Completely Frustrated

[thefrogprincess]

I did a search desperately hoping to find a dentist who will be willing to do what I want with my teeth (which is get rid of them). I found a guy who I have some hopes for in Seattle. I don't went to get too excited though. None of the dentists I have been to in the last 10 years have believed me when I try to tell them how bad things are in my mouth. I am beyond frustrated and heading straight for depressed over this. Why are all dentists bent onn saving teeth that aren't worth saving?

 

[NoExcuses]

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[kybert]

why do you want to get rid of your teeth?

 

[Scarlett81]

I was wondering why you want to remove your teeth too. I guess I'm not aware of your situation.

 

[thefrogprincess]

My FEV1 is has been around 60 for about a year.

*Sigh* My teeth....when I was a kid my CF center never tested vitamin levels, or even stressed the importance of vitamins. I took a multivit but as you know that is usually not enough fo us. As a result I lacked a lot of important minerals for bone/teeth health so now my teeth are weak. One dentist said the back ones are brittle and the front ones are soft. So I get cavities like no other, they also tend to break. I stopped counting fillings at 42 (that was 7 years ago, I have multiple fillings in most of my teeth). I am so frustrated that I can't find anyone to help me. I am in constant pain from TMJ syndrome because they don't fit together properly so my jaw cannot get into a natural possition. I'm just done. If it wasn't for my upcoming wedding I wouldn't care if they just fell out.

 

[Scarlett81]

I have a question/suggestion, and it may be totally off the page from what you want. But have you considered gettting veneers? Maybe the dentists don't want to see a 24 yr old pull all her teeth out, or maybe some of them want you to keep coming so they can fix all the problems-I'm not saying all dentists are like that of course. I've met one or two crooks in my time though.

Veneers would maybe solve the problem. Yes, they are costly. But I'm sure they're possible. And you won't have to worry about cavities either that way.

Just a thought.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I'm in the same boat as you Jessi - I desperatly want to get all my teeth pulled and have implants put in. My teeth are so weak, so chalky - I've had numerous fillings, some caps, all my wisdom teeth have been pulled because they broke, and all my teeth chip. I hate my teeth, but its so expensive to do anything with them.

 

[EnergyGal]

This is just my opinion and whatever I say can be totally off.

I would<b> never</b> pull out teeth. I do not think it will solve your TMJ problem and there <b>is</b> a possibility to get your teeth stronger.

If your bones are weak there are ways to strengthen them. start taking better supplements and seek at other alternatives for your teeth.

I hope your fillings are mercury free. I know that dentists today use non amalgam fillings.

I had my fillings replaced a few years ago.

I had one absess and it leaked (so I had no pain). I found out through an xray and if I did not have the xray my tooth could have infected my body.

I would have a series of xrays and go to a great dentist that comes highly recommended.

If you do not like smiling with your mouth opened smile with your mouth closed. You are still smiling. Or you can smile with a half smile. I am only saying this if you do not like your teeth.

 

[anonymous]

With your FEV1 at that level, I can understand your dentist not wanting to pull your teeth. Removing them would likely require general anesthesia or twilight sleep and he's probably worried about the risk of putting you under.

I had 8 teeth pulled several years ago in order to make room in my mouth for braces. My doctor and my dentist were both very concerned about the anesthesia. I did okay, but not great.

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>thefrogprincess</b></i>

My FEV1 is has been around 60 for about a year.


.</end quote></div>


have you ever wondered why you haven't been on IV's? i know this isn't part of your thread, but it's part of your sig.

i'm shocked that your doc has let your pft's drop to 60% at age 24 without ever being on IV's.

just a genuine concern for a fellow CFer. it just doesn't make sense to celebrate never being on IV's, but you have FEV1's of 60%.

i'm not meaning to be intrusive, but genuinly concerned and curious.

 

[julie]

Froggy, are you telling me you want dentures? Or posts???

Are you completely against a root canal with crowns?

