PAINFUL PARTIAL DENTURE DILEMMA

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

In 2012 I had an dental implant put in my lower left jaw.

At the beginning of May, 2020 I felt an odd sensation in that part of my mouth during dinner. I checked it out and the crown of the implant was loose.

I called my dentist immediately and went in the next day for him to examine. He removed the crown and determined that the titanium screw that secured the implant fractured and broke in 2. He then proceeded to try and remove the lower half of the screw that was in my jaw. For 1.5 hrs I thought I was going through the torture of hell with everything he did to try and remove that embedded screw. In the end, he was unsuccessful.

I left the office as I was quite shaken and decided right then and there I was not going to endure any more procedures to try and extract that broken screw.

The dentist mentioned that he has had several failures of titanium screws breaking during the first year of placement but mine was the FIRST ONE that failed after 8 years!

After I recovered (many issues arose with how much my whole body was stressed and disrupted during that 1.5 hr dental procedure), I called and spoke to the dentist about alternatives inasmuch as I need a "tooth" to avoid putting undue pressure on surrounding teeth, both of which have had root canals.

He suggested a partial denture. It cost $2,000. (At the time, the implant was $3K but much more now). He explained that the broken screw could stay in my mouth with no adverse health effects and the partial denture would fit on top of my gum line and be the best solution to this problem.

I agreed.

I went for 3 fittings before the partial was ready for placement. After it was finished it was placed in my mouth and I was not happy with the fit as it caused me pain.

I have had 3 additional "fittings" to try and alleviate the pain but it still persists, mostly in the area at the bottom of my mouth where there are structures like ligaments or tendons.

I ordered some "organic" type product from Amazon to try and cushion the contact between the partial and my mouth and will see how that works but if it doesn't. I'm not sure how to proceed.

Spending $2K (haven't been billed yet) on something I can't wear makes me very frustrated, especially since I know I have to have some support on that side of my mouth to eat and chew.

Any advice as to strategies of making a partial denture fit without pain would be greatly appreciated!!

roster · ‎10-09-2017

How awful for you. I'm not a fan of any dentistry work. I've had many hours in the chair and am terrified of needles. I would not have returned to this DDS for the partial denture. Get several opinions before proceeding.

If you have a dental school near you, go there and get opinions. They do great work. Students work under the DDS license, so most work is done by the DDS. Much less expensive as well. Good luck.

But of course, how silly of me, dental schools are NOT open during this horrible virus time.

D Kay · ‎04-20-2010

If you have a prosthodontist near you, try them. They specialize in such things.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@pdlinda Can not say I have dealt with your exact teeth issues...but I have a difficult mouth and have had a lot of work done.

You have been through a lot. At this point I think you dentist has failed in helping you.

You need to see a new dentist..maybe two or three...to get the right diagnosis and diagnostic done to get you feeling like you can chew again.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I second @SeaMaiden suggestion for a new dentist plus I'd see an attorney. Surely the company that made the implant bears some responsibility for the broken screw. I question whether your dentist knows what he's doing. Surely he could have deadened the area when trying to remove the screw. I can't believe he'd charge you full price for the bridge after the screwed-up screw.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

GenXmuse · ‎05-15-2016

I really wish I had some advice for you but I can empathize. I've spent $5,000 on one tooth and still have problems. It's a drain psychically and financially. I hope you can get things sorted soon. I ended up having to switch dentists.

roster · ‎10-09-2017

@Kachina624 wrote:
I second @SeaMaiden suggestion for a new dentist plus I'd see an attorney. Surely the company that made the implant bears some responsibility for the broken screw. I question whether your dentist knows what he's doing. Surely he could have deadened the area when trying to remove the screw. I can't believe he'd charge you full price for the bridge after the screwed-up screw.

Really? Have you worked with attorneys on similar issues? It's a living nightmare.

Move on and, get opinions and I'd try a specialist, if you haven't already.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I would see an oral surgeon and have the rest of the implanted screw removed, asap! No way would I leave that I'm my mouth, regardless of what the dentist says.

I am glad there are dental options to replace missing teeth, but will not do implants in my gums. I decided long ago to go the denture route if necessary.

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

I wore my partials (upper and lower rear) about two weeks. Very uncomfortable and dentist recommend procedure that cost more than partials.

I said no more and the teeth remained in a case on my bookcase for about 5 years. I eventually gave them back to him to do whatever with them.