Fed Up With Dentures!!!

[Julie]

I have been fighting with my dentures for 3 years.  The first set was made incorrectly (made by a reputable prosthodontist for $3,000).  The bite was off and the bottom plate made my bottom lip recede way in..looking like I really wasn't wearing any.  Of course, this being my first set of dentures, I figured this is how they were suppose to be.  Nope. As a result, I have an enormous amount of bone loss these past 2-3 years, deep, permanent wrinkles in my cheeks and around my lips.  I have been unable to chew and they would never stay in.  Got down to 92 pounds because I can't eat.

2 months ago, I went to another guy for a consultation.  He confirmed that they were not made to fit my mouth correctly.  He said a new set would fill my face out again and I'd be able to eat better.

I just spent another $3,000 for a new set...and insurance DENIED paying any portion of them because their assinine rules state that unless a denture is 10 yrs old or more..or broken beyond repair, they will not insure them. (even though this particular dental plan we currently have has never had a claim from me before).  I appealed telling them it was a necessity to survival....  but, they didn't care.

So...I have the new teeth...and a tiny bit more of my lips show again, though nothing like my old smile.  The bite feels a bit better...at least my jaws don't ache as much from them over-closing and pursing like with the old set.  The wrinkles...really didn't fill in any more, but I like the shape of these teeth better.

HOWEVER...they STILL won't stay in due to my dry mouth and lack of bony ridge, especially on the bottom.  They are skiddish about doing implants..saying it's up to me if I want to take the risk... (and shell out $5,000 for TWO measly implants!).  I am still only able to eat very soft foods.  No meat...and nothing sticky.  Even at that, I have to be sure to reglue them 15 minutes before a meal...and usually 10-15 minutes into a meal, they come unglued again.  It takes me no less than 1 to 1.5 hrs to eat my dinner.  Going out to eat in public is pretty much impossible. And due to my swallowing difficulty, I choke very frequently and have to be very careful about that.

I have tried Fixodent, Poligrip (both in the tube and powder forms)...and most recently Secure (which burned horribly for 2 hours...inflammed my gums for 2 days after using...AND only bonded for 15 minutes, even though it says it will last anywhere from 12 hours to 3 days!?!)

::SIGH:   I JUST WANT TO EAT.  I am hungry!

Suggestions would be so welcome and valued.
Thanks,
Julie

[irish]

I am really astounded that you are unable to keep your dentures in. My bottom ones just float around and when I glue them in they stay for several hours. I just reglue them again.

I am dry but not always dry. I have found that when I put the glue on my denture to then run them under water for just a second and then place them in my mouth. I use the Fixodent and find that when I use a lot of glue I have more problems than when I use just a little bit in several places.

I can't give you any answers and can only assume that your bones in your bottom jaw hae shrunk up. I have the same issues with jaw shrinkage but mostly in my top jaw. It has changed my looks some but I just live with it. The inability to eat should have been drawn to the attention of the one who makes the teeth.

When I get new dentures I go back every couple of days to get the adjusted. Takes a lot of time but very much worth it. At least then I am able to eat with mine. The ones I have don't fit me right either and my bite is off. It doesn't look that bad so I just felt that I would live with it cause another set of dentures will be gotten at some point. Sorry you are having so much trouble.

I have to admit that I am able to find things to eat without my teeth and would use my little food grinder a lot making sure that I got my nutritional intake. Actually, I probably ate better without my dentures than I do with them. Good luck. Irish.

[susanep]

I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time with your dentures. Like irish I found that small drops of fixodent is better than a lot all around. The fixodent actually feels better on my sore gums.

susanep

[Julie]

Susan and Irish,

Thank you for your replies.  Question - does the Fixodent you use have Zinc in it?  That is the main reason why I switched to Super Polident.  I was using the Fixodent Free to avoid irritation from flavors, etc, but it still had zinc, which is not good for one's system, especially when having to reapply it every couple of hours or more.

Julie

[Seeker]

Howdy Julie, I am sad you are having such problems, with your teeth.  I have had my dentures for only six months.  So I understand the pain you are going through.  However my dentist put a form fitting cushioning  agent in the trays of my dentures.  It made a big difference.

I still need to use a little fixodent on the bottoms.  But I have far less pain.  Have you tried  EZO  or Snug Denture Pads?  I understand they work real well on loose or painful dentures.

I hope you will find something that works for you.

