For those who've had all teeth extracted...

[mews]

Daisy,

My insurance doesn't pay for dental implants, so it would  be very expensive for me to go that route.

My teeth hurt more and more these days, I am so worried, I need two root canals in my lower mouth and both are covered by bridge..the dentist says no problem, we will just drill through the bridge, it will be OK... I am worried that they will just crumble the teeth underneath!

I have a bridge on my front 4 teeth and I have a hair line crack in it now... I am so upset, it seems as though my gums are shrinking up and my bridges are coming loose! Cavities every where, we can't keep up!

My question is, do I try to let him drill through and see what happens or wait it out until it gets so bad I have to have them pulled?

Feel Well All
Mary

[BonusMom]

I'm waiting on a pre-approval for two implants (not on my chest either).  I broached the subject on this forum and someone gave me the lowdown on the success of upper implants for which I'm eternally grateful.

I'd give you the link to the thread, but I can't search on my Blackberry :-/

Of course, without insurance coverage, I will not consider implants as they are cost prohibitive and I have had many cavities, root canals, etc. over the years.  I fully expect to lose all of my teeth at some point--sooner than later because of my dental issues.

[Meld256]

I appreciate the replies! 

Irish,
Yes, I am really looking forward to the day when I can meet someone and smile! It will help boost my self-confidence back to where it used to be...and I may just stand and stare at my beautiful teeth in the mirror. 
My husband recently lost 60 (!) pounds, and shaved his thin locks of hair to a sexy, bald head. I told him I need to keep up and get a pretty smile.
And all my teeth hurt, they take turns from day to day. I think I've gotten so accustomed to it, it will be surprising when they don't. I am being put to sleep and having all the top extracted and a temp. denture put in right away. I hope I'm making the right decision.

Katybarstool,
Love the Biotene gel! It is great. Thanks for your reply.
susanep, I appreciate you telling me your experiences. I don't doubt I'll still have some mouth sores, etc, but no more absesses! I had 2 teeth absessed recently and it was quite awful.


Guess my other question is: Has anyone seen less joint pain or fatigue after extractions? As irish mentioned, I've wondered how many germs and toxins my decaying teeth have released into my body, making everything worse? Any thoughts?
Thank, everyone.  Good discussion...
Melinda

[Meld256]

Smudge,
Thank you for your reply, and Welcome to Sjogren's World!    

I believe I'll be very happy with my decision in the long run. I appreciate your being honest about pain, infections, etc. I KNOW this will not be "a piece of cake" or "no big deal".  I've found a very caring, female dentist who has several Sjogren's patients, so I feel confident with her ability to care for me.

I fully expected to keep most of my teeth til I was a very old lady, but they literally have broken, cracked and crumbled in one year's time. It is unbelievable! My mouth was really drying out and I attributed it to meds I started, menopause, and my job I had talking on the phone all day.
Take care, and I hope to hear more from you, Smudge.
Melinda

[Smudge]

You're very welcome, Mel.

When I was first facing the idea of dentures, I found little online to describe the process in detail.  People I knew that had been there didn't offer much in the way of information, either.  So I started a journal covering all the nasty little details, as well as the good stuff, hoping to get some info out there. 

Here is a link to my journal:

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9147

Admin, if it's against forum rules to post it, please remove it.  I've gotten several requests for the link via PM, so I thought I might post it here to save a little time.

[Bucky]

Melinda - this is a thread of yours from earlier in the month - just wondering if you've had your teeth extraction yet, or are you still waiting?

I'm glad you are sleeping through the procedure.  I, on the other hand, was awake and well aware of everything going on.  The shots in the roof of your mouth are the most painful thing ever!!  Child birth was a piece of cake compared to that.

I also asked to have my teeth after the procedure.  They didn't give me all of them, but at least three or four of them so I could have proof that they were just crumbling and peeling.

IF you haven't had the procedure done yet, if I were you, I would try and schedule this early in the week so the doctor office is available if you need anything (versus having it done on a Friday and having to wait all weekend if something comes up . . . talking from experience here  ).

