Has anyone any advice or gone through the same thing - teeth

Shinamae

My bridge, which was about 13 years old failed about six weeks ago, no way could I afford implants so I opted for the denture it has cost me £1500, I have the temporary one in at the moment and in six months time when my gums have hardened, I will have the permanent one. I did not like the thought of a denture at all, but actually it is fine…😁

By the way, I have just turned 70

My bridge, which was about 13 years old failed about six weeks ago, no way could I afford implants so I opted for the denture it has cost me £1500, I have the temporary one in at the moment and in six months time when my gums have hardened, I will have the permanent one. I did not like the thought of a denture at all, but actually it is fine…😁

Thank you for your reassuring posts. We are on holiday at the moment and I keep ruminating and nattering to my husband as to what to do but I know (and he knows) I will probably have to have the implants in the end. I wonder if we could get a good price for both of us? The thing is, will I have the big gap whilst the presumed bone graft and preparatory work is undergone? I can’t contemplate the alternatives!

I lost my front crowns and had a denture until it healed but hated it (it was a temporary quickly made one) so instead of a newer car I had implants and bone grafts done. I have no regrets and would love more! I does take a long time but I found discomfort was minimal.

I am in the process of having two of my crowns replaced - I am 67. The original crowns are over 25 years old and, as happens to us all, my gums had started to recede and it looked as though there was a big black line across the top of these two teeth (they were my front two teeth). To compound the look, I have two implants on either side of these front teeth which are flush to the gum, emphasising the bad (now) fit of the crowns. I have the temporary ones in at present and they have made such a difference - the final crowns being put in next Tuesday. I am very pleased so far and deem it money well spent (although I have (and have had for many years) a dental plan policy which will help towards the cost. No matter how old you are, if its bothering you and you can afford it, I would say go for it - it will make all the difference in looks and make you feel a lot happier about yourself. Good luck

When an old crown failed in a front tooth due to a cracked root, I was reluctant to pay for an implant. I had a little false tooth, but had to cut up all my food and it didn't look great. I therefore chose to bite the bullet and SKI (spend kids' inheritance). I needed a bone graft as well, so the total cost was nearly £5000. There was no pain involved, just a little soreness for a few days. I have no regrets apart from the colour being a poor match, which was disappointing. Whatever you chose I wish you good luck! You are worth it!

I'm in my 60's and my bridge crown of 30 years has failed. Had an absess and it was extremely painful.
Had the impression and of course the crown came away leaving a gap of 2 teeth quite near the front. I just sat and cried and felt very silly afterwards.
Had the root removed a couple of days after and a denture fitted the same day.I now have the pain of the gum healing a swollen mouth and a denture that feels like I've got a very tight corset on. Also the denture feels very big and the lump of plastic feels awful apparently I'm told, I will get used to it.
I had to get over the fact that I need a denture but it does look amazing and not many people know or care.
Implants are expensive and not guarateed to work!
So I've put my big girl pants on and accepted it!

I had two bridges which lasted for decades but finally failed. I then had a very expensive denture made, a slim thing that clipped round my eye teeth. It never felt right and after a month I abandoned it as my two eye teeth were becoming loose and I feared loosing them. I do have some gum disease and feel this is the reason but my dentist should have taken this into account when recommending the denture. It cost me £1000 and now sits in its box unused. I now struggle to eat one one side, very carefully!

Hello again Dollymixtures. If its any help, even just for your husband at least to try, the adhesive cream that my husband uses is called Fixodent PLUS. I buy it at Sainsburys. It is in a BLUE and GOLD packet. On the top left it says "For full and partial dentures' on a red background and on the right it says UNBEATABLE HOLD on red and blue. There are lots of other Fixodent adhesives so it might just be trial and error. I can honestly say that using the creams has made all the difference to the fit of my husbands denture. He wasnt told about these by the dentist and I am not sure why. It really helps though.

Thanks for your replies. I don’t think my husband’s needs are greater. I’ve had a lot of money spent on me and his is a front tooth which really needs an implant. He’s got a denture at the moment but can’t bear it, it keeps falling out. I didn’t know fixative would help though.

You’ve given me hope that it’s not just vanity that’s making me want some better solution. I’m not a good patient and I doubt if I’ve got enough bone there already so that would have to be done too. I’m on oral chemo and aspirin for a blood cancer so it might be too tricky anyway. If there’s a huge gap, your cheek falls in without support so I’m afraid I’ll look like a witch!

I just can’t bear the denture route and can’t have a huge gap, I just want to keep this bridge as it is please God! It’s an impossible dilemma but something is going to have to be done. You tickled me, Sparklefizz - that’s what credit cards are for!

You are not being vain (and 73 is not that old!)

I am 70 and am about to have a bridge and crown fitted in the upper left hand side of my mouth. Front upper 6 teeth are already 2 bridges done 4 years ago as I hated my crooked front teeth.

I can't advise which procedure is best for you but you shouldn't think your husband needs are greater than yours

Teeth are a very important part of our body. Personally, I would try to get the best dentures going with all the recommended fixatives etc. I had an implant, it cost me a lot of money and I had to have it removed because it was originally put into a receding gum which did not hold the implant. Very expensive to remove and a year long of antibiotics because dentist refused to have it removed which wrecked my digestive system. I self referred in the end to a specialist surgeon. My message would be to do loads of research on all the alternatives and look also on the American sites as they often have detailed info as they have to pay for all their healthcare there.

Dollymixtures You're allowed to care about your appearance whatever age you are. I can't offer advice about the options you suggest but I think our teeth give us confidence so in your place I wouldn't put up with a huge gap even if it costs a lot. This is what credit cards are for

I have exactly the same problem. My crown has been in place for over 20 years and I'm making a decision about having 2 implants.

I would say to try a couple of dentists for estimates of cost. I did and there is a huge difference in the price. The one from my regular dentist is £5,000 including scans and monitoring for 3 months etc, and the other twice that, as it included bone augmentation which my regular dentist doesn't think necessary.

It isn't just the cost, I know I couldn't cope with the procedures the more expensive dentist described. I am a nervous patient and I know my limitations. I may also have been put off by the opening question which was, ''How long are you planning to live?'

Whatever you decide I hope it works out well for you.

I wonder if you could consider persevering with the denture for longer. You may eventually get used to it if it is really the only affordable option. My husband lost front teeth in his 50s. He had to get used to the denture, either that or put up with the gaps which he felt would be worse. For a long time he hated it and in particular found it very difficult to eat with them in. Out to dinner, he would cough and cover his mouth hiding the denture in his hand before eating. No one ever said anything. I am not sure they even noticed, but at the time it was very embarassing for us. Eventually after about a year he found a good fixing cream and didnt have to take them out to eat any more. He just got used to them. Now in his 60s wearing them has become part of his routine, he even has a spare pair. He never ever complains about them now and hasn't for years.
Another option - could your husband try dentures, as he has the lesser problem? Then any money could go towards your dental work. Maybe that's worth a conversation.
By the way I don't think you are vain, I am sure I would feel the same. We all want to look our best whatever age we are.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.