Dentures...advice please

[Marriet]

I live in the UK. I'm in a desperate situation with my teeth, having to turn down work, struggling to eat properly and not wanting to socialize.

I have 11 natural teeth (most of them are mobile) and two partial dentures. Several years ago the dentist that was currently treating me told me that I would, inevitably lose all my teeth, probably within the next 5 – 10 years, and I would have to have my natural teeth replaced with dentures. This was ten years ago and that 10 years has been 10 years of pain and trips to the dentist for extractions, one by one, which comes at a cost. I have repeatedly asked to have all my teeth extracted and replaced with dentures so that I can get on with my life and pay for the surgery whilst I have the money to do so, but they want to do it slowly, extracting a tooth and adding anew one to the denture. In between extraction I suffer the anxiety of having the excruciating pain of having toothache and yet another extraction and then weeks of getting used to the new addition to my partial denture. I am unable to plan ahead. And for days prior to my next dental appointment, I experience extreme anxiety and panic attacks so that on the day when I am sitting in the dentist’s chair I am feeling sick and trembling uncontrollably. I have chronic periodontal disease which, at the point it was diagnosed, was already irreversible after not visiting the dentist, prior to the diagnosis, for twenty years due to dental phobia. On top of this dental neglect, I am also a smoker who suffers from depression and anxiety. I am currently receiving counselling for my mental health.

I know it’s better to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible, but I already know that they will all fail over the next few years, as the dentist told me all those years ago. Realistically, I know they are now beyond saving, and this is all my own fault, but I can’t go on like this. I’d really like to have all my teeth extracted and replaced with dentures. I am happy to pay for private treatment, but I can’t go on like this. I am depressed and have no quality of life. Has anyone else had a similar experience to this, or can anyone offer me any advice?

 

[smirked]

Good afternoon. I had issues with my teeth for many years. Our situations are different but share similarities in that you suffer from depression and anxiety alongside dental issues.

If your dentist isn't willing to take the teeth out and place dentures, perhaps you should try another dentist. At this point it sounds like they are fighting the inevitable.

It would be better to have all out and dentures placed. If the teeth are mobile they will not last very much longer. But that's ok. It will be better without them.

I have a journal of my denture journey on the forums here. It might be helpful for you to read.

 

[Marriet]

Thanks for your quick response to my query. I read your journal this morning and found it useful and encouraging.

 

[smirked]

You're welcome! I know my journal is a long read, but I tried to be as detailed and honest as possible.

I'm far happier now, with dentures, than I was prior. I had nothing but problems with my teeth for many years and after the decline had begun, there wasn't much that could be done to stop it.

After adjusting to the dentures I can eat things I had to cut from my diet completely (too sore on my bad teeth).

I hope you can get a second opinion with regards to your teeth. At the end of the day, it's your choice. And in my opinion, you are right to want to skip right to the full dentures.

One tooth out at a time is a good way to avoid excessive pain and the healing process of many teeth taken at once. But at what cost? How long with the process take? Too long.

 

[Sjj1960]

@Marriet I am in a similar situation but after my last extraction was so traumatised my dentist referred me to the hospital for a general anasthaetic for an additional 2 x extraction. I simply could not cope. Although it has taken about 18 months to work my way up the waiting list (Aug 23 to Feb 25) when I had my appointment in February I was quite surprised that I was offered the choice of having my remaining teeth removed at the hospital - so on the NHS and free. They were not that keen on offering a general but acknowledged how traumatised I was and would not be able to cope with sedation. They said given they were offering a general and the prognosis for the remaining teeth was not great they would offer to remove them all. I am currently at the point of waiting for a date. I am not in a positon of having a NHS dentist ( I didn't know there were any left) and the cost of dentures will be exorbitant. On the bright side the extractions will be free. I am terrified of having no teeth which is why I have joined this forum. But I am wondering if you could be assertive with your dentist and insist on a referral to the hospital? PS I was a smoker but was diagnosed with lung cancer and have had surgery/chemo and radiotherapy and have not smoked since the surgery. It was during a break from chemo I had the last tooth extracted at the dentist. Maybe it was due to recent events but I could simply not face the trauma of having things removed while I was awake! Anyway, just so you know there is precedent.