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I am so embarrassed! Are dentures my only option for missing teeth?

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My teeth are so bad that I fear I’ll need to get dentures. The worst part is that I’m not even 30 years old. I thought dentures were for grandparents.

My parents never took me to the dentist when I was growing up, unless there was a problem. As I got older and lived on my own, I started taking better care of my teeth and going to the dentist.

Unfortunately, the damage was done. My teeth are a mess. To make matters worse, I suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum with each one of my three pregnancies. I was literally sick for the entire time I was pregnant! This obviously didn’t help my teeth with all the vomiting.

I have been to a lot of different dentists to see what can be done and we have tried to salvage the teeth I have left. The amount of work required is so overwhelming though. So, I’ve sadly gotten to the point that I only go in when I am in pain. I am seriously considering having them all pulled and getting dentures.

When I went back in last week, the dentist made me feel like a failure. He lectured me on how I deserve what I’m dealing with now because I didn’t take care of my teeth growing up. I want to give up!

Am I doomed to dentures?

-Angie in Texas

Angie,

You are in a really tough spot and my heart goes out to you. Some dentists are really lacking in their chair-side manor. It sounds like you are trying to make your situation better and have had a really hard time with your oral health over the years. But, you should never be made to feel like you deserve it or that you’re a failure.

The next step for you is to find a dentist you can trust. If you have any teeth left that are salvageable, dentures should be an absolute last resort. At your age, you will be left with an entire lifetime of problems. This is because when your natural teeth are removed, your bone is resorbed to be used elsewhere in the body since it is not needed any longer to support the teeth. Facial collapse is the result of bone loss and if you get a denture at this age, you would be dealing with facial collapse in your forties. The denture will not fit well and your face will appear sunken in and you will look older than you are. Over the years, it will be extremely uncomfortable to keep a denture in.

This isn’t being said to scare you. It is the reality you will be faced with if you decide to get dentures.

The best thing you need to do is find a dentist that empathizes with your situation and understands you want to make it better. It may take some effort, but when you find a dentist you can trust, you will be able to evaluate your options. If you have teeth that are able to be saved, focus on them first. Even a partial denture or bridge will serve you better than giving up and pulling the teeth. Or the best case scenario for a tooth that is not salvageable is to get a dental implant because they stimulate the bone. This means that bone loss would be avoided where the implant was placed.

diagram of a dental bridge
This is an example of a dental bridge that can be done to replace a missing teeth, with crowns on each side.

In extreme situations like yours, a phased treatment plan may work best. This will help identify and treat the urgent needs first and work through them steadily as time and your budget allow. Also, you may be able to work out some payment plans or financing options that can help you get more done at one time. You do have options!

Don’t give up! Set an example now of good oral health for your children, that you weren’t given growing up. Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by a dentist in York, PA, Donald H. Currie, DMD.

Is it too Late for me to Get Dental Implants?

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When I first got dentures, dental implants weren’t really available. I think it was about 25 years or so ago now. I guess they were ok at first, but the more I look at myself, the less I like my smile. My teeth don’t look real and my face kind of scrunches up around them. Plus, they don’t fit well anymore, and I just had them replaced a few years back. It’s frustrating. Everything I find online about dental implants seems to be geared towards younger people replacing one or two teeth. At my age (and let’s just say I’m old enough to be a grandma), is it too late for me to get dental implants?

Sincerely,

Becky in New York

Dear Becky,

What you’re describing is really common. Dentures can be made to look beautiful, but you’ll need an experienced dentist who works with a high-quality lab to make them for you. A doctor who does a lot of cosmetic work will be able to make sure that they have the right shape and color so that they look natural, but this only addresses part of your problem.

After you’ve lost your teeth, the bone starts to fade away as well. This causes what’s called “facial collapse” in the industry, and it references what you said about your face scrunching up around your mouth. The bone loss also makes it really hard to get a good-fitting denture, so you’re probably fighting with yours all the time or possibly getting sore spots. It also means you wouldn’t be a candidate for dental implants, because there isn’t enough bone for them to anchor into.

The fix to this is to have bone grafting done, to build the bone back up again. These days, it’s generally a simple procedure completed in a single visit, but it takes a few months to heal before you can have anything else done.

Following that, you will be a candidate for dental implants, but you’re probably looking at four or six of them to hold a denture in, rather than having them placed where every tooth was. This procedure can produce beautiful results. And, if you work with a dentist who also does a lot of cosmetic dentistry, it will look so natural that nobody will be able to tell that they’re dentures. Plus, they’ll feel a whole lot better and your face won’t have the “scrunched” look it does now. It can seriously make you look a decade or more younger, just by correcting the bone and following through with the implant-supported dentures.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD

My brother needs dentures now after a motorcycle accident. What is the most affordable?

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My brother suffered a terrible motorcycle accident. Not only did he end up with a traumatic brain injury, he had several teeth that were damaged. I have been stepping in on his behalf to make sure he receives the care he needs and deserves. But as far as his teeth go, they weren’t in the best shape to begin with. Now, with the recently broken ones, he probably needs dentures. Unfortunately, his health insurance will not cover the dental care, even for the damaged teeth from the accident. It will cover extractions but doesn’t sound like there will be much assistance in replacing them. He needs to eat. What are our options? He is getting disability but it isn’t enough. I’m doing what I can. What is the most affordable option for dentures?

-Mike in Wisconsin

Mike,

You are a good man to help your brother out, under such difficult circumstances. It would be nice if more families would step up to the plate when things like this happen.

It is understandable that you are on the hunt for affordable denture options. But there aren’t really any specific brands or denture treatments that will save you on the fees. That said, it is always a good idea to call around and compare cost estimates.

