Dentures ... alternatives?

[saxy_jag]

I had a post crown reseated today for the second time in as many months. It stayed in placed for three years before that and considering it's an upper incisor, it's done well.

When my dentist first fitted it she did warn me that it might well not be a permanent solution, given its position (ie upper front). I saw her locum today who said there's a very real possibility of it not being a viable option for much longer.

Now, I can't afford implants and the dentist is unlikely to be able to make a case for NHS funding. It's also doubtful whether she'd be able to fit a bridge, because the teeth either side aren't that strong - they're both crowned and mightn't even be big enough. The remaining option, therefore, would be some sort of denture.

This worries me, as I have visions of choppers in glasses of water, like granny's. I'm aware that dentures (the dentist said 'plate') must have come on tremendously in recent years and I trust my dentist to do a good a job as she always does.

So my question is, if a denture becomes inevitable, what alternatives are there - if any - to a dirty great set of choppers grinning at me through the side of a glass and me grinning back at them like some toothless old witch?

[weeal]

pmsl
its not a requirement to put them in a glass aside the bed, old grannies etc do that cos they never persevered to keep them in, in fact leaving them out is bad for the jaw bone

i had to get dentures at age 20, best thing I ever did, Im now 44 never really had a day of pain in all that time, they look real, and i only remove them to clean them and they go straight back in again

better than all the pain i used to have

[Connemmara]

I would not be an authority to answer for dentures as I keep on getting crown after crown but I know the day will come that I will get dentures - my friend has dentures - only 55 - but you would not know they look great and no pain as well

[daffy654]

It shouldn't matter that the teeth either side are already crowned(for a bridge).I have a 3 tooth bridge on my lower teeth at the front,it consists of two crowns with a solid crown in the middle to fill the gap.I did used to have a single denture on a plate there but it just would not stay in and made eating impossible, so I changed dentist and they fitted the bridge,it has been there for over 20 years now but did have to be re-fitted once due to the gum receding and leaving a gap underneath the centre tooth.lol

[MrXLA]

daffy654 I appreciate that you are trying to be helpful which I'm sure saxy-jag is grateful for however:
- to make statements like 'It shouldn't matter that the teeth either side are already crowned(for a bridge)'
one would hope that you fufil the following criteria:
- BDS or equivalent
- Many years post-graduate experience in the field of restorative dentistry
- perhaps on the specialist register for restorative dentistry
- have the ability to make the above statement without knowing anything about saxy_jag or have any radiographs, study models or photographs in front of you

- fact is that nobody can make that statement without examining saxy-jag
- it may be that the long term prognosis of the adjacent teeth is compromised and that further loading (ie with a bridge) would not be possible without shortening their life span (which would leave a bigger gap to restore)
- of course I'm only guessing and could not say for certain

- you've mentioned the other restorative options jag so I'll not go into further details about them
- ask your dentist about a valplast denture, which is made of a nylon material can typically be thinner and more aesthetic than other materials and doesn't usually require as much palatal coverage

[saxy_jag]

Please guys, don't argue over me!

It's helpful to know about the different alternatives, which is what I asked, and I do actually feel happier about the idea now. The crown is still sitting nicely and securely in place and I'm hoping it'll stay that way for the foreseeable future. However, I've been looking at some photos on the net of people with really nice dentures and I'll concentrate on that and forget about granny's molars.

I guess I can't fight the inevitable and, as I said, I have a very good dentist. She's a bit of perfectionist who tells me she loves a challenge, so I have no doubt if/when the time comes, she'll offer me the best solution. Without her and a former, equally good dentist (who moved out of town, sadly) I'd not even have the set of teeth I have now, so I have every confidence things will work out OK. I think it's just a matter of getting used to the idea.

[Schutzengel]

MrXLA,
That wasn't very nice at all. It would have been much nicer and indeed helpful if you had given saxy-jag the benefit of your obvious knowledge on the subject without having a go at Daffy.

[MrXLA]

It was not a specific critiscim of daffy (or certainly was not intended to be)
I was merely highlighting that neither I nor anyone else can make blanket statements about dental (or medical care which I often find very alarming on this site!!!).
That it would be more wise to suggest 'possible' options.

[MrXLA]

I should note also that I am not a specialist restorative dentist

[MrXLA]

Unfortunately saxy_jag it is doubtful that you would qualify for implantology on the NHS
There is very little funding available and it is typically reserved for oral (or maxillofacial) rehabillitation of people who have suffered trauma, carcinoma or congenital defects etc..

However there are other restorative options available (Valplast/flexible dentures being one) that are not as expensive as implants and may achieve the results you want.

Best bet discuss with your dentist or even a few others or try and source friends and family who have different types of restoration and find out if any would be suitable in your case

[saxy_jag]

That's exactly what my dentist said, MrXLA. I'm told that the medical condition of my gums and jaw would make me a good candidate for the prodecure. However, it would be for purely cosmetic purposes and therefore wouldn't qualify for NHS funding. At �2000-�3000 for private treatment, it's not an option.

As I've said, a little research and some encouraging words from others have left me far more confident about the alternatives. For now, I'm hoping the post crown will hold out, but when it no longer becomes viable then at least I'll be a bit more comfortable with the outcome.