Dentures Panic

Debz1966

Hello

I've had bad teeth for years and now they are very much biting the dust ( excuse the pun). I've had a few just fall out due to my gums receeding due to ulcers and infections due to illness. Bottom line is I went to see a dentist about 18 months ago and he said I needed alot out and that I needed dentures, then he said that I would need to go to hospital for the extractions and then walk back to him to fit a temporary set....... thats when I freaked. I am very scared of dentists and it took me years to get to see him, I took 15mg of diazepam to chill me out so my son could drive me. So I didnt go back... bad I know.

Now my daughter is getting married and more than anything I am having trouble eating and I have some bad loose ones, I really need to get them done and would love to get them done for the wedding in May..... is this unrealistic on the NHS? I am on benefits but do have some funds to pay for any dentures if i really have to...

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Debz

InsideInsurance

You'd probably be better posting in the Health section rather than Insurance.

It will very much vary by area and what the NHS waiting lists are. I know someone who's having to have a surgical extraction and they were referred at the beginning of Jan, their consultation is beginning of Feb and the time of booking they were looking at doing the actual procedure in April. They did look at private for the extraction to get it faster but it was several thousand.

The key will be trying to get things booked as quickly as possible rather than waiting for one appointment to book the next but if they will allow you to do this is another matter.

easilyparted

Your first step is to get your teeth out. Normally a regular dentist would do this but if there are some complications you would be referred to a hospital for the extractions. If a hospital visit is essential it would be necessary to book it soon so ask for a referral ASAP. After the extractions dentures could be made in a couple of weeks. Best to go to a clinical dental technician for dentures- quicker, cheaper, and better.

brook2jack

Clinical dental technicians cannot make dentures on the nhs. Op is on benefits so cheaper to get it done with a dentist.

easilyparted

Is anyone making dentures on the NHS?

Toothsmith

A dentist with an NHS contract should.

easilyparted

Do you ?????????????

cavework

Ask your dentist to take the mould for your new teeth prior to extraction. The new dentures should then be ready immediately after your teeth are removed.
You can usually wear them straight after extraction
I would advise that you get the first set (temporary dentures) on the NHS as your gums will shrink a lot for the first 8-10 months after extraction.
You will feel and look a whole lot better once these problem teeth have been removed but be advised the new dentures do take a bit of getting used to and they may need relining a couple of times in the first few months.
This can be done while you wait or at least within a couple of hours.
You should not require fixative (don't be fobbed off about this) and as you have some money spare I would suggest working with a private clinical dental technician once you have your temporary NHS dentures as he can do the relines and eventually supply you with dentures that fit perfectly .

brook2jack

There are three stages to making a denture before you even get to a fit, so unfortunately it's not just taking an impression just before extractions.

Immediate dentures very often require fixative particularly if there are multiple teeth coming out as it is pure guess work as to what shape the gums will be after and they will change shape.

Tooth smith does not do any NHS work but every dentist I know who does NHS work will make dentures.

cavework

Well that's what my NHS dentist did.. removed all top teeth afterwards immediately fitted dentures.
Kept dentures in for 48 hours as swelling reduced
Went back a couple of times to get alterations to the gum lines as gums stopped swelling then went to clinical dental technician for relines as the gums shrank and NHS teeth became looser.
CDT would not consider making me a perm set until he was sure gums had shrunk enough but he was brilliant in relining the NHS ones until I was ready.
Surely NHS dentists just send the denture work to dental technicians, they don't make the dentures themselves?
or am I wrong?

brook2jack

Yes but if you are removing a few teeth you need to take impressions, then impressions in a special tray and take a wax bite, then try what teeth you can in , then fit the dentures. Yes immediate dentures are fitted when the teeth are taken out but you have to go through the other stages first.

Op is on benefits so nhs dentures and adjustments will be free of charge. The lab does the lab work and the dentist the clinical work in most nhs practices.