We had a patient at the front desk say to me that if she really knew what dentures would be like she never would have gotten them. I felt really bad for her, however she was told the issues ahead of time, and had her mind made up that this is what she wanted.
Dentures can be useful but they create a whole new set of issues that people may not be aware of. There was a time when people chose this method of treatment to replace lost teeth because there were really no other options. Now there are quite a few alternatives that our patients should consider first.
The initial cost of implants or bridges may seem high but you cannot put a price on the ability to chew food, or to keep your facial structure. We have had so many patients tell us that if they would have known what it would be like to have dentures they never would have done it. That they didn't realise there would be so many issues with them.
Bridges and Implants are as close as you can get to having your own teeth, if dentures are the only alternative there are implant supported dentures.
I think that the key is to really make sure that we educate our patients on the pros and cons of dentures so that they are fully aware when they choose that route. Also to let them know that there are potentially a lot of challenges they may have to face.
Dentures can be a great solution for some, but if you were to ask most people that have them most of them would have thought twice before they got them.
Shelley C
Front Office
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