Is there some way of getting dentures if you don't have teeth to make the mold for them?

My mother (50 years old) lost her teeth over the period of her life. As such, there's no possible way for her to have kept all of her teeth as they fell out. As of now, she has no teeth left, and she badly wants to get dentures. The dentist she went to said he can't make dentures for her since there's no teeth to make the mold for her mouth.





What I want to know is, is there -some- way of fitting dentures to her mouth that doesn't involve the original teeth? She's becoming increasingly depressed because she can't eat even the softest foods because she has no teeth to chew.

Is there some way of getting dentures if you don't have teeth to make the mold for them?
She needs to see another dentist...





Preliminary impressions are taken on edentulous (without teeth) patients all of the time! The impression is then 'poured up' in stone to make a model of what Mom looks like, and a custom tray is made, similar to the tray that was used for the first impression.. then another impression (final) is taken, which is more accurate. Back to the lab it goes, and then Mom goes back to the dentist for a 'bite registration' appointment. Measurements are taken, and a shade (color of teeth on denture) is chosen. Back to the lab it goes, and then her next visit would be for a 'try-in'... the denture is in a 'wax' stage.. this is where Mom can make changes, either with the shade or the bite..... and then... back to the lab it goes for the 'finish' (if the try-in' stage was ok)... she'd get her new denture at her next visit..





Sore spots may develop since her mouth needs to get used to the new 'tenant', but that's normal, and it only takes a few minutes to take care of this.





Best wishes to your Mom, and let her know she'll be able to smile and eat again!
Reply:All they really need are the molds for her gums.





They can make teeth with perfect shape and bite.





How would this dentist explain replacing a lost tooth?





Find another dentist - Also look into dental implants.
Reply:Dentist don't need mold of original teeth to make dentures!! I don't know what kind of dentist she went to, but all the dentist really need is the person to take a mold of her gums. The dentures are fitting on the upper palate and the lower ridge of the gum. Technicians use plastic teeth to attach to the rest of the denture.


Find another dentist, that is all.
Reply:Your dentist must have failed his/her denture course. Designing dentures for people with no existing teeth is a science which can be applied with great success. Such things as the proper length of the chewing muscles, support of the lips and the shape of the face are all taken into account when designing the dentures.


By all means find a dentist who feels comfortable in making dentures for your mother. The dentures, when properly made, will give her better nutrition and a really better outlook on life.
Reply:the dentist lied.





You dont need teeth for the molds - only the mold of her gums. The teeth they can make to look perfect.





My mother lost her teeth early in life (before she was 30 anyway because she's had them for as long as I can remember) and now she's 70+ and they still look perfect. she only puts them in water when she sleeps.





Also I once told a dentist that I wanted all my teeth pulled as well, so I could have dentures like my mother. She told me that when you have dentures, apparently you lose some of the taste and texture of the food you are chewing. Looking back now, I realise that the tongue has the taste buds, not the teeth, so I think she lied to me as well.
Reply:Sorry you must have misunderstood. No problem at all, will just need to wax up %26amp; try in before processing denture. Have done it thousands of times!! Doc W
Reply:As others have stated- a dentist can fit dentures for someone who has not teeth quite easily. They may not look like the patients own teeth did but can be made quite life like. If she has any photos of when she had teeth they can get a general feel for the shape of those original teeth.





If she is totally without teeth right now they will be able to design and construct dentures that have the teeth set in wax so she can try them in to see what she will look like and with input from her and maybe you- they can adjusted to look pretty much however she wants.





The best thing would be if she knows someone who wears dentures and ask them who they use- word of mouth is always a good place to start looking for dentures- a satisfied denture wearer would be good advertising.