Seeker

[Julie]

I just went thru my drawers and rediscovered Fixodent without Zinc.  I think I used it only once and threw it in the back of the drawer, which meant I didn't like it, but I can't remember why. So..I thought I'd give it another chance.  Put the little dabs around..popped in my mouth and waited 1/2 hour to try and eat soft meatloaf.  Half way through 1 slice...the bottoms are completely out. 

:-(

[Bucky]

Julie - sorry you are having such a rough time with your dentures.   

Do you dry your dentures off before applying the adhesive (gel kind)?

I put a strip of adhesive all along the inside bottom of the dentures, not just a dab here and there.  I have no trouble with them sticking.  Also, when I put them in, I firmly hold it in place applying pressure to it to a count of 15-20 seconds each.

Is this your dentist that fitted them, or someone else?  They should be able to offer some advice for you to get them to stay put.

I hope you can find something that will work so you can eat some decent food. 

Bucky

[irish]

When you had your teeth pulled did they end up having to take off the ridges of bone on your bottom jaw?? I had to have another surgery following my teeth extraction. The oral surgeon sort of cleaned up my bone on the bottom so that my plate would sit better. He took off some of the big ridges (they get really sore when they rub on the dentures) and left some ridge so that my dentures would adhere better with the paste.

I pay no attention to whether there is zinc in my paste. I have had dentures for 7 years I think. Sometimes I use the Equate brand and that works quite well also. Wish you could get some relief from this issue. Irish

[Julie]

Irish, I did not have the bones surgically removed. There are some pretty big ones behind the lower eye teeth.  The oral surgeon mentioned them when he was extracting the teeth, but none of the prosthodonists have said they need modifying.  But, with both sets of dentures that I have had, they have had to cut out and around those bones, (because it does hurt like heck having that plastic rubbing on them)  so I know that doesn't help the stability situation at all. 
I don't get why it takes so darned long to chisel off any of the adhesives from my gums hours later, but yet, it won't hold the teeth in for more than 15 minutes when eating. 
I'm surprised you don't worry about the zinc content, but then if you don't have to reapply very often, it's not a concern I guess.  I was really sick much of last summer and the symptoms were similar to those of zinc poisoning.  I have to reglue every 2 hours or more though. That's when I switched to the zinc free.

[irish]

I am wondering if you are putting too much paste on and not wetting the paste enough. The only time I have dry paste adhered to my gums is when I have applied too much of it. Also, using a small amount and then holding the dentures under running water to wet the paste helps me.

Also, the food and water could be seeping in around and under the areas of the larger bony prominences. These prominences probably leave little open areas where food and fluid can get under the dentures which loosens them up.

Try applying the paste to the larger bony prominences very thinly. Might be able to seal these areas. The key to keeping the dentures in is that less paste is better. When I put too much paste I get such pain in my ridges around my jaw. It is because I get too much paste, wet the paste which then swells up and this causes pressure on my gums. It is sort of a crap shoot trying to figure this out. Good Luck. Irish

[gurs]

I feel for you sister..what a nightmare the dental issues are. I would try having your doc and dentist write letters and appeal to your insurance company..my rhuemy said she has seen this work..because of your medical history. I cant chew at the moment either. I have no lower teeth on left side, and the ride side i just had a major laser gum/nerve surgery and pray its not infected....oh, the pain.
I have spent over 60,000 in the last 5-6 years and I still have this to deal with....feel for you!

gursie

[Julie]

Gursie .... I sure hope you get feeling better and that it won't be long before you are pain-free and able to eat.  With so many things that can plague our bodies, you wouldn't think that teeth issues should be a major ordeal, but it can sure be a long drawn-out, painful process just to get to the point where one can eat.  I will keep good thoughts for you.

Irish, I really appreciate your help.  I have tried every which way...or so I thought.  On the tubes, the gel type of adhesives say to dry the dentures thoroughly before applying.  The dentists have told me that too.  I always dry my dentures with a dry cloth before applying the adhesive.  Then I rinse my mouth out with water, put in the dentures, and hold them til the count of 30.  I tried the powder adhesives, which say the opposite of the gels. Powders say to apply to wet dentures.  I had zero luck with the powders. Only stayed in for maybe 1/2 hour.  I  just don't have any ridge for the bottom plate to sit on.  They just feel like they are sitting on top the gum line and not wrapping around the sides at all, especially in the front. 

I am going to try your 'wet' application tomorrow though and see if I have any better luck though.  Sure hope so.

Thanks!
Julie