dentures

[hotlips1]

I am going into Hospital to have 10 teeth extracted shortly. This is in preparation for heart surgery. I am having aortic valve replacement. I am 48 years old and female. Nobody, I mean my dentist and the Hospital dentists have even mentioned the prospect of dentures. All the teeth being extracted are at the back and bottom,front and partial sides intact. I know I'm going to find it hard earting at first, painful, I'm going to lose weight etc. Does anyone think I'll be able to have dentures and roughly how long after etc ? How do I broach the subject and who do I discuss this with ?

[alijangra]

This is definitely one for your dentist. At the forefront of their mind is getting rid of your rotten teeth because this can cause infection problems with your heart, particularly the valves, in the form of infective endocarditis, from the bacteria getting into the blood stream. Im sorry I dont know how long you would have to wait but Im assuming your gums would have to be healed and any swelling gone before they can take impressions. Just ask about it, you are entitled to.

[ethandron]

ask your dentist, and the hospital dentist. it certainly used to be the case that dentures were fitted immediately, or almost immediately, so that as the gums heal, they heal to accommodate the dentures and get a good fit. things may be different these days though.
as to how you broach the subject, it's your teeth and your smile and very important for your self-esteem and confidence, so just ask. i'm very surprised no-one has discussed this with you already. ask, ask and ask again, until you're completely happy and understand the whys and wherefores.
good luck with the dentistry and heart surgery.

[hotlips1]

Many thanks for answer. I did know about infection problems etc. I feel more reassured now.

[hotlips1]

Many thanks. From what I can gather they don't fit dentures until the gums have healed and shrunk back.

[MrXLA]

Hello hotlips1,
Just to clear a few things up, the 'hospital dentist' is probably and oral surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and whilst he/she holds a dental degree its usually not there remit to provide dentures post-operatively.
That said depending on the oppinion of the referring dentist as to whether you will be able to chew sufficiently following removal of teeth, sometimes an immediate denture is constructed.
However this denture or dentures usually do not fit well because the technician has to make an educated guess about the shape and size of the ridge once teeth have been removed. 'Gums' also heal and 'shrink' rather rapidly for the first three months following tooth removal giving you two main options:
1) Wait 3 months (at least!) before having dentures conctructed
2) Have immediate dentures made and 3 months later the dentures will need either a re-line or to be re-made
With option 2) be aware dentures made like this don't fit terribly well initially due to swelling and then progressively become more loose as the tissues heal and 'shrink'.

Hope this is of some hellp to you, take care

[hotlips1]

Thanks for your reply. I think I knew in my heart of hearts all of what you said. Teeth were extracted yesterday and went well. When I go back to my dentist I will discuss the prospect of dentures. Luckily in one way it was all back teeth extracted but will de difficult to eat. Never mind, I'll lose some weight! I've now how the last part of my treatment in the run up to my aortic heart valve replacement in the near future. Many thanks to everyone for their welcome comments.

[bigmamma]

Just wishing you well hotlips 1.Hope you are able to eat properly again soon.Keep us informed of when you are to have your valve replacement so we can be thinking of you.