Guys, I need your help here. about dentures, this is serious

[taabru45]

Some of you might know about a serious fall I had in 03. Along with breaking my back, I broke my upper jaw, and all my upper teeth were cracked or broken. Workers comp created a law change, then retroactively applied it, which stopped me from collecting from the insurance company who now said I had to go to wcb. they eventually denied my claim because i didn't apply within 12 months, mind you at that time I had the option of suing the company, which I did....
OK now, I have the option of having all my teeth pulled at the hospital, because of being in a disability situation, and they will cover the hospital expense. My lower teeth are intact but would need a lot of work, and I can't afford that....I'm pretty shaky right now because I just got a date of Sept3, for the extractions...or by tomorrow to let them know if there is a change of plans, I'm a bit scared, pissed off that no one stepped up to the plate, and left me out to dry....Ok. I'd like a smile, and to be able to eat more normally. right now I can't chew properly....I know the uppers have to go. The bottoms, I might be able to live with....has anyone out there got full dentures, and how are they, eating etc......I just need to be with friends, now, and get some straight answers....fast....Thanks guys, I've seen you rise to the occasion before, and I try to do that when called upon too...Steffan

 

[12stringer]

Sorry to hear of your teeth trouble. I have no experience with dentures so can't help you out there (wish I could offer some kind of knowledge). If your current upper teeth are in rough shape and they can't be fixed or they can be fixed and you can't afford it then what choice do you have? They definitely need to be fixed...I would get the upper dentures and make the best of it based on what I know about your situation. as for the lower teeth...would it be possible to just have the top teeth extracted for now and do the bottom ones later if need be? That way you could check out how good or badly you could chew. Maybe you could find a dentist who could slowly make changes to the bottom teeth so it might be affordable over time to gradually get them back into good useable shape. Anyone else have experience with dentures? please do chime in.
Best of luck tabruu...you are in my prayers tonight. :wink:

 

[taabru45]

Thanks 12 stringer....You know Richie Havens had no uppers when I first saw him waaay back, probably in the mid 60s. He said it gave him his unique sound...more like he had it with or without teeth. Your suggestion sounds rational to me, and I was thinking along the same lines, but being up close and personal doesn't help you think straight....Thanks...Steffan

 

[gilded]

Steffan,

I don't have dentures, but I read your post and I thought about a friend of mine who got Dentures after years of trouble with his teeth.

In fact, he had such dental pain associated with eating that he really just about stopped........ He had lost tons of weight and was actually too malnourished to get his teeth removed for awhile. We had to fatten him up with liquid diet drinks like Ensure, so he could gain enough weight to please the Doctor.

After it was all over, he was really glad that he got dentures. Whatever the disadvantages of dentures, it was certainly a better alternative than having horrible pain with his teeth, every day.

I don't know if this helps, but I wanted to tell you the little I do know. Heck, maybe in a few years, you'll be telling your pal
Harry what to do about D-E-N-T-U-R-E-S......

Good luck, friend,

gilded

 

[5thumbs]

Steffan,

I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It really does sound like you got a raw deal. I hope this helps.

I’ve had full dentures for about five years now. Well, almost full; I still have a few bottom teeth that help to hold the lower plate in place.

I’ve got a good smile, can eat corn-on-the-cob and just about anything else. 20-20 hindsight makes me wish I had taken better care of my teeth when younger (Army dentists traumatized me for years), but I’ve learned to live with dentures and they are not a problem.

Mind you, the first few days are miserable – it feels like someone parked a Volkswagen in your mouth. But time heals.

The downside – I can’t whistle when I play Gordon Lightfoot’s “Ghost of Cape Horn”. :roll:

So for what it’s worth, that’s my experience. Best of wishes, whichever way you go!

 

[taabru45]

Thanks Rick. I can't whistle now, well a little bit....I used to have a great whistle, you know the ear piercing one with the 2 fingers in your mouth, can't do that anymore....I'm leaning to, or chickening out, just pulling the topside. I want to maintain as much bone in my jaw as possible, and having teeth helps....thanks for your input...Steffan

 

[5thumbs]

Thanks Rick. I can't whistle now, well a little bit....I used to have a great whistle, you know the ear piercing one with the 2 fingers in your mouth, can't do that anymore....I'm leaning to, or chickening out, just pulling the topside. I want to maintain as much bone in my jaw as possible, and having teeth helps....thanks for your input...Steffan

If your bottom teeth are still usable all the better. It sounds like some of the consideration is financial. If you can accept the chance of possible additional work in the future, then definitely go that way.

Best wishes, whatever you decide!

 

[FNG]

I don't know if it is possible, but check out implants.

