Wellness

[smb3]

I had a bridge on my one upper side for about 20 years.  A few weeks ago it broke off, meaning the front tooth that was supporting it broke off under it.  The dentist recommended a partial denture because the front support tooth broke and there is not enough bone in the back anymore to get implants.  Dentist says can get a partial and whenever becomes affordable, can get two implants then partial from there back.   When I had the bridge, I had a nice smile, now I am very self-conscious.   I have no experience with this,  so was wondering if anyone can give advice.  It would be the newer and supposedly better type of partial (not the metal type).  Thanks for any info. or advice.

[firewife]

Hello. Oh yes i have and did not like them at all. top and bottoms. Between

 the gag factor with them and i lost weight because i never could get used

to them. So back and forth with adjustments for a better fit. To build up bone

on my upper jaw, i had a bone grafting done and now in the process of doing

 the implants. If you can go that route, i suggest you do. Ask away if you have

any other questions. I have learned the really hard way with $$ for partials

and now doing the implants. live and learn as they say.. Good luck. 

[smb3]

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@firewife wrote:

Hello. Oh yes i have and did not like them at all. top and bottoms. Between

 the gag factor with them and i lost weight because i never could get used

to them. So back and forth with adjustments for a better fit. To build up bone

on my upper jaw, i had a bone grafting done and now in the process of doing

 the implants. If you can go that route, i suggest you do. Ask away if you have

any other questions. I have learned the really hard way with $$ for partials

and now doing the implants. live and learn as they say.. Good luck. 

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Thank you for the info.!  I am not in a financial position right now for implants (long story).  I am going to a new dentist due to health insurance change, but did go get 2nd opinion from oral surgeon that i have gone to in the past and that I trust.  He said that everything the dentist told me is correct and couldn't believe the price on the newer partial that I got. He is the one who said that I can always get the implants in the future, he said cost is a factor now for me.   

[Bird mama]

Hello @smb3  I'm sorry that your bridge broke.  I am missing three teeth, upper jaw, left side, all in the back.  I probably have the jawbone for it, but refuse dental implants.  I have dental insurance that offset the cost of this and I approached my dentist with the idea of a flexible partial.  I even looked online and found local dental labs that made them since her dental lab was more of a traditional dental lab.

I went with Valplast brand (I think).

They can match your gum color pretty well - they don't all look Barbie pink like this picture.

I was amazed what the lab could do.  I had no back molar to anchor this thing to.  When I feel like having my 3 extra teeth, I pop in the partial denture and just go.  Mine fits like a retainer but I don't have any kind of speech impediment.  Now in my case, I don't care to eat with it in.

[smb3]

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@Bird mama wrote:

Hello @smb3  I'm sorry that your bridge broke.  I am missing three teeth, upper jaw, left side, all in the back.  I probably have the jawbone for it, but refuse dental implants.  I have dental insurance that offset the cost of this and I approached my dentist with the idea of a flexible partial.  I even looked online and found local dental labs that made them since her dental lab was more of a traditional dental lab.

I went with Valplast brand (I think).

They can match your gum color pretty well - they don't all look Barbie pink like this picture.

I was amazed what the lab could do.  I had no back molar to anchor this thing to.  When I feel like having my 3 extra teeth, I pop in the partial denture and just go.  Mine fits like a retainer but I don't have any kind of speech impediment.  Now in my case, I don't care to eat with it in.

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I am pretty sure this is the type they are talking about.  The dentist says it looks natural.  I am SO nervous, as I don't like going to dentist to begin with lol.  I always  had nice looking teeth, but no matter how well I took care of, still had issues.  I know my father had a lot of dental issues, I don't know about my mother as she passed when I was very young.  Anyway, can I ask why you don't eat with it in? Thanks so much for your reply and info.! 

[ciao_bella]

Another option you might want to explore would be a dental school clinic in your state.   They do the implants at a fraction of the  traditional cost.  Dental students, under strict supervision of certified dentists, perform the implants.  The cost might be comparable to the partial.   I think it's worth looking into. 

[BLH]

I had to have a tooth pulled because it cracked.  I will not go without a tooth and I'm not into pain with bridges and implants so I got a partial and I like it.  It cost $1500 but my insurance paid for it.  I only wear it when I go out.  I do not wear it at home and nobody even notices I'm missing a tooth because it's in the back, but like I said I'm not going without a tooth.  I take my partial out as soon as I get home.  It's like taking off your shoes.  More comfy without it.

[Bird mama]

@smb3

I have been religious about my teeth since I was a kid.  Never had cavaties.  Decided to go for adult orthodontics in my early 20's (at the time the insurance company didn't pay for adult orthodontics).  I had an orthodontist who didn't rush my teeth - I believe I was in braces nearly 3 years. 

Then came root canals, teeth breaking off from the weakening of the root canals (I'm in my mid 50's).  Seriously if I had known about veneers at the age of 20, I would have bypassed orthodontics and went straight to veneers.

I have to be honest.  My missing teeth have been gone nearly a decade.  I only asked for the partial because you don't know anything missing unless I really laugh hard.  So for me, it's cosmetic.  None of my teeth shifted from the missing teeth and yes I can even eat on that side of my mouth.

They wanted to implant an anchor tooth and then install a fixed partial that had two pontics (fake teeth).  My mouth would then have implant, two fake teeth then real tooth (actually a crown).

I never ate with my retainer in my mouth.  I wore a retainer for nearly a decade - I used to buy them at cost from the orthodontist :-)

Because this partial is filling in for 3 back teeth, two of which are molars, it feels weird for me to chew on that side.  I'd rather eat without it - I'm more used to that.

[smb3]

Yes, my oral surgeon's receptionist was telling me about the dental schools, although most are in Philadelphia, which is about an 1.5 hrs from me, so right now wouldn't be an option.  Thanks for letting me know that!