Dentures at 22?

Question

This is really embarrassing, but my dentist says I need dentures at 22. Although I have good hygiene, I also have a progressive gum disease that ruins my teeth fast, and it runs in the women in my family. My teeth look alright on the outside, but they're getting hollow on the inside very quickly. My dentist said I could pay thousands for veneers, fillings, bondings, but I'll still have a lot of pain for the rest of my life. I already drink things lukewarm and can't really eat candy, and it's gotten really boring over the past several years. My fiance has no problem with it and reassures me it won't change his opinion of my looks, but I still feel very self-conscious about it. Anybody else been through this at a young age?

Answer 1

I'm 26 and have full dentures. I basically had the same problem as you, teeth rotting from the inside out. They aren't bad as long as you have someone who knows what they are doing make them. Talk to some people who have used your dentist for dentures, most dentists don't do that many dentures so they sometimes do a crappy job and then suggest implants for their crappy job. Some peoples mouths also just can't seem to cope with dentures, so its not always the dentist fault. I started off being self conscious about it, but no one was able to tell that I had it done, I get compliments from girls on how pretty my smile is, so at least they aren't obvious. The only thing I recommend is getting a couple (2 or more) implants on the bottom when you can afford them, the lower denture sometimes has a mind of its own and doesn't want to stay in place. Its not like its falling out of my mouth when I talk or anything, just eating it pops up on me and sometimes I get food under it and then bite down....OUCH. Another note, I haven't used any adhesive to hold them in, my dentist did a great job at making them so I didn't need any. Don't be ashamed, there are alot more people out there with dentures than you know, they just look a lot better these days and aren't as obvious. Just think, you'll never have a cavity again, no tooth aches, root canals, etc. You can eat ice cream without having sensitive teeth, plus you smile is perfect, you should get to choose the color of your new smile, how you want the teeth placed and all that. If you have a good picture of your smile before you have all of this done, and thats how you want you smile to keep looking, take it to the dentist before he makes them or has the lab make them and tell them thats what you want your smile to look like, they can come pretty close. Good luck.

Answer 2

At age 46 I was told not to get dentures. I was told that losing the roots to the teeth will cause my bones to deteriorate and I would end up with more problems down the road. So I got implants. Implants though costly are an investment in my future. The implants themselves keep the bone good and strong. The teeth that are screwed onto my implants are more beautiful than my natural teeth ever were and my smile is so very beautiful.

So if they tell me at 46 not to go the route of dentures I would think the same would apply to you. I would go to a univeristy that specializes in dental issues or something. There has to be help for you out there on the internet do some surfing and see what you can find out. Try your best to make dentures your last resort.

Often (I am member's of a denture site) it is totally a normal problem for people's lower denture not to stay in place. The muscles in the face fight the lower plate so most end up having to glue them in or go without them. Now that would be a tragedy for you.

Answer 3

I know 2 people that had dentures at 21. So they were younger than you by a bit.
I need dentures too (but I am twice your age plus a few more years), but have been stalling because I have tried some partials and just cannot talk right with them in my mouth. The worst part is, that is ALL I do all day is talk (in sales).
If you do not feel that a second opinion is needed, then do what you know you have to. No one will know the difference but you (once your learn to talk with them).

The people that I know that have gotten dentures (and at my age that is a lot of people) they were so happy after they got them. No more pain, no more ugly teeth, no more $$$ shelled out to dentists to fix teeth that were not worth fixing.

Sorry to hear that you have had to go through this at such a terribly young age.

Answer 4

No teeth is a lot better than a lot of bad teeth. I got dentures at 15 because my teeth were falling apart so fast the dentist couldn't keep up. They were dark and hollow inside and kept breaking, kinda like yours I guess. Anyways, I had them all taken out and got dentures, and I never been sorry I decided to go that route. It runs in my family too. It was kinda strange at first bein in high school with teeth that can come out, but it wasn't really bad like I thought it might be. If your teeth are that bad, go for the dentures, you won't be sorry.

Answer 5

I am 29 and the same thing runs in my family. I am hanging in there and have been getting them pulled out as they break off. I know how you feel. I was told I needed them at age 25 but I was also told by people that have dentures that I didn't want dentures either so its sort of a catch 22. It really stinks because people that don't know think its because you don't take care of yourself. I wish you the best and just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Answer 6

Dentures take alot of getting used to. If you have some money to invest in yourself then ask about dental implants; if your teeth have to come out the implants will help stablize bone levels and either support crowns and bridgework or they can hold your dentures in place very securely. I would also suggest a second opinion, a periodontist or another dentist. Taking out all of your teeth is drastic at 22...there's no going back.

Answer 7

I was about 24 when I got my dentures and although it's not the best situation they are not so bad, no more toothaches is really nice! They do take some getting used to at first and you might need fixodent for a while but after you get used to them you get your natural suction that holds them in and they become like a part of you. The only thing I hate is fearing someone will catch me without them in! If you do get them get your teeth all out at the same time and get it over with all at once, don't get them pulled out a few at a time!

Answer 8

HELLO,
SOMETIMES SOMEONES QUALITY OF LIFE MIGHT BE IMPROVED BY HAVING DENTURES IF ALL THE OTHER JUNK AND WORRIES AS A CONSEQUENCE OF BAD TEETH IS RESOLVED. IF AT 22 DENTURES ARE NEEDED FOR A BETTER LIFE, THEN FOLLOW YOUR DENTIST'S ADVISE AND JUST DO IT.

Answer 9

Sorry to hear this. Have you considered getting dental implants instead?

They aren't nearly as expensive as they used to be and some insurance plans cover a portion of the cost. You could consider replacing one tooth at a time.

Whatever the outcome, you have to do what's best for your health. Dental pain is awful.

Good luck!

Answer 10

sorry for ur problem.
2 things i could recomd
1. get second opinon from a periodontist
gum and bone especialist

2.if thay canot do anything consider couple of implants .thy are $ but u'll be very happy.if u get about 4-5 implant on each arch u'll be very happy talk to ur doc about it after seeing a gum especialist