Deciding to have all of your teeth removed and get fitted for dentures can be a tough decision. After all, once you’ve committed to the treatment plan, there’s no going back. While every person is unique and has differing opinions, there are several factors to consider before making your final determination about the future of your dental care.
The Condition of Your Remaining Teeth
If your remaining teeth are in good condition, it may make more sense to be fitted with bridges, implants or partial dentures to replace those that are missing. If your teeth are soft or very damaged, there may be little you can do to save them. This is especially true if previous root canals, crowns, bonding or veneers have failed. If you’re unsure about the state of your remaining teeth, don’t hesitate to get a few opinions before making your final decision.
Your Feelings About Your Teeth
Some people will go to extraordinary lengths, including large expenditures of both time and money, to save every last tooth. Others are more pragmatic and will simply have a tooth pulled if it’s heavily damaged, especially concerning molars. If you are not emotionally invested in saving your natural teeth, you may find the transition to dentures to be easier than it would be for someone who views their natural teeth as an integral part of their appearance.
Your Future Plans
There’s no denying that restoring badly damaged, or decayed natural teeth can require a large time commitment, often consisting of multiple visits and a large outlay of money. If you are constantly traveling, have active hobbies or are otherwise strapped for time, extensive restoration work may not be right for you. While it is true that removing all of your remaining teeth and having dentures fitted will require a time commitment, once it’s done, it’s done for quite a while. It’s not at all unusual for a denture wearer to be perfectly happy with their dentures for five years or more before requiring an adjustment or replacement.
Your Emotional Tolerance for Dental Work
If you are the type of person who needs laughing gas to get a cleaning or breaks out into uncontrollable fear-shakes the second the drill turns on, extensive restoration work may be too emotionally taxing for you. If you have no such phobia, dentures may be premature, especially if you want to retain your natural teeth for a longer time period. Don’t feel pressured one way or the other. You and only you can make the final decision about your tolerance for it.
Deciding to get dentures is a big step, and it’s crucial to time it correctly. By considering all of these factors, you are better equipped to make the right decision for yourself. For more information about your options on dentures, schedule a consultation at Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry, with offices in Champions Gate and Winter Haven. Our dental team is committed to making patients smile again. Contact us today to book your appointment.
