At the time of my visit, I had eight teeth remaining, with only the two upper teeth to be extracted. I had been wearing partials and bridges for 17 years. The price schedule the assistant put in my lap showed extractions at $75 each. I was charged $105 for each one, and not told of the inflated price until after surgery. Dr. ** made the dollar amount out of whole cloth. This is bait and switch.
Full or partial dentures consist of a gum-colored base made of plastic resin, which fits over the remaining alveolar (bone) ridge that formerly held the teeth. The prosthetic teeth projecting from the base are designed to look and function just like your natural teeth. Dentures are held in place primarily by the suctioning effect of their close fit against the alveolar ridges — that's why it's so important that they are fitted properly. The upper denture also gets extra support from the large surface area of the roof of the mouth (palate), which generally makes it extremely stable.
The lower partial was three times the size it needed to be. It wouldn't fit into my jaw, particularly the right side. Dr. ** continued to tell me my mouth would "adjust" to a denture so big that my tongue wouldn't lay flat. I could not chew, couldn't talk, and couldn't get the partial into my jaw. The week after this bizarre act of dental malpractice, I called for an appointment to have the lowers decreased. I was told that no one could come back until two weeks post-op; even those of us who had no gum swelling, and who had paid for The Package.
Another consideration is to travel overseas to countries where the cost of professional treatments like this are a lot lower. Often known as health tourism, India, Turkey, Poland, Costa Rica and Mexico are all options. However, there are risks attached to this and you should complete detailed research before taking such trips. In many circumstances thousands can be saved on the most complex dental treatments.
You always have a choice when it comes to your health. If you are missing teeth and wondering what your options are, talk to your dentist about Ultaire™ AKP removable partial dentures. Metal partials can be uncomfortable and can wreak havoc on the oral environment. Plus, who wants metal ruining their smile? The shiny metal clasps can be distracting and have been known to cause damage to remaining teeth, and possibly further tooth loss. Now you have another option: Ultaire™ AKP.
Powder application. Sprinkle a thin, uniform layer throughout the tissue-bearing surface of the denture. Shake off excess powder and press the denture into place. Powders may be preferred over pastes because they are easier to clean off the denture and tissue. In addition, they don't have the same tendency as pastes do to "shim" (keep the denture away from the tissue).
Conventional full dentures are used to replace a full set of teeth either on the upper or lower jaw. When all of the patient’s natural teeth have been removed and the gum tissues have healed, conventional full dentures may be placed in the mouth. In between, the patient may be fitted with an immediate denture that can be inserted on the same day the teeth are extracted. Using immediate full dentures is beneficial for the patient because this means that he does not have to go without teeth for a certain period. Readjustment of the dentures will have to be made after several months because the supporting bone will reshape as it heals and this will cause the denture to loosen.
Removable complete denture. This denture sits on top of the gums where the missing teeth were. It can be uncomfortable, affect your ability to experience the full taste of food, cause sore gums, and shift and click in your mouth when you speak, eat, smile, yawn or cough. While the initial costs are low, they only last an average of 7 to 15 years, and the replacement costs can be significant over the long term. They need to be removed regularly for cleaning, which can be a time-consuming hassle. Also, as with a partial denture, the natural bone underneath a complete denture may deteriorate over time, permanently changing the appearance of your smile and face.