 

[Scratch]

Steffan,
Interesting timing, your post... I've been having right jaw pain for several months now resulting in part from the need to remove and replace a bridge in my lower right jaw. Long story short... They're pretty sure I have TMJ as one problem. A second is my lower right plate. I've been in and out of dental specialists all summer to locate and resolve severe heat/cold sensitivity. They finally identified a crack in the root of my remaining wisdom tooth. I had it extracted about a month ago. I'm now given options of replacing two lower right teeth with implants (about $4K); or getting a double bridge (about $3200.00) or a partial denture (about $2K). I must make up my mind when I have my next consult on 5 August. I'm leaning towards the partial denture, but, like you, don't know the long-range implications. I also think I need to get the TMJ corrected first.

Not nearly as complicated and frustrating as your ordeal, for sure, but I understand the concern. All I can offer is my best wishes for your decision and my best regards for your health to return. For what it is worth, I think, from the outside looking in, I'd get the upper dentures and go with lowers only when I knew I reached the point where is it necessary to do so...

 

[Graham]

I'm now given options of replacing two lower right teeth with implants (about $4K); or getting a double bridge (about $3200.00) or a partial denture (about $2K).

Can't Ross make you a bridge for less than that? :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: Sorry :lol: :lol:

 

[Scratch]

Dang! Never thought of that! :lol:

 

[killdeer43]

Hi neighbor,

Sounds like a tough situation, for sure. One thing I always try to do is to consider a worst case scenario (one of my favorite personal tools) to gain a bit of perspective on the overall scheme of things. Just keep in mind that you'll look back on this time and smile, with or without the ivory. For starters, you'll still be able to caress your Guild(s) even if you're toothless. :wink:
Both my parents wore dentures since as far back as I can remember and their lives were rich and full, as I know yours will be, whichever path you choose.
Modern dentistry has progressed to the point where I'll bet you'll come away with a great smile and an appetite for food that you never thought you'd be able to eat again. Good things happen to good people, so get ready.
Wish I could say the perfect thing to help you through this but just know that I'm sending good vibrations your way and wishing you the very best in the coming journey. We're all here for you.

Your southern neighbor,
Joe

 

[Ross]

Hi Steffan:

We're all sorry to hear of your plight. It sounds like removal of the uppers will help in the long run by reducing pain and allowing you to eat more normally.

I can't offer any personal advice, other than to recall that my father has had full dentures from about age 50.

Please remember that we're all "pulling" for you. :wink: (sorry, I've never been able to resist a bad pun)

 

[bighouse]

Steffan

I've no direct experience with dentures myself, but just want to offer my best wishes for you. I hope you choose the most effective treatment and have a speedy recovery.

Keep on pickin' (and grinnin' when you can)

Bill

 

[dogberry]

Steffan,
I have no experience with dentures, so all I can offer is that I'm thinking about you and hoping that whatever you choose, it goes well and the situation improves. Best of luck to you.

Noel

 

[taabru45]

Thanks for your positive thoughts and prayers....This really sucks, there is tmj, and even a still broken jaw, never repaired, that showed up in an x-ray I had not too long ago. I think I'll take the mouth mold I had way back in 03 to a denturist, and see if they would be able to make the upper so that the upper teeth would drop down in front of the lowers the way they are supposed to, of if he has to move the uppers forward, and the lowers back, so that they can come together. The upper jaw (part of the skull) was actually broken and moved back to the point where the uppers are slightly behind the bottoms, like an under bite I guess. So off i go to try to get some answers. You know...you think you have control in your life and then some damn thing comes along to show you.......not....l'm grateful for the friends and support I have here, and bless you for that. If I do manage Arlington and have this whole thing resolved by then, I'll be the one pickin' and grinnin'.......fer sure.....lots of love to you guys, and gals.....and thanks again. Steffan

 

[JerryR]

Well good luck Steffan and I really do hope you can make Arlington - just 2 1/2 months to go I have had my share of fillings, capped teeth, bridgework, extractions and last year root canal treatment and I have no great love of going to the dentist. One thing I have managed to avoid so far is dentures, and implants are horrendously expensive :!:

 

[cjd-player]

If I do manage Arlington and have this whole thing resolved by then, I'll be the one pickin' and grinnin'.......fer sure

Wishing you the best, Steffan.

If you do get this resolved before Arlington, but can't make it, just send your dentures to smile at us. :mrgreen:

 

[JerryR]

.

If you do get this resolved before Arlington, but can't make it, just send your dentures to smile at us. :mrgreen:

 

[killdeer43]

You know...you think you have control in your life and then some damn thing comes along to show you.......not... Steffan

Steffan,
They're just speed bumps. They slow you down but before long, you'll get back to cruising speed.

Take care of yourself,
Joe