My front tooth is a crown, I had a root canal about 9ish years ago. I am VERY happy with it. It was done by a dentist in Lynnwood. I have his contact info if you would consider crowns and a root canal, he is awesome. I can also send you a picture of my teeth, you CANNOT even tell there is a crown there.

 

[Scarlett81]

Yes, I can see now why the dentist wouldn't want to put you under with those PFts. I also agree with the anons post, if you are in the 60s, why not do IVs? It can't hurt. Ok, maybe for 1 minute while they put it in...

Sorry, I don't mean at all to change the subject. Just concerned as well for you. Who knows? Trying IVs can open up a whole new door for you!

I also wanted to add about veneers, you can contact Operation Smile. They offer dental work to people with diseases and financial problems. I think its hard to qualify, but you could see if there is a branch by you. I still suspect that they wouldn't fix it with PFTs in that range though.

I hope you get some help.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[Seana30]

I had undiagnosed acid reflux for many years. Due to this the acid ate away at my teeth. My teeth are now a MESS.

They break all the time and I get cavities like crazy.

I would LOVE to get veeners, but DO YOU GUYS REALIZE HOW MUCH THEY COST?!?!?! THEY ARE SOOOO EXPENSIVE.

Jessi, I too am ready to just get them all pulled. I am 33 years old and I am sure I will have problems finding a dentist that will do it, but unless they are willing to fork out the cost for veeners, it is my only choice.

I recently had 4 back teeth pulled by an oral surgeon, and that alone was $1400.00.

Hope you find a dentist to help you!

Seana

 

[Scarlett81]

I know veneers are a buttload of money. But I've also heard of organizations, to mention only one like Operation Smile, that help with the cost of repairs and such if it due to health problems.

 

[kybert]

someone correct me if i am wrong but wouldnt getting teeth pulled and having implants cost just as much as having veneers and/or root canals? anyway, perhaps you should make an appointment with an oral SURGEON to get their opinion. but personally, i wouldnt get them pulled. the dentists you have seen obviously think they are worth saving.

p.s. i find it really odd that you havent been on iv's either.

 

[Seana30]

Kylie,

There is a HUGE price difference between have your teeth pulled and getting veneers. Veneers can cost you up to $10,000 or more.

Have your teeth pulled and having either dentures or partial will run you around $2000 to $4000.

Seana

 

[kybert]

ah righty, thanks. whats partial? is that like getting implants in the back and then having a plate with fake teeth on it in between?

 

[thefrogprincess]

I guess you cannot truly understand where I'm at if you haven't been there yourself. I will not do another root canal. I had one when I was 17 and I was in so much pain for three days (my jaw, not the tooth) that I couldn't open my mouth or eat solid food. About 6 months later the tooth broke in half anyway and I had to have it removed. The fact is that a root canal doesn't make your tooth stronger, it can actually weaken it because you don't have normal blood flow and therefore nutrients getting to it. When your teeth are as weak as mine are anyway you can't take that chance.

Getting implants would fix my TMJ because the cause of it is my teeth not fitting together properly because of all the fillings. No matter how hard they try when you've had as many fillings as I have the dentists cannot make your teeth fit together anymore. With implants they could place them properly so my jaw could rest where it is supposed to.

About my FEV1 and IVs...I don't culture anything bad enough to warrent it. I actually expect my FEV1 to be higher at my next appointment because I have been much better about excersising and I started HTS, which I think in my case works better than pulmozyme. I am not willing to take the chance on developing resistance to antibiotics when cipro, or levequin and TOBI can handle the bugs I culture. I have done 2 courses of TOBI and an oral antibiotic in the last year and both times brought up my numbers quite a bit. Part of the reason they are at 60 is that I used to be a religous athlete and had to tone it down a lot after an injury. But I have recently discovered my bicycle again and I am feeling great.

 

[NoExcuses]

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[anonymous]

i agree with amy. its just a thought.