Dentures at 46???

I'm only 46 years old, and two specialists have confirmed that all my teeth need to be removed. They are deeply decayed, and many are abcessing. This is because of a medication which causes dry mouth. I've poured a fortune into my teeth already.

I need advice. I'm in pain and scared to death. I don't want to wear old-people dentures, and I don't want to talk like an old person.

Has anyone young been through this? My self-esteem is hitting an all-time low, thinking of my reflection in the mirror with no teeth.

We can't afford implants all over. The best we can do ($30,000) is overdentures.

TX Mom

Thanks, Jo. I'm kind of (really) overweight and don't feel overly attractive to start with, but having no teeth shoots my self-esteem to zero. Even though I have so many great qualities and lots of folks supporting me...Maybe as I watch the prosthedontist make models of my new smile, I'll calm down.

All of y'all have been so supportive, I wish I could choose you all for best answer.

look there are children born with gum dieases and will eventually have to have dentures by the time they are in their 20's. i know people who have had dentures since they were in their early 20's. you will be the only one who will know that you have them. you can get them custom made however you want them to look like. you can get them made to wear a front tooth has a little chip in them. "very natural looking". you won't look like some old person. dentures are not for just old people. trust me your self-esteem level will go through the roof when you get your pretty white dentures. you'll look sooooo much younger compared to the way that you look now. you won't be disappointed. would you rather wear dentures or walk around with no teeth or black rotten teeth. at least you care enough about yourself to where you want to look your best. i see alot of young people walking around with no teeth and black teeth. you need to give yourself some credit and get the beautiful smile that you deserve. good luck.

A good dentist should be able to make you a good set. Look into finding a dentist that does mini implants. These are smaller implants put in the bone to hold the dentures down. These are much cheaper than full mouth implants but this way you don't have to worry about your denture slipping around and you looking like an old person. Lower dentures are always hard to keep from slipping without mini implants and the mini implants will help you hold onto more of your jaw bone after the teeth are extracted so your dentures will fit better also. Mini implants for dentures is a specific type of implant that is small and cheaper than the implants bars or full size implants used for dentures. I would expect this whole process for implants and dentures top and bottom to be anywhere from $4,000-$6,000 depending on area. I do not know how many teeth you have to extract. They place the implants when they extract the teeth. Normally, you only need 3 mini implants top and 3 bottom.

You know what, don't worry. You know that you did the best you could to take care of your teeth and that is what matters. I know that it will probably be tough to adjust at first, but just think that at least you won't have to be in anymore pain from abcesses and stuff after this. Don't be scared, I am sure everything will be okay. Also if you get a good set, it is likely other people won't even notice. Maybe you could get implants over time...save up or something. Everything will be okay. What matters is that you are doing the best thing for your health right now. Hugs and hang in there! Everything will work out just fine. :-)

p.s. My mom is only slightly older than you and has had dentures since she was in her early 40's! Nobody can even tell, and she doesn't look old at all, nor does she talk like an older person. We forget that she has them unless she mentions them or something. She puts on her biggest smile and most of the time doesn't even think about dentures. :)

You know you have to eat and if dentures is the way to go then do it. I was 23 when I got my dentures and I don't talk funny or like an old person. If you want to keep your good health you will get the new teeth. And don't be ashamed of yourself for doing this for yourself. They make teeth look just like the teeth you had before they rotted out. I'm 55 yrs now and most people don't even know I have them unless I say something. they will put the new teeth right in after they get them. And reline them as needed.

Yeah - I think mini implants would be the way to go for you if you can afford them. They're a lot cheaper than individual implants and a lot less trouble than removable dentures. Try to think positive - once you've had it done, you wont have all the pain of abscesses and decay any more and with the implants, you wont be losing bone so you wont get that caved in look which results from bone loss. Good luck - I'm sure you'll be OK.

Have had to do dentures on a 16 yr old but because of gum desease, not by choice!! Hey good fitting dentures can look great & many function well but never like your natural teeth. Just be glad if you can afford them & make the best of a not so great situation. Have made many for patient less than 46,it ain't the end of the world, spose you had cancer!! DMD here

My mother was 32 when she lost hers.... She had jaw cancer in her teens and it ruined them.....

She wears dentures and they did a really good job on them... if you didnt know , you wouldnt notice. Proper fit is important.

You are a wonderful person with or without teeth.......... I know that this just adds to your low self esteme !!!! But you are a beautiful inside and out weather you see it or not. Trust me other do Deb. You have the warmest heart I have ever met....

But if they are that bad... they need to come out...... bad teeth can have very bad effects on your health... it " poisons" the body.... Good luck.... and remember u will feel so much better when its all over with.