This Could Be Heaven
Question:
Dear Dr. Crapo: I’m ten years from retirement. I’m not in great health but I function adequately in the workplace because I have to. All my family have terrible teeth. I’ve kept mine for longer than the rest of my siblings but I’ve been putting off the inevitable. After five years of telling myself I was going to see a dentist, I finally went. I knew he was going to tell me I needed all my teeth out and get dentures, but I didn’t want him to. I knew I had disease. I knew I had a very large bridge that had come off most of its anchor teeth because of decay. I knew I had abscesses, but I still hoped for a miracle. When he told me I had to have my teeth out and get a denture, I was prepared but still not happy. I know I have to lose my upper teeth (he said I had eight good lower front teeth) but I’m paralyzed. If I have my teeth out will I be without teeth? I couldn’t do that! Will taking my teeth out get rid of the disease? Can I have an upper denture without plastic covering the roof of my mouth? He said I had too much disease for implants – I feel boxed in. I think I need more options.
Answer:
I have seen two individuals in the past month where disease and bone inadequacy have dictated an upper denture – at least for six to eight months. As I worked with them, we made a priority list – 1. Get rid of disease, 2. Increase bone availability, 3. Wear an immediate denture for appearance, 4. Don’t “burn any bridges” so options are open for the future, 5. Reassess health and comfort regularly over the next six to eight months.
Both individuals do not want plastic covering the roof of their mouth but without it gravity takes over and your denture is on the floor. Yes, it interferes with taste and texture of one’s food; however, in six to eight months these people will use implants to replace the denture with a bridge. You could do the same and here’s the advantage. You achieve the above goals. Once disease is gone, and the bone healthy, your denture could be converted to a bridge in one visit. You’re never without teeth, your mouth is healthy and decay is a thing of the past. Food will taste and feel like it did when your teeth were in good shape. It’s a process, but one that’s well worth the time and money. We have folks tell us this almost daily. If you’d like a personal testimonial, call us, we have happy patients who have done what you’re about to do and would do it again in a heartbeat.
If we can help, we’d like to. Call 778-410-2080 for a consultation. Based on actual patient cases