mouth full of gauze, denture in place, and feeling a little disoriented. No pain, no real discomfort, and the oral surgeon said that everything had gone really well.
The only catch - and there had to be one - was that for reasons unknown, only my top denture had been made and sent. This was a real blow, but I was assured that everything would be rectified as soon as possible. Despite the disappointment, at least I only had the top teeth to get used to, and so I resigned myself to the set-back. At home, my denture felt very loose and wouldn't stay in, but this was because my mouth was so dry from the gauze. Once the bleeding had slowed so that I could drink water easily, suction was available and the top denture held itself in place. No bottom teeth wasn't really all that bad, and by next day I was used to it. I suffered no pain at all, and the swelling wasn't too bad either. I didn't need the pain meds I'd been prescribed, but I did take the anti-inflammatories. By day 3, I was able to remove the upper denture (very weird - it still is) and I felt great. I could smile, and even sans bottom teeth, felt so much better than I had.
The bottom denture was fitted two weeks later, and this really did feel odd. It needed an immediate reline as my bottom gums had shrunk, and I had to have the gumline of the denture reduced as it dug into my jaw a little - but once that was done, I started getting used to a full mouth again, and now its a month in, and I'm pretty much into this new reality. Eating is still a challenge: I'm having to adapt how I eat certain foods, and I do need adhesive to keep top and bottom dents in place, but each day it gets a little easier and my techniques develop. I'm proud of my new teeth, but also proud of myself for taking this step. It was - is - a big deal, but it was necessary on several levels, and I don't regret the decision to get rid of the rotten old molars one bit.
I've been lucky in that I haven't had any pain at all, but the biggest relief has been the kindness and support shown by the dental staff. I felt in good, safe hands, and that meant a let. Despite the mess up with the lower denture being late, the whole experience has been extremely positive, and my ondontophobia has been overcome.
If you're thinking of doing this - extractions and dentures - are nervous about it or unsure... don't be. The fear is natural, but it can be faced and overcome. Take that step; it's worth it - and while everyone has different experiences, and it is a huge change, it's worthwhile. I can smile with confidence, feel confident, and don't worry about what people may think when they glimpse my teeth.
I've changed for the better.
What an awesome testimony! So glad things worked out so good for you having excellent kind care and taking this huge step and having it be better. How encouraging!! Thank you!