Partial v. Dentures?

[MaryKay]

I have 2, maybe 3, upper right back teeth that need to come out. They are loose and I have bone loss so implants are not an option. I can't afford them, anyway. I'm 73 and all of a sudden, my teeth are giving me problems. I had an abscessed gum in May where the teeth need removed but I was a coward (horrible dentists in the past) and didn't get them pulled. Now, the infection is back and I need to see my dentist next week for another round of penicillin and talk to him about my options. He told me in May I could get a partial but I'm wondering if I might be due to have more teeth pulled in the near future. I have broken and fractured teeth (all uppers) and my one front tooth is nothing but filling. It's been ground down so much that there isn't any tooth left for a crown.

I'd appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

 

[MattKW]

Hard to say. Your dentist is in the best position to assess the history of your teeth, and the prognoses for the remaining teeth. Acrylic (plastic) partial dentures can usually be altered if further teeth are lost later; nylon ("Valplast") and metal (CrCo) partial dentures can't be altered if any further teeth are lost.

 

[MaryKay]

Hard to say. Your dentist is in the best position to assess the history of your teeth, and the prognoses for the remaining teeth. Acrylic (plastic) partial dentures can usually be altered if further teeth are lost later; nylon ("Valplast") and metal (CrCo) partial dentures can't be altered if any further teeth are lost.

Thanks for the info. It's so weird because all the swelling of my gum is gone. I'll still be calling my dentist tomorrow.