Going to the dentist and need advice on what to do.?

Question

I have only been to the dentist 3 times in my entire life and my teeth are in poor shape because of it, I do take care of my teeth now but I might not have when I was a child :(. I have several teeth that are broken down almost to the gum. Well I finally have the money to pay to have them fixed. My mother is telling me that I should just get all my teeth pulled and get dentures, saying it would be cheaper and better. She claims that the dentist is going to attempt to talk me into root canals and crowns, things like that I guess so he can get as much out of me and my insurance as possible. I know a lot of people who have suffered a great deal of pain because of root canals but I don't want to have dentures if I don't have to either. Which is the better choice, doing everything possible to keep my natural teeth or getting them pulled and getting dentures? How do I know the dentist is telling me what's best and not what makes him more money?

BTW the insurance is covering part but a big portion is still coming out of my pocket so I am somewhat concerned about cost.

Answer 1

I've come across tons of people who sound just like your mother in my working lifetime. I'm a dental technician and own my own lab where the fabrication of high quality dentures is the principal area of concentration.

SHE'S WRONG ... don't have all of your teeth pulled to save some money. There are no teeth like your own, no matter how well the dentist and lab have done their jobs when you have dentures made.

The main criteria for helping you decide which way to go is to determine if your dentist sounds like he's telling you the truth and whether or not you're comefortable sitting in his chair. If you feel like you don't trust what he's saying, get out of his chair and go somewhere else! Do you know anyone else who goes there or have you ever been there yourself?

While it's expensive, endo work (root canal) and crown & bridge restorations are the next best thing to natural teeth and will keep you healthy longer. It's a fact that people with dentures, even great dentures, change what they eat to help accomodate the inefficiency of their false teeth. They naturally go to the softer foods which are easier to eat, but less nutritious and less beneficial to your general health down the road. Softer foods lack the fiber your digestive system needs to work properly, soft foods are low in natural proteins and minerals and high in carbohydrates (fat food), the list goes on and on. People with full upper and lower dentures live, on average, 5 to 7 years less that a person with natural teeth or fixed bridgework over prepared natural teeth because of their soft food diets.

If you're not entirely sure about this dentist, it's worth the money to have an evaluation and a treatment plan worked up by another. Compare the two plans and decide on what seems the best to you.

You mention that you have dental insurance. Dental insurance is one of the least effective insurances out there. Employers provide it, but it's like throwing the employee a bone ... sounds good, looks good, but doesn't really cover very much. The best way to use a dental insurance plan is to be sure you use a dentist who accepts the exact type of insurance that you have. Otherwise, you're going to have some large bills that you thought should have been covered with your insurance, but aren't.

Whatever you do, don't have all your teeth extracted to save a buck. It really doesn't save you anything at all, but it will cost you a lot, later in your life.

P.S.: I told you I make good quality dentures for a living. Maybe you should also know that I have two 3 unit bridges and 3 single crowns in my mouth ... no partial dentures for me!

Answer 2

My husband has been wearig dentures since he was 16,now 63.
Upper and lower. He eats everything and anything. Apples, nuts hard cookies ...anything hard. and said he never had a problem he doesn't realize he wears dentures..fit like a glove.. he can sneezr cough and teeth do not fly out of mouth. He feels is was the best choice he made and does not regret it. My son had 3 root canals that fell apart and a crown he swallowed. The crown had to be replaced out of his pocket again. No dental work is guaranteed and decay does form under crowns.
Feel comfortable with your choice. Personally, I have to agree with your mother it is called job security. If you decide dentures it is the business of no one. You are the one paying. A little patience and do not listen to horror stories, a lot is psychological. I know plenty who wear them with no complaints.
Tell your feelings to the dentist and listen to him. His choice may not be your choice.
Not everyone has luck with root canals, crowns and implants
There is no positive proof you will have problems down the line with the jaw bone. Some do many don't. People have been wearing dentures for centuries and the ones made today are not the same as the old days. If they are more research needs to go into the making of them.

Answer 3

Hi -- You sound like you are quite young, and if the dentist assures you that this is okay, it should be fine. It is likely a good idea to have this done when you are young. I teach high school, and a number of my students had their wisdom teeth done this way, and were fine. Most had 2 out at a time. I had mine out 3 months ago, and still have some side effects, but I am 53, so that makes a big difference. Just a couple of hints. Take the pain meds that the dentist gives you, on schedule, so that you don't suffer needless discomfort. ------The dentist will likely tell you to swish with salt water -- do this several times a day, for at least a week. It really helps the healing. You might want to keep it up for much longer. ------I had some nerve damage to my tongue, as did a friend of mine, and that is finally going away. Not totally fixed yet, but improving. The tongue felt like it was burnt. Just something to be aware of.-----Some people feel fine the next day; I know one guy who went snowboarding; but some kids need to take more time -- even a week to get back to normal. --I was still having discomfort 2 months later, but age is a big factor, and as well, I had 4 teeth out, so my mouth was open for a long time, and I think I the strain on my jaw caused a lot of the problem. Good luck.

Answer 4

either way is going to cost you a lot of money. personally, i have had 2 root canals and am happy with both. the thought of dentures turns me off. you need to talk to the dentist, do some research, then decide. talk to some people who have dentures and see how they like them. if you don't feel comfortable with what the dentist is telling you, find another dentist and compare opinions. good luck.

Answer 5

Everyone would definately wants to save natural teeth for sure , but problem arises when one can't afford to save the tooth or the tooth itself can't be saved as its in no conditioned to be saved .Now in ur case u dnt have to woory about the money thing according to you ,u can afford dental treatment. so the next step is to know how many of ur teeth can be saved and how many of them can't and one thing not every tooth can go for RCT ( root canal treatment).It also depend on ur age well dentures are for old pplz usually because oral hygiene , bone resorption , gum problems are quite a no. of reason that crown or fixed treatment can't be done. Now its up to you to chooose ur dentist then try to dicuss with him everything. A dentist do charge alot though but wont give u any wrong idea regarding your treatment.so best of luck.

Answer 6

Always better to preserve what is left of natural teeth. Your facial structure will be better and who would want to deal with dentures if you didnt have to. Be sure you are going to a good dentist and dont hesitate to get a 2nd opinion....alot depends on how well the work is done.

Answer 7

it is going to cost money, but the best thing to do is to keep your natural teeth as much as possible. when you pull all the teeth it can cause lots of problems with the bones in your jaw and you will not be able to eat as well. ask all the questions when you are there and the dentist will explain.

Answer 8

Dentures are not a lot of fun, its much better to have your teeth crowned, if the insurance is paying then it isnt really an issue;

Answer 9

why don't you keep your natural teeth that are good and ask your dentist about implants, if you don't want implants why don't you try to get partials and not full dentures. some dentists actually care about what you want and what's good for you. And most dentists try to get you to keep your good teeth. hope this helps.