I have been dealing with dentists ever since my teeth came in! The first dentist I had striped my teeth because he gave me fluoride when there was too much iron in the water, or something like that! Growing up, I had a lot of cavities and fillings. I was always trying to save my teeth, but I am a dental disaster.
As an adult, I have spent thousands of dollars trying to save my teeth, pulling my teeth to relieve the pain and eventually, trying to replace my teeth.
At 33 years old, I was told by my former dentist that my only option was to get a full denture on the bottom of my mouth. This would entail pulling multiple teeth, crowning one tooth and then, making the denture itself. Now, we do not have dental insurance, so what doesn’t come from out flex account comes directly out of our pocket and you know how expensive dental work can be!
I was told that the enamel never fully formed on my adult teeth, so they had been decaying at a rapid pace and the bottom teeth that I had were no good.
After discussing it with my husband, we decided to move forward with the crown and denture. The crown that my former dentist put in came out twice in 2 months and then, he said he wouldn’t put it back in. The denture that was made for me was crooked and too large for my mouth. They had to make me a second one. The second one was still slightly crooked and didn’t fit in my mouth the way it was supposed to.
After all of this, I went to see my former dentist about the “crowned” tooth and find out what we should do and he told me that he couldn’t help me anymore and I had to go to an oral surgeon.
So, I had paid them thousands of dollars only to be sent away with no teeth and no denture. I mean, I had the denture, but it is crooked and doesn’t fit, so I can’t wear it.
I decided to look on the internet to see if I could find a more reputable dentist to help me with my issues. After researching, I found a dentist in my city who has been running his own practice for over 17 years. He is highly trained and highly recommended, so I made an appointment.
At my first appointment, he took care of what my former dentist said that only an oral surgeon could do and he shook his head as he looked at my broken crown and crooked denture. He explained to me that I would need a new denture and that he could make me a better one for my mouth.
Now, I was extremely hesitant and have put it off because of what happened at my former dentist and the fact that we would have to PAY for all of this for a second time. I had convinced myself that I would just live without teeth. My new dentist didn’t judge me. He treated me with respect. He explained my options and told me that I could do it whenever I was comfortable.
Well, I went in last week because of severe gum pain and found out that it was caused by not having any teeth or dentures on the bottom. Knowing that I could not live miserably, for the rest of my days, my husband suggested that I just do it. So, I called and made the appointment.
I will be getting implant dentures, which will fit better in my mouth and be easier to get used to.
I start this process on Tuesday, but I am still extremely nervous. I am nervous because of my previous experiences, I am nervous because of the pain and I am nervous because of the price!
Committing to something, for a second time, that costs so much, is extremely hard for me. It makes me feel selfish. Like I am taking opportunities away from my husband and children. I know that this is my own anxiety and thoughts convincing me of this, but I can’t help how I feel!
Lucero De La Tierra says
April 7, 2016 at 1:08 pmSweetheart, I know exactly how you feel right now. A dentist told me that to take care of a tooth that lost it’s filling I would require a root canal or to have it pulled and an implant installed. They quoted me $2500. I didn’t have that kind of money so I went to another dentist that would at least agree to fill the tooth. It is still a nightmare because the tooth is so sensitive to temperature that I can barely chew on that side of my mouth. Fast forward 2 years and I think I have been grinding my teeth at night leading to two broken teeth on the top. Unfortunately, I think I feel a crack forming in another one :'(. One is a wisdom tooth so I’m not too concerned about needing that one pulled. I live in constant pain with one of the teeth. The only thing that keeps me from getting it taken care of is the cost. We barely get by month to month mainly because our electric bill and food costs fluctuate so much. If I knew for a fact what I’d be outlaying every month it would be easier to save some cash back to take care of this painful problem. It gets so bad sometimes it messes with my vision. What I don’t understand is why dental care isn’t covered under major medical. Everything we put in our mouths is what either helps to keep us healthy or makes us suffer. Infections and pain in the mouth can lead to more severe problems that major medical does cover, but they won’t cover the source of the problem. The desperation brings me to tears. I can’t even enjoy eating anymore.
I really hope this works out for you and that your new dentist treats you better than your old one.
Echo says
April 7, 2016 at 6:21 pmUgh, dental pain is the worst and it is terrible when the person that should be helping you doesn’t. Dental work is so darn expensive, I just don’t understand it. It should be covered under healthcare!
Amber says
April 7, 2016 at 1:23 pmGood luck!! I have not gone through this but it sounds like you’ll be in good hands. You’ll be in my thoughts!
