Seriously freaking out

[KoCannabis]

Hello everyone. I am so glad to have found this forum!
On July 21st, I am having 14 teeth removed (I only have 18 teeth total..others removed over the course of 10 years) end result is whole denture on top with 2 bridges on bottom.
The oral surgeon has said that he is cutting open the whole roof of my mouth to remove my top teeth. And I also think he will be shaping my bone for dentures.
Nothing has been said about immediate dentures. So i dont think ill be getting those.
Main fears are because ive been doing my own research on the web, I have thick lips, will my lips cave in?? I also normally have an overbite, so will leaving my 4 bottom front teeth in, jam up into my upper gums during the healing process??
Has anyone else had a procedure like this?
I seriously appreciate any feedback.
Thank you.
-Kelly

 

[Sevena]

Wow, that's a lot to deal with!

If you have had no impressions taken, that means the dentist isn't planning to make immediates. You can always ask, however, and you always should! You have the right to know what your life is going to be like after extractions.

Now, I had full extractions (all my teeth) and though I had immediates, they were a truly terrible fit and I had to go without for a few months (that doesn't happen to 99% of people who get immediates, in case anyone else reading this panics! I just got super unlucky). So I can tell you something about going without teeth.

I have an overbite too (plus full lips) and I think that's a little more forgiving in terms of how your face rests without teeth. You will probably look a bit different. But it takes some time for the bones to recede to the point where you look "caved in". For me, for the first few months I looked normal. No one could tell I was without teeth unless I opened my mouth. Now, a couple of years later, my mouth looks a little lax without my dentures, but I still don't look caved in! So you'll be okay.

You'll feel strange at first, because you won't have any molars to rest together. For the first couple of nights I felt just a little bit odd. Like something was missing! But your gums don't close together. Your mouth will find a way to rest that feels natural, and it usually rests in a way that allows for the missing teeth you don't have any more. So you won't be poking yourself constantly with your remaining teeth.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, let me know!

 

[KoCannabis]

Thank you so much! You have definetly calm my fears a little!!
Now I'm in the emotional process of it all.
I broke down in tears today. I know my teeth are bad. Years of neglect for being afraid and bad genes have ruined my mouth. But still, they are mine. I'm 38 years old. I was so dumb.
Thank you again for taking the time to calm some of my fears. I really appreciate it

-Kelly

 

[Sevena]

I've been there. I had my full extractions when I was 25. It can be really disheartening. And my teeth looked terrible and were a source of misery and pain for me, but I occasionally do miss them a tiny bit!

But you will adjust and come to terms with it. It just takes a little time. I rarely even think about my teeth any more, except to be glad I can smile and don't have to worry about it looking bad. And there's a lot to be said for not having to fear the dentist's drill any more! Hang in there