I WANT TOO SMILE AGAIN !!!!!

[MORGAN]

HI I WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE,i AM A 52YR OLD
I LOST MY WIFE TWO YEARS AGO AFTER 27YRS
NOW I LIVE ALONE,I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DENTIST IN MANY YEARS I HAD CROWNS PUT IN ON MY THREE FRONT
TEETH AROUND 25YRS AGO OR MORE. NOW THEY HAVE COME OFF AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE TOOTH WHICH HELD THEM IS ROTTED AND CAN'T HOLD IT IN PLACE ANY LONGER I USE CEMENT TO TRY AND KEEP THEM IN BUT IT ONLY HOLDS FOR A DAY OR TWO I HAVE WITHDRAWN
FROM LIFE I SEE NO ONE OR VISIT NO ONE I GET INVITED BUT I AM ASHAMED OF THIS PROBLEM I WISH I COULD RE ENTER LIFE AND FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY SELF
I FEEL LIKE LIFE HAS LEFT ME BEHIND.I AM VERY SCARED OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK I HAVE TO WORK
AND WOULD NEVER GET THE NERVE TO GO MISSING MY FRONT TEETH.I HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE BUT HAVE A JOB AND GOOD CREDIT,WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A PERSON LIKE ME.THANK YOU
PS MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS MY FRONT TEETH EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I NEED MORE WORK THANKS AGAIN

[Katie]

Hi, Morgan!

Welcome to the boards!

I understand how you feel -- Before a few months ago, I hadn't been to the dentist in fifteen years! I was so terrified.

I just had a root canal a couple of days ago, though, and it wasn't bad at all! I found a great dentist that's caring and relaxing.

The first thing is not to be ashamed. A good dentist isn't going to make you feel bad about how you got in your situation -- they're going to try to help you.

And no matter how bad your teeth are, trust me, the dentist has seen worse.

It's sad that you're not going out because of your teeth. I think the first step would be to call a dentist office (maybe you have a friend that can refer you to a good one?) and set up an appointment. At the first appointment, they usually don't do anything -- just have a look and a chat, maybe an x-ray and talk with you about what kind of work you need.

That would be the first step -- then you and your dentist can talk about financing if you need it, but really, you should make the appointment.

You can do it! Be brave and think about how great your smile is going to be once you get your problems fixed!

If I can do it, anyone can...

[jamesy]

Hi Morgan



Everything Katie said is absolutely true. Dentists have seen it all; please don't be ashamed to go. That first visit will be more like a consult. They will chat with you and discuss what work needs to be done. Once you have a professional assessment and know where you stand, hopefully the next steps will be easier for you.

Please let us know how you get on.

-James

[morgan]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND REPLY,I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE OR IF IT CAN BE DONE TO REPLACE MY THREE FRONT TEETH WITH OUT ME HAVEING TO BE WITH OUT FOR ANY LENTH OF TIME, I NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK IM VERY SCARED THIS WILL NOT WORK OUT I JUST WANT MY LIFE BACK.THANKS AGAIN

[Katie]

Morgan --

Hi, again! I understand your concern about going without teeth, especially in a work situation. The dentist can sit down with you and tell you exactly what to expect.

I don't know much about getting teeth replaced (maybe someone else here can help you?), but I do know that these days they have all sorts of things like temporary bridges, etc. I know my aunt has an upper denture for the whole top of her mouth, and she didn't have to go without teeth at all!

It's probably impossible to know until you go in for a consultation. The trouble is that usually if problems go untreated, they just end up getting worse -- so that might be something to consider. Also, if you go to the consultation and get too scared of the work, or if the dentist tells you you have to be without teeth for a period of time, you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. It's your decision, and you won't be any worse off than you are now. But if he/she tells you it can be fixed, then yay!

We're all here for you! Keep us posted!

[letsconnect]

morgan said:

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE OR IF IT CAN BE DONE TO REPLACE MY THREE FRONT TEETH WITH OUT ME HAVEING TO BE WITH OUT FOR ANY LENTH OF TIME,

It is almost always possible to get an immediate partial denture, if indeed this is what you would need. There can be some rare exceptions where it's advisable to let the area heal first, but it's highly likely that you wouldn't need to go "toothless" .

[Nicole]

Hello Morgan...
First, go see a dentist. They have seen everything and I do mean everything. I know shame plays a huge role here so I want you to know that you are one in a million who has not seen a dentist in a while and they are not going to make you feel bad if they are a good caring dentist. I had to have all of my molars removed, root canals on all of my front teeth, I was a mess too! I'm healthy now.. A little broke but I can smile!
You will be amazed at what they can do! I had teeth I thought for sure they would have to remove, they did post core buildups and saved them. Plus, if they can't fix them and if they do need to be pulled there are many options for you. Flippers, immediate partials, bonding replacement teeth to existing ones for added support and asthetics... Really, I went from being a girl who couldn't smile to a girl who can't stop.

Check out my pictures at

www.freewebs.com/rbrady77/pictures.htm

The second group of pictures shows you my half smile, my half smile with hope of getting work done, my first photo in years showing teeth in the lower left, (these were with temp crowns and the color was a little more yellow than I liked. The bottom pictures take you through second set of temp crowns, then to beautiful crowns! I smile so much now I can't stop!

My best to you!

Check out my dental page for information on how to save money and to get the help you need as well!

Nicole