Echo says
April 7, 2016 at 6:22 pmThis time I feel like I am in good hands, so hopefully everything will work out.
Stacey Gannett says
April 7, 2016 at 1:23 pmOh twinsie, I am so with ya! I am genetically a dental disaster…from the time they came in. Mouth too small for my teeth, super soft, full of cavities, tons pulled, chipped, and fallen out…it bites! Hubs has a full set of dentures, but only wears the bottom plate, cuz they don’t fit right either…and we don’t have dental insurance either…so he doesn’t even wear them to eat, since they don’t fit right, honestly he really only wears them when he goes out. Hugs and I will definitely be thinking of ya! <3
Echo says
April 7, 2016 at 6:23 pmOh twinsie, that is how my mouth was before I had them all pulled. So horrible. I am hoping that these implant ones will work well for me and my small mouth!
Rabia @TheLiebers says
April 7, 2016 at 1:40 pmOh Echo! I am so sorry that you are having to deal with the pain and outrage of having this done multiple times and paying for shoddy work.
Henry had some dental work done when he was two. His albuterol treatments had severely weakened the enamel on his teeth and he had several root canals. He also had to have one tooth pulled completely and a spacer put in. He was only 3 when all this took place. Fast forward a few years and the caps have come off and the spacer is gone. I called our dentist (whom I trust completely) and he said that shouldn’t have happened. So I called the pediatric dentist that had done the work ad she basically said, “tough luck.” I ended up having to go to another dentist and pay for the procedure again. I also found out that the woman who did the original work has been under investigation several times.
Echo says
April 7, 2016 at 6:25 pmOh my goodness! I can’t imagine going through that at a young age. My teeth really started to deteriorate when I was a teenager. Man, I really wanted to go after my old dentist, but my husband looked it up and apparently, it is very hard to win a civil case against a dentist.
Tamara says
April 7, 2016 at 3:01 pmUgh, so scary! I have good teeth but my gums are a disaster and have cost me a lot of money. We’re in a holding pattern now, and it’s all ok, so maybe that will happen for you for years! Or forever.
Echo says
April 7, 2016 at 6:26 pmI am hoping that once these are done, I can be pain free for at least a few years! *crosses fingers*
Savvy says
April 7, 2016 at 8:25 pmMy husband has had a lot of dental work. We’ve found it hard to find a reliable dentist. His been given advice that ranged from everything is fine to he needs 2 root canals. It has been expensive and literally painful for him. Wishing you all the best.
Echo says
April 8, 2016 at 10:58 pmIt has been so hard, painful and expensive! Hopefully, this will be my light at the end of the tunnel!
Krista says
April 7, 2016 at 8:25 pmOh my!! I have no advice but I’m sending you some serious good teeth vibes! My husband needs a ton of work done but he’s a big baby about any dental work, I’m going to have to drug him to get it done!
Echo says
April 8, 2016 at 10:59 pmThanks for the good teeth vibes, dear! Convince him to get it done!!!!! Don’t let them deteriorate!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
April 8, 2016 at 11:23 amOh I’m sorry you are going through this. Dental pain is awful. Good luck, I’ll be thinking of you.
Echo says
April 8, 2016 at 11:00 pmThank you, Tanya! It feels good to have so much support!
Kristi R Campbell says
April 9, 2016 at 4:37 pmOh I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this! That sucks 🙁 I’ve had some dental disasters as well. One of my teeth has had THREE root canals in it. THREE. Because of screw-ups. UGH. And it’s so expensive. I’ll be you’re really going to like having the implants though – I’ve heard really great things about them. I’ll be thinking about you on Tuesday and hope that it goes REALLY smoothly, pain-free, and fast. Lightning fast, friend.
Holly says
April 14, 2016 at 5:01 pmOh Echo. I wish you all the best and hope that everything works out. My mom lost all her teeth in her 40s and has a set of dentures that don’t fit well too. She has just learned to live without teeth and only wears her dentures for special occasions. I feel for you.
Dee says
June 2, 2016 at 4:50 pmHi Echo!
I got dentures in Feb 2015 (on my 61st birthday. In hindsight, a card would have been enough!) Didn’t have Near the problems that you did. I was fortunate to get a good dentist on the 2nd try. I left the first one after just one visit. He had a Giant bowl of candy in his waiting room and another bowl with Ho-Hos and Twinkies, etc. Talk about drumming up business!
Anyway, I’ve compiled a recipe book for those times when you have no teeth. I also have a Facebook page about dentures, called “The 7 Stages of Teeth.” Stop on by sometime and share your story!