The most important thing in your situation is to find a dentist that understands the unique needs of your brother. Someone that suffered a traumatic brain injury likely has some cognitive limitations. The best dentist for him will be experienced in treating  patients with special needs and will have a high level of patience. He or she should be welcoming and caring. That should be your main focus.

As for finding some supplemental funding to offset the dental costs. You may be able to find a separate dental insurance policy that will help you cover the fees associated with the dentures. They won’t cover dental implants or anything along those lines, but a small monthly premium of approximately $30 may help with the financial burden. Although, you need to look into any waiting periods that these plans will have in place. Those time frames vary and may be anywhere from six months to a year. Also, read the fine print and be on the lookout for a “missing tooth” clause. There is always the chance a policy wouldn’t cover the dentures at all. So, proceed cautiously if you go this route.

Or you may also be interested in affordable payment plans, like Care Credit. You usually have up to a year with no interest for larger dollar dental treatments. It just takes a couple minutes to see if you qualify for financing. Most dentists accept Care Credit.

So put your top priority on finding the best dentist for your brother’s needs. Then, you can begin the process of finding the best insurance or financing options.

Wishing you all the best.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD

Mouth keeps cracking

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I have been wearing dentures for eight years now and the corners of my mouth keep cracking. I’m 76 years old and it can cause me great pain. Do you know how I can prevent this from happening?

– Dolores in Ohio

Dolores,

Angular Chelitis is a condition where lesions can form on the lips and cracking may occur. In some cases it will correct itself over time. But if the condition worsens or becomes severe, it can reoccur and cause a lot of pain and noticeable bleeding. The most important way to address it is to figure out the cause. The problem may go back to the time before you had your dentures. The timing of when you started missing teeth and when the teeth were extracted to prepare for the dentures, may also be a contributing factor. For example, if an individual has teeth extracted toward the front of the mouth, over-closing can occur. In this particular instance, there is no support from the teeth that were pulled which can lead to Cheilosis. Dentures can also cause increased irritation and hinder this condition. If there isn’t a good fit for your dentures, it may cause cracking in the mouth corners. It would be wise to schedule an appointment with your dentist to have your denture evaluated. This will help determine if the denture is one of the issues that is causing you difficulty. If it turns out that the denture is causing you complications with this condition, you may need to have a new denture made or have it relined.

Other causes of Angular Chelitis include deficiencies in iron, riboflavin, or zinc; Anorexia or other eating disorder like Bulimia; continuous biting; certain medications that dry skin; a protein deficiency; or a bacterial or fungal infection can also contribute.

To treat this condition, a topical antibiotic or anti-fungal cream may be beneficial. This is for individuals that have minor Chelitis caused by bacteria. But first meet with your dentist to see if the denture is causing problems. If that is not the case, you may need to visit a general physician to determine the cause.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Total Dental Health of York.

Related link: dental implant vs bridge

No front teeth

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I am having to have my front teeth and a few back teeth pulled because of extensive decay. I have avoided dental care for some time and now I am paying the price. I’ve looked into dental implants, but the cost is pretty high. I was thinking about dentures, but wondered if they would look natural, or if I would look like someone with fake teeth.

Andrew- Washington

Andrew,

How natural your dentures look will depend on what cosmetic dentist you choose. That actually goes for almost any cosmetic procedure. The results depend on how artistic and “picky” the dentist is. With an excellent cosmetic dentist you can get dentures that are absolutely stunning and cannot be told apart from attractive natural teeth.

You are right that Dental Implants are more expensive. For some people they are just plain out of reach. They have some real benefits though, and if you can afford them, they are the treatment I’d recommend. First, dentures move around. No matter how tightly your dentist tries to get them to fit, there will be moments when food gets under them. There will even be days when the slip out of your mouth at embarrassing times. Implants avoid all of that because they are implanted directly into your jawbone. This also is the reason they prevent facial collapse.

If they are too far out of your budget, you might consider mini implants. They can at least stabilize your dentures.

This blog is brought to you by York Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Donald Currie.

Serious dental problems—is full extraction the answer?

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I am a recovering drug addict. I’ve been straight for a little over a year, and my health is slowly improving. The one thing that is not going to get any better, though, is my teeth. They are really trashed.

The dentist at the clinic I go to wants to pull all of my teeth and fit me with dentures. He set up an appointment for me to get this done next week, and says he can do it all in one visit. That doesn’t seem like a very good plan to me, but I am not really comfortable arguing with this guy. He says what he is going to do and doesn’t really give you any choices.

I know something significant has to be done. My molars are such a God-awful mess that I have been chewing with my front teeth, and they are pretty wobbly and sore. This just seems like such a drastic option. I am only 23 years old.

Any advice you can offer would be great. I can’t afford to go to another dentist for a second opinion.

Ray in Kentucky

Dear Ray,

You are to be commended for staying off drugs–addiction is a difficult and painful malady.

The treatment plan recommended by your dentist is not one that we would support in our office. It is a quick and easy fix for your dentist and many years of struggle and difficulty for you. You are far too young to have all your teeth pulled.

If you have all your teeth extracted, you will eventually suffer from a condition called “facial collapse”. This is when the bones of the jaws deteriorate and thin, which happens at the site of a lost tooth or teeth. If ALL of your teeth are gone, this process accelerates, and by the time you are in your 40s you will be unable to wear any kind of denture.

Though we obviously do not know the details of your case, it seems unlikely that none of your teeth can be salvaged. If even a few are healthy enough to remain, they could be used to anchor dentures and will help maintain the bones of your jaws. Root canal treatments may help salvage some teeth, and down the road dental implants may be a possibility. Some kind of dentures may be necessary, but if enough of your teeth can be salvaged dental bridges may be possibilities.

If another clinical dentist is available, seek a second opinion.

This post is a courtesy of the dental office of Dr. Currie, York PA dentist.