Solid food on hold - indefinitely?

[FatJuicyMouse 1]

So. The bridge on my right side was hurting and my partial plate on my left side hurt to much to chew with. Went to the dentist today and found the bone around the teeth holding the bridge has deteriorated so much that they need to be pulled. Since the incisor on that side is already missing, that would leave only the front three teeth on the top on that side. I only have one molar on the bottom left and that is where my partial plate attaches. This tooth is too weak to support the denture without putting it at risk. The other side of the partial attaches to the bottom right molars who need crowns and make that partial not fit right - which is why it hurts to wear it.

The tooth extractions and root canals start in two weeks. I can't get a implant to hold a partial plate to replace the bridge until the sockets heal. That takes months. So my chewing surface will consist of one set of molars, one of which is under strain as it is.

The closest I have come to solid food was a bite of a sausage patty and the hamburger in a Wendy's chili. And here I was thinking this morning I had bought too much Protein Powder and it would last forever!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Wow , what are they going to do for you? you need teeth!

[FatJuicyMouse 1]

I am sitting here trying to decipher my treatment plan. I know my bridge hurts enough just from them poking around it today I am going to let them pull those two teeth in two weeks while they do the root canal on that side. Then I go in two weeks later to do the other side. After I get those teeth pulled, I might be able to make my old partial work without putting too much strain on the two molars he wants to put crowns on. Once he does put the crowns on, it won't work any more. But since he told me that the tooth on the other side the partial attaches to is weakened, I am now afraid to put it in there! Maybe I can stick it in there long enough to eat something and then yank it right back out. I don't remember how long I have to wait to put the implant in but I know it has to heal before they put a partial plate on it. So the tooth extraction has to heal before I can get the post they put the teeth on and the post has to heal before you can put teeth on it! He told me I could put individual implants for each tooth so I won't need dentures. For $3000 a tooth. I dipped heavily into a retirement account to get my surgery and now I will have to wipe it out to take care of my teeth and it will only cover half the costs! It's hell not having insurance!!

Good thing I LIKE tuna and chicken salad! (but for how long??)

[Jordien 30]

Oh NO!!! That's horrible. So sorry you have to go through all of this and wish for you that it's over fast!!

[FatJuicyMouse 1]

Thanks, Jordien! (Jordie N? Please correct me!)

I am trying to decide if I should attempt some kind of solid food for two weeks and then go back to liquids after I get my teeth pulled. I don't think I am gonna want to chew anything at all for at least a week after that! (just how long can you live on a purely liquid diet, anyway?)

It's funny, my mom had all her own teeth when she died and my dad's dentist had been working a decade on pulling his teeth and putting in dentures before he died. I got his cowlicks, funny looking pinky toes, and inability to suffer fools gladly. Guess I got his teeth, too!

[juliarh 35]

I am soooo sorry this has happened to you! What bad timing -- teeth problems rank right up there in things you want to avoid -- so I'm sooo sorry. I'm sending out good thoughts and vibes!

[JaalaAnn 0]

I applaud you FatJuicyMouse! Kudos!!! I worked in the dental field as a hygienist and a dental technician for 25 years and have seen lots of patients go through what you are doing. I am so proud of you, that you are investing so much time, effort and finances into reconstructing your teeth. Just try to be patient, the waiting parts are never easy, but hang in there and before you know it you will be back in business with a good set of teeth. It will be a boon to your digestion and health to be able to chew your food as well as is needed for bariatric patients.I wish you the best of luck and hope you post your progress .

JaalaAnn

[AutumnLily 77]

Will you have to blend your food so that you get more variety for the time being? I feel for you and all that you are going through, but investing in the health of your mouth is just as important as investing in the health of the rest of your body. I am sending my prays to you.

Lily

[Maddie 9]

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I totally understand. I was on blood pressure meds for many years that caused dry mouth. The result was cracking of the enamal of my teeth. I had several pulled and got partials about 7 yrs ago. But 7 weeks ago, I had ALL of the rest of my teeth pulled and got upper and lower dentures. It sucks ass. I can't get the implants to hold in the lower till I am 6 months out. So everytime I try to chew, the bottom pops loose. UGH So, my diet is very limited.

As difficult as it is to go through this,be thankful that you have teeth that can be saved.

I wish you the best of luck.

[myrori 55]

As your dentist about a flipper. I was able to wear it with in 2 weeks of my extraction. It is simlar to dentures but covers the pallet of your mouth to be held in. I had to have my cut down extreemly to be comfortable but it works well with dental adisive and helps with chewing. It is a less expensive temp fix and looks like you have real teeth in the mean time! When my issurance kicks back in neck year I will get a permant fix.

[FatJuicyMouse 1]

Thanks for your words of encouragement, fellers!

I never heard of a flipper! How much do those run? Funny the dentist never mentioned that even knowing I would have to wait months to get teeth to put on the post in my mouth. Do you keep it in all day long or just when you eat?

My implant was supposed to be today but I had to cancel since I am just now getting some lab bills from testing for my surgery so I can't afford it now. Maybe if I get a good tax refund next year...

[myrori 55]

Thanks for your words of encouragement, fellers!

I never heard of a flipper! How much do those run? Funny the dentist never mentioned that even knowing I would have to wait months to get teeth to put on the post in my mouth. Do you keep it in all day long or just when you eat?

My implant was supposed to be today but I had to cancel since I am just now getting some lab bills from testing for my surgery so I can't afford it now. Maybe if I get a good tax refund next year...

My flipper ran 300 cash. Always ask what the cash price is, may places have better prices they can give you. There are 2 types of flippers. One is a hard denture like material and the other is a flexible plastic flipper. I recommend the soft for comfort. I keep mine in all day and at bed time I take it out and soak it. It has worked well for chewing with the addition of polident adhesive. Best of luck to you!