It does take some adjustment to having a denture(s).  Getting the right amount of adhesive to get a good grip.  After 2-1/2 years I am still trying to get that right balance of the gel adhesive.  The powder adhesive is easy to use but doesn't hold all day - you have to keep applying it.  You have to be careful when drinking hot stuff as it looses the grip.

I had so many infections from my teeth.  Those days are gone.  Yay!

Like the others have said, you still get sore spots now and then but the dentist office is quick to get you in to adjust stuff (at least my dentist office is).

I hope you will feel better about your smile once this procedure is done. 

Bucky

[Meld256]

Hi Bucky, 

I am still waiting for the "big extraction", and thanks for asking. I've been working on this since mid-November; you know, waiting for insurance to authorize, etc. I also had to wait a few weeks to have some more cash to make payments for my portion of the bill.

So far, I've had the impressions a couple weeks ago, they came back and I went in today to have a wax fitting. They will be sent back to the lab because the bottom won't fit properly. After we get that back, another fitting and then FINALLY the extraction of all my teeth. Yes, I'm very happy about being put to sleep. Ooh, shots in the roof of the mouth! That does sound worse than childbirth. lol  And I had my second child with only a local that didn't kick in until after he crowned; yeeoowwy 

Thanks for the tip about having this done early in the week. I have a kind, female dentist and she told me that she only does extractions like this on Mondays. She wants me back on Tues, and Wed. and every day that week if it's needed. That makes me feel much more comfortable. She also has several Sjogren's patients, so she's well aware of our "issues".  I have had some real problems with my mouth lately and infections, and pain. Yuck.  I will look forward to being done with that! And just being able to smile...now I use a "persimmon-face" smile 

Thanks for checking on me. I appreciate it!
Take care, dear.
Melinda

[inga]

About 80% of my teeth are crowns.

My mom lost all her teeth at 36 and had a terrible time with dentures, due to exostoses.

I vowed to never go thru what she did. I developed exostses, or large bone growths on my inner gums.  My mom attempted to have these shaved down, but they just grew back.  Her dentures never fit right.

So, long story short, for me, I would need implants if these crowns fail.  I am 58 years old, and so far so good.  All the teeth that were replaced with crowns, had cracked.  I even dream of my teeth cracking and crumbling in my mouth as I chew.

If you don't have these bone growths, I would not think it would be as bad.

[Meld256]

Hi inga,

I hope you're doing well. Or as well as expected, as the saying goes...

Certainly understand you never wanting to go through what your mother did with the bone growths. What a challenge that must have been for her! At least, implants are an option for you that I am guessing was not available to your mom. No, I don't have exostoses, so that is something I can feel blessed about.

I'm glad the crowns are hanging in there for you, and continue to last a long time. I will be 55 in a couple of weeks, and never thought I'd need to have all this done anytime soon, but then I didn't expect all the other medical problems, either. None of us do...
Take care,
Melinda

[eyeamdry]

I'm also skeptical about the so called "silver fillings" being removed.  That would mean more than 1/2 of my remaining teeth would be gone and have to be re-filled?  I don't think so.  I hear people frequently talking about this stuff causing problems to their health.  One young man was in my GP's office having "chelation" (umum) and he told me he'd had to have fillings taken out and replaced because he was allergic to the dark materials. 

This is along the line of eye MD's talking their patients into Lasik surgery because "they are the perfect candidate."  This money is big bucks for the drs.  It has to be paid up front, before any work is done.  No insurance involved.  No need to wait for the check.  It's basically all profit and the more they sell, the more $$ they make.  With dentists, the more they sell the idea of "bad fillings" the more money they make.

You know how often pople come on here with THE CURE.  They do it all the time.  This will cure AI, that will curee AI....well baloney.  If there was a cure, we are all smart enough to have gone and gotten it by now an not hanging around sick boards like lonesme puppies.  Lucy   Keep your money.