Are new dentures worth the effort?

AConcernedSon

Dad lost his upper denture. Didn't want to see dentist. Should I keep trying or do others find this is a lost cause? Would love your experiences/thoughts.

SusanB-dil

I think it would depend on what stage he is in.  If he isn't interested, but is getting along fine without them, then I wouldn't worry about it.  If he is having difficulty and seems to need them, then maybe talk him into going to dentist.  Perhaps the dentist may even have the molds used for the original?

grandmother, in the 1970's, got to the point that it was a battle to get her to even use them, and then another battle to remove them to clean.  It wasn't worth it.   soft food, pureed... everyone was less agitated.  

Lindsay22

My mom is solidly stage 6 and I can hardly get her to put her teeth in anymore.  I honestly dread a dental issue at this stage (she only has a partial) because I cannot imagine how it would even be possible to take her to a dentist.  If he's managing fine I say don't worry about it.

AConcernedSon

Funny, I asked if they could make a new upper (it's a partial) from his old mold and they said it likely changed since then. He doesn't miss them. His nurses say he eats okay and so far weight hasn't dropped. And if he lost them before, he'll probably lose them again. I wish there was a simpler solution as it seems this is a pretty common issue.

Rescue mom

Several members in my IRL support groups talk about this, FWIW. They all got their LOs with dementia new dentures, and the LO would not use them, could not clean them, lost them,etc etc.   These women said it wasn’t worth it. 

The husbands could eat ok or get nutrition without them.. A couple ladies were quite concerned about his appearance, but still no good answer, once the PWD can’t or won’t use them.

What Susan b said about her grandmother seemed to be basically it.

SusanB-dil

kind'a odd about the mold and the fact that things may have changed... The mouth can change, but he was using the dentures from that mold prior to the loss.   Meanwhile, he is getting along fine without, then probably no reason to push the issue.  and true, they may or may not be lost again, the possibility is there.  ah - and since it is only a partial, he is probably fine without.  (i have a partial on one side (bottom), most of the time i just don't bother with it, either - not a problem)

AConcernedSon

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate you taking the time and sharing your personal experience. As a son, I think I just want to make sure I'm making the best decisions for him.

AConcernedSon

Thanks for the reply. I think I just needed to hear it from other people that the benefits aren't worth the struggle it would be. Thanks again--some days it feels like I'm trying to figure everything out on my own, then I jump on here and it's like...oh yeah, I'm NOT the first person in the world to have to figure this stuff out!