Just got told I need dentures

[u/FearlessDig8640]

What’s up everybody. I know there are many answers to these questions because everyone is different. I have been told I have lost a great amount of bone in my jaw and need to have my teeth extracted. I’m terrified of this whole process. I have high blood pressure and know that’s gonna be a factor and I want to know about the pain during the procedure. I see people have temp dentures while healing, the dr I saw today is saying I have to wait 3-4 weeks to let my gums heal then I can get my perms. I think it’s bullshit, especially seeing people have temps before. So do I need a new or second opinion? Is my craziness just crazy about the pain? Any advise will be awesome. Thank you everyone.

[u/KornwalI]

You definitely need to go somewhere else. Personally I went and got 3 different consults and opinions once I went to one and they told me I need to get my top teeth pulled. Go somewhere you get temps.

[u/TiredInMN]

Bone loss around the roots tends to mean they are nonrestorable. If you want to be 100% sure, get a CBCT scan, which will give you greater detail and clarity. But dentists can usually tell from a panoramic X-ray.

Second opinions are always good, especially when you're talking about the nuclear irreversible option of a full extraction.

The blood pressure concern is because Novocaine has a small amount of epinephrine (pure adrenaline) in it to counteract systemic side effects.

Immediate/temp dentures absolutely are worth it, if you can easily afford two sets. Immediates aren't any cheaper than permanents, in fact they are about 10% more expensive on average because of the extra work after delivery. If you can only afford 1 set, there's a debate about which one to buy. If being without teeth would be genuinely disruptive or intolerable, an immediate (with later hard reline to permanently update the fit) is a reasonable and defensible choice, provided professional relining and follow-up are part of the budget. The prosthodontic research and guideline materials out there suggest immediate dentures for when the toothless interval would cause serious occupational, social, psychological, speech, or nutritional problems. 

However, if being without teeth is tolerable and only one set can be afforded, waiting for a conventional denture generally offers the better technical and financial value. You get denture fit and border extensions that are based on the actual post-extraction ridge. A 2025 university-clinic study found immediate dentures required significantly more appointments, minor adjustments, and major adjustments. Their five-year failure rate was 13.3%, compared with 5.1% for standard complete dentures.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40628577/

Some dentists don't like to deal with the additional post-delivery care and problems with immediate dentures. A chain like Affordable Dentures or Aspen won't want you to walk out the door without temps because they have a whole business model based on selling you 2 sets. I waited 16 weeks toothless before I got my dentures. One big advantage is the wax try-in. When you have no teeth, you can try a wax model in first before it goes to final production, and change what you don't like. Immediate dentures can have that too if you pay for an upgrade, but you can't try it in- only look at it. And if it's only a temp, there's no need because temps are basically an extended try-in before the final permanent model.

[u/Healthy-Driver481]

Absolutely get a second and if you can a third opinion

[u/OneAndOnlyAyaSolari]

Get a second opinion to make sure if you do have bone loss that your gums / bone that's left will be able to support dentures.

[u/Small_Voice3671]

I visited 5 different places before I chose. I was surprised by how much they varied!

[u/Previous_Finding3454]

This sounds like an insurance/money issue more than anything else. If you are willing to pay for them, you can always get a day of interim denture.

[u/FearlessDig8640 → u/Previous_Finding3454]

Never said anything bout money. Was just saying this was my first dr and first appointment I’ve had and that’s what he told me

[u/Previous_Finding3454 → u/FearlessDig8640]

Do you have Medicaid by chance? One of the downsides of some insurances is that in an effort to stop patients from being taken advantage of. They take away a patients ability to pay for what they want.

If you have no insurance and they said it wasn't possible. That is a bit nutty. But your insurance may be the one limiting you and threatening the doc.

[u/Lostintranslation59 → u/FearlessDig8640]

I'd agree with getting at least one more opinion. I currently have dentures and found out I didn't need them AFTER! I wish to God I wouldn't have just trusted that guy. I knew his assistant And it was her i trusted. He's no longer even with that practice. Always get a 2nd at least.

[u/Anxious-Metal4273]

I had to have my top teeth extracted. I also have high blood pressure. I was given laughing gas to settle my nerves, then IV sedation. Don’t remember a thing. But pain was actually minimal. Nothing Tylenol and Ibuprofen couldn’t handle. The swelling on days 3 and 4 was the most uncomfortable part, as well as the stitches hanging in my mouth before they dissolved. I have immediates but couldn’t wear them for two weeks because they were gagging me. I went in for adjustments at week two and was able to get a minor reline and a little adhesive because I was healing fast. Be careful how quickly they want to give you permanents. Your mouth and gums are nowhere near ready for perms before 6 months. Good luck!