What is the deciding factor in getting dentures?

I've been grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw at night for years. Also, my mother wasn't the best parent growing up and I never even went to the dentist until I was an adult. I also never drank milk or anything high in calcium as a kid. So, now my teeth are a nightmare.


I've tried my hardest to take very good care of my teeth now but, it seems like the damage is already done. I only have about 8 teeth that have not had an extensive root canal done on them. All my back teeth are mostly fillings and not actual tooth material. My gums are receding in a lot of areas. And quite frankly, I'm tired of going to the dentist. I have been going there once a week for the last 6 months literally and I still need work done! I'm also tired of the pain. It feels like it is worthless to try and save a little stub of tooth.


I'd actually prefer if they ripped out all my back teeth and I got dentures. It would save a lot of pain and look better. So, how do you get a dentist to agree to this?

What is the deciding factor in getting dentures?
Big chicken that I am I've had my bad teeth pulled one at a time when I've gotten a toothache. So now I only have 6 left and 2 are broken but don't bother me since they had root canals.





Just tell the dentist you can't afford to have them fixed anymore. You could do like I have and have them pulled as they go bad or else have them pulled and get a denture. In my opinion partials are a waste of time. They have to attach to a front tooth and occasionally that one goes bad and you need to get a new partial. Plus they are hard to eat with. At least that's my experience. I've had much better luck with a full lower denture. The con side to this is that nothing works as well as your real teeth if you want to eat meat or nuts or apples.





Good luck with whatever you decide.
Reply:Dentists have a great deal of knowledge in this area and can tell you if you ask which is better to fix or pull. Usually, upper dentures are easy to wear b/c of suction, but lower dentures suck. They are loose and require denture adhesive or mini implants. Which if you are younger, you may want to think about having done. The younger you are when you have denture, the more bone loss that will occur. Overtime this leads to dentures that don't fit. If you consider mini implants now it would be better, or w/in the next few years. These are mini implants that hold the denture in place so you don't have the denture fit problem. Also helps keep bone in place. Your existing denture can be used at anytime to fit these. Dentures come with multiple office visits too. Sore spots, adjustments, adjustments, adjustments, relines, etc. But, sometimes it is the right choice. If you are getting fillings done, and not root canals, it probably is not denture time yet. Oh yeah, get a night guard and fluoride rinse to use daily.