Do you have Dentures?

[Cuz]

I'm waaay to young to be asking this question (29) but i have to make a decision soon. As I post this I am having to take off work today and probably tomorrow for a bad root canal infection that is so bad it's giving me a 101 temp and a horrible amount of swelling! I have always had poor teeth. For the past 15 years I've brushed 3 times a day and flossed regularly but my teeth continue to break down. They (couple different dentists) have all said it is genetic...
Anyway, my choices at this point are some sort of bridges or dentures. Dentures are the much cheaper option but I hate the idea of turning 30 and having dentures! I also hate the idea of having something moving around in my mouth...
Anyone have any advice or tips on this topic for me considering my age and situation. My uncle had to get dentures at 33 years old and he swears it's the best thing he ever did. He likes to say "I haven't had a tooth ache in 30 years". lol
If you have dentures, how long did it take to get use to and are you glad you did it?

[leasecommander]

Cuz,
I'm a dentist and most of my patients say that dentures are not like having teeth, yes they are pretty much problem free, but they aren't the same as teeth. If you are going that way (towards dentures), I would suggest you think about keeping some teeth and having partials made, that way you can get used to something removeable in your mouth, but it is still atatched to some teeth. Often times you can then transition to complete dentures more easily. Dental implants are fantastic, but very expensive, if money is no object that is what I would look into.
I know some good dentists in your area if you are interested, or you could send me your x-rays and I'd be glad to take a look. Have you ever thought about the dental school (Baylor) in Dallas?
Keep in touch,
Barry

[refugioco]

Is there an option where you have some implants put in and the dentures attach to them? That might be a compromise. Maybe someone on this board knows someone who has done this and can report.

[muzzlebrake]

I'm going thru some of that right now. It's painful to say the least. Dentures are a PITA.
At least my temporary is. Can't eat or swallow very well. I will be getting a bridge for the uppers and some Mini implants on the lower. Full implants are mucho dinero. Regular implants are about $2500 each tooth. Mini's are much cheaper, about 1/3 and can be done right then, walk in walk out. Do some more research and decide. I went for a combination of bridge and implant. Many people who get regular dentures end up not wearing them except to be buried in.

[Randy]

Cuz,
Have you ever thought about the dental school (Baylor) in Dallas?

When I was a poor college kid I had my wisdom teeth removed at the Baylor dental school in Dallas for like $15. The folks up there were great and I had zero problems.

My brother in law was in school there and told me about the program.

[Bow-hunt-er]

I have full upper & lower dentures. I got them when I was 22 & I'm now 39. If I had a chioce, I would have liked to keep my own teeth, but was attacked & beaten to within an inch of my life, but thats another story. Full dentures arent that bad, the worst part is getting something under them while eating (ouch).

[312InchMagnum]

i'm a dentist also, and i can tell you that you will have about 25% chewing efficiency with dentures versus your own teeth...pulling all of your teeth and getting dentures is not always a great solution...especially lower dentures...of course its hard to give an opinion without seeing everything...as young as you are, i would recommend saving what you can if possible, or investing the money in implants...implants have changed the dental world...there are many different options with implants, ie single tooth implants or implants that dentures can "snap" onto and minimize moving, dentures falling out, etc, not to mention how they preserve your bone...it may seem like a lot of money now...but, if you divide that money out over how many years you will get use out of the work, it will come out to pennies a day...im not a big fan of mini implants, especially how young you are...feel free to shoot me a pm and i will give you an unbiased opinion and discuss it further with you...good luck bud!

[quarterback]

Ohhh my...I'm going to brush and floss my teeth right now. Maybe two or three times.

[trad"Doc"53]

I don't know what I have. It's a piece of plastic with 3 fake teeth stuck to it. 2 of my teeth I broke out from constantly grinding from my daily pain level and my ex took care of the 3rd one. All I know is that it sucks trying to eat ANYTHING and this is with just 3 of them!! I can only try to imagine a whole mouth full of fakes!!

[Cuz]

I don't know what I have. It's a piece of plastic with 3 fake teeth stuck to it. 2 of my teeth I broke out from constantly grinding from my daily pain level and my ex took care of the 3rd one. All I know is that it sucks trying to eat ANYTHING and this is with just 3 of them!! I can only try to imagine a whole mouth full of fakes!!

I think thats a partial. Not sure though. Whatever it is my old man has exactly what you describe and he hates it!

[DrenalinJunkie]

a partial here.......due to a weak bastage whos buddy desided to sucker punch me with a 3/4 in. rebar to the top teeth.

Yeah they suck but better than walking around with nothing.

[Fishndude]

Ohhh my...I'm going to brush and floss my teeth right now. Maybe two or three times.

Me too!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!