Having all my teeth extracted and getting ready for Dentures.

[Charbs]

Hello everyone! I’m new to this page and wanted to say hi but also looking for some support and I guess reassurance because on this upcoming Friday March 14th 2025, I am getting all of my teeth removed so I can start my journey to getting dentures. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t absolutely terrified of the whole process. I am going to be put to sleep to have the extractions but this fear of actually getting my teeth removed is so severe I feel sick and feel like cancelling.
So I guess I should say why I’m having this done in the first palace. Here’s a little back story.
I’ve always struggled with dental issues due to a very real fear of the dentist. At 7 years old I had to have a tooth removed and the dentist yelled at me and told me to shut up as he was pulling my tooth (without any freezing) because I was crying and proceeded to rip my Barbie doll out of my hands. This is when my fear of the dentist began. Fast forward to now. I am now 39 years old and my teeth have just been falling apart my entire life, I have a condition called Elners Danlos syndrome and I don’t know why but it makes my teeth just fall apart no matter what I do or how well I take care of them. After a lot of years of crying at the dentist having extreme anxiety going through extremely painful abscesses and infections, broken teeth, filling falling out, root canals and molars being pulled and not attending appointments due to my fears, I have finally decided to go ahead and just remove the rest of my teeth and get dentures. This was an extremely difficult decision to make and the dentist I seen helped to push me to make the decision (for my own good and health) A piece of me feels like I’m going to regret this decision because once it’s done, it’s done, I can’t put them back if I change my mind and don’t like it. I’m so worried about them looking fake and really regretting this. Can someone, anyone, please help me understand these emotions and fears. Any advice or support about dentures would be extremely helpful and I would really appreciate it. I’m so scared I can’t even explain how terrified I am, I can’t even sleep! Any support or advice would be amazing. Thank you so much in advance

 

[smirked]

Hello, good afternoon and welcome to the forum! I have a journal here which you may find helpful to read. I have tried to be as detailed and honest as possible with my experiences during my denture journey.

I am delighted to report that I'm much happier with dentures than I was before.

But I must advise you, don't be under any illusion going forward - it will be difficult.

Read my journal. And you can ask me any questions you might have.

 

[Spunkysistas]

@Charbs Hello, Did you look into implants? If you get 4 up top and 4 on lower it would help your gums from receding in the future. And the dentures will be fixed so you wouldn't have to take them out at night. I had dentures when I was in my late 20's and didn't get implants until about 25 years later. I love them so much I just wish I would have got them sooner!

 

[Charbs]

@smirked thank you for this, I’m actually freaking out a lot and I don’t know if I’m making the right decision or not but unfortunately I don’t have really any other options

 

[Charbs]

@Spunkysistas I really really would LOVE this option because believe me I have definitely looked into this and even got a quote and it came in at $17,800.00 and that’s just something that I absolutely cannot afford. It’s such a bummer but dentures are my only option right now

 

[smirked]

@Charbs my teeth were in an awful state. Having them pulled and dentures placed was not an easy decision to make. But I'm glad I went for it. Because the dentures are far better than my teeth were.

I can eat properly again.

The thing about implants is, in my personal opinion... They can go wrong too. Like teeth. I'm not keen to introduce something to my jaw that may be problematic later. I just cleared my jaw of problem teeth.

 

[Spunkysistas]

@Charbs I know, the cost is so crazy expensive! That is why i had to wait 20 years to get implants because i couldn't afford it However, just so you know, my life changed for the better when I got my dentures! They looked so good, even better then my own teeth and it changed my whole appearance! I was so much more confident and absolutely loved to smile again. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Ladydi1724]

Charbs how did everything go today?

 

[Ncbeechbum]

I just read your post Charbs. Hoping you are doing well after your appointment today!! Please let us know.

 

[Ranyart Finn]

Hi, just like the OP, I've plucked up the courage to start the process towards full extractions and complete dentures. I'm opting for Temp dentures so that I'm not missing teeth for a prolonged period, and have steeled myself for the fact that it will be a bumpy road.

Despite being terrified of the dentist, the practice I have here in Canada has been marvellous. No judgement, no snark, and they've gone out of their way to put me at ease. I'm feeling reasonably positive (if apprehensive) about the impressions session coming up, and then the dentures themselves. I want to be able to smile and eat properly again, and while I know it will take time, this is a fear I have face.

Any tips or support anyone wants to offer, gratefully appreciated!