Any experiences of dental reconstruction denture/implants post surgery?

Hi Cathy

I had a partial mandibulectomy in 2013 resulting in all the teeth on my lower right jaw and part of my jaw being removed. This left the area very flat with no gum. As a result I could not eat on that side. I had a partial denture made to replace these teeth but the only place that it could be attached was with a clip on one of my front bottom teeth so it was quite unstable. I did not find it helped with eating as whenever I tried the denture would displace. I did not think at the time to try something like Pollident  adhesive which is used with normal dentures to help secure them and think it would have gone better if I had tried that. I gave up on the denture in the end as I had to take it out every time I wanted to eat as it dislodged. However at that time I had all the teeth on the other side of my mouth so managed eating normally using them.

Do try something like Pollident denture adhesive if you find your denture unstable.

I could not have implants as I had radiotherapy on that side and was warned that it might result in necrosis (death) of the bone so didn’t want to chance that.

Hope your denture is more successful than mine was.

Lyn

Thank you very much for your response. I haven’t tried eating yet, just getting used to it being in my mouth. 

Mine also clips on to one tooth, but it has a metal frame across other teeth for stability. It currently feels quite stable, but it remains to be tested what happens when I eat.

I will certainly give the Pollident a go if it isn’t stable when eating.

At the moment it just feels a bit weird, but it’s very new.

As luck would have it, I have a full set of upper teeth on the side where lower teeth were removed but an absent wisdom tooth and two missing teeth due to a previous abscess on my “good” side, so it would be helpful if the denture works.

Hi Cathy 

It is good to read you have your denture. It can feel strange at first and can take time to get used  to especially if you have managed for quite some time without one.  This is what I found. I was so used to eating and drinking and relying on my good teeth,  and  got used to the way I was post surgery, it became my normal.  When I had my obturator It was like I had to relearn how to do things again with my obturator in. I  have the obturator on my upper jaw so it is a bit different to yours. I use a bit of denture fix to help mine be more stable. I find I only need a bit and just smear it on my metal bit of my obturator and pat it down before placing  it in.

If you have any issues or concerns you can always discuss these with your prosthodontist.

Good luck

Nicky

Thank you for your response. 

I have indeed developed a slightly lopsided way of eating, which actually creates a bit of ache in the jaw, so hopefully I can manage better now.

I wondered in anyone using a denture found it created any soreness or discomfort and if this settled down in time?

Hi Cathy

If you have any soreness or discomfort I would speak to  your specialist. Sometimes things may need a little tweaking. I know this is new for you and something to get used to but I don't think it should be causing you this.  I would check to make sure.

Best wishes 

Nicky

Good evening Cathy, i did have implants and dentures fitted but my lower jaw was reconstructed from a bone from my leg so i had to wait 18 months to make sure the bone graft had taken and was strong enough, i also had a device fitted that stretched the jaw bone ( making it wider) My dentures were fitted mainly for show as eating was not an option for me. Unfortunately, my implants only lasted about 18 months as the body rejected them, which can happen. Most people do have great success with implants/dentures its just i have had a lot of surgery with chemo and radio. I hope all works out ok for you , all the best.

                                                                                                   Chris x

Thank you for your response.

I’m sorry your implants were not a success, but it confirms my reservation about them. Do you still wear the dentures? Are they comfortable?

No Cathy i gave up with the dentures as they were no good for me and it was hard for the restorative dentist to get a good fit but maybe you will have more luck than me. I always think its worth giving something a try as there is nothing to lose but maybe a lot to gain. 

                                            Chris x

Thank you. I’m sorry the dental reconstruction didn’t work out for you but your philosophy of being positive and trying the options is a good one.

To be honest, I was never sure that implants or a denture would work for me, but the fact that a denture required no intervention, just several appointments to do the fittings, made it worth trying.

And I have to give credit to the skill of the restorative dentists in the neat, well-adapted denture produced.

Hi Cathy 

Due to the risk of austioradionecrossis I elected to have all my teeth removed in one go so I could start my treatment...it was not an easy decision but totally necessary...I was offered dental implants but chose in the end to have dentures mainly due to not wanting to go through anymore extensive treatment...it was tricky at first but after around 3 weeks I just got used to

 them...as others have said there is a range of denture creams out there and I have tried them all...I find standard polygrip to be most effective and long lasting....I have no problems eating anything and always enjoy a steak when I can. Good luck whatever you choose

Chas