Need 2nd opinion on work done or in process...

[Rosa]

It's a little long, please bear with me......

I have a 7 year old denture set, excellently made and kept but my gums shrank so decided to reline them. I found a prosthodontist and from day one I haven't been able to eat without serious pain in my gums even with soft food! I complain and he tries, but nothing helps. I paid him in full upfront and got tired of going to him many times without results. I asked him for a refund. He didn't answer and continues trying...without results. He did them over and now the palate feels bulky and heavy, my front teeth show longer and when I talk or laugh I have to stop in the middle to avoid denture lowering!!! This denture feels painful and uncomfortable!

Before this relining, I could at least eat without pain in the gums. When I first went to him I said I wanted to start only by replacing 2 attachments then take it up from there, but he insisted to do it all at one time and he did...at the expense of my mouth health, my nutrition, my time, and my pocket! I feel he's young and inexperienced and not too neat. Makes many mistakes and thank God, he catches himself but it results in sore mouth from too many quick trying the dentures in and out...

My wonderful dentist who did my great denture 7 years ago, retired and went back to NYU College of Dentistry to teach. I went there to see him but the College doesn't fix work done outside. But he managed to examine me, as the student supervisor, with x-rays and the collaboration of faculty prosthodontist and periodontist, and he said all I needed was to replace the 2 attachments.

I know I need a new prosthodontist to see whether this mess can be fixed, or if as a result, I need new ones at exorbitant price...BUT, I'm very afraid to have to go through something similar. I'm devastated and will be most grateful for your opinion!

 

[MattKW]

Any photos of your mouth, and of the inner surface of your denture? Any X-rays? You mention you have attachments, so I assume these are implant-supported dentures?
Just to clarify, there is common confusion about the following areas of dentistry:

1. Prosthodontist - a general dentist who has undergone further training to become a specialist and often deals with complex problems involving crowns, bridges, implants,... Doesn't make dentures themselves but subcontracts out to a dental laboratory technician.
2. Dentist - a general dentist. Doesn't make dentures themselves but subcontracts out to a dental laboratory technician.
3. Prosthetist - a lab technician who is allowed to make dentures directly with the public. They are not allowed to do any alterations to natural teeth.
4. Lab technician - makes dentures, crowns, bridges... for general dentists and prosthodontists to give to their patients..

I think you might be talking about dealing with a prosthetist. If they're not used to attachment dentures, then it could be difficult. You might have to go to another general dentist, or shift up a level to a prosthodontist.

 

[Rosa]

Hello and thank you MattKW, I should've explained more but was afraid to make my post longer.

I have by now 2-month old x-rays of my own teeth (only 8 front lower which my great dentist (who also made my dentures) kept alive by only one entire crown at the same time). I'm not familiar with "photos of your mouth, and of the inner surface of your denture", are these for implants?

I meant the 2 male attachments at each end of my lower partial which clip into my lower teeth receivers. No implants as my gums were (are) too thin and shrinking rapidly.

Also thank you for the well clarified list of the different areas of dentistry!

My dentist wasn't a prosthodontist as far as I knew, but made my great dentures 7 (probably 8 years ago by now) but unfortunately for me, retired to teach at NYU. I must remember the next one must be a little younger to start with...

My present professional who's causing me all this aggravation, is a prosthodontist according to his diplomas on the wall, and whom I chose because I learned prosthodontists make, or at least prepare to make, dentures. He has his own lab in his office in care of his partner (who I don't know whether he's a prosthetist to do lab work).

Now that I have the dental professionals well defined thanks to you, I wonder whether I wouldn't be better off with a prosthetist? I don't know what to do but I stopped going to my prosthodontist and I'm afraid to have anyone now touch my dentures...Oh God what to do...

Thanks so much again!

P.S. Are you a prosthodontist or a prosthetist and in NYC by chance? What shall I do???