NOT SO FAST!

Maybe I'm not as 'adventurous' as I should be.

What my title means is that you really should start out sort of slow & easy with eating in the beginning of getting your permanent dentures......

that is, if you aren't used to wearing dentures and chewing with them. 

I went from teeth - to no teeth.

My temporary dentures were ZERO help because the bottoms never ever adhered in place.  This is because the abutements (those are the screw tops that go into the actual implant) stood up above my gums.

So, there was no where for the dentures to grasp and hold on to.

The only reason the tops adhered and stayed in place 

is because of the palate piece. 

Speaking of - thank GOD permanent hybrid dentures don't have a palate piece!  That piece gags you and is just so very uncomfortable!  

I just don't know how people deal with it. 

I want a steak really bad.....but I'm not going to eat one until I'm 100% comfortable and chewing with confidence!

So, that's where the 'not so fast' advice to myself comes in.

Admittedly, I'm not 100% happy (right now), 

but you must realize that I'm a person that has to adapt to change over a period of time.  Change has never come easily for me.  Give me a little time and I'm certain I'll return with a more optimistic post!

Right now, here are my 'concerns' (complaints if you will). 

The bottoms are perfect.

However, I didn't realize just how this was going to be. 

A photo, to come shortly, is quite revealing and may gross out some people.  

But, because after having my bottom jaw bone shaved of its top layer (due to chronic gum disease) I barely had any jaw height left at all.  I kept wondering how in the world they would get a good fit on practically 'nothing'. 

First, here is a photo of the underside 

of the bottom permanent hybrid denture. 

The titanium structure on the underside is designed specifically 

to match the depth of each implant in my jaw.

This provides a perfectly straight alignment of the denture.

Unfortunately, as I assume there are many people in this same situation, 

because of the design of my bottom jaw permanent hybrid denture, 

it sits well above my actual jaw.  

If it wasn't made this way, I probably wouldn't have the proper bite.

The reason I'm showing such a 'graphic' photo 

is so that you have an understanding of what I'm describing.

Until you 'see' it, you can't fully grasp it.

This is where a WaterPik flossing unit comes in handy!

Although I was given samples of special "Super Floss" and 'threaders', 

I can tell you that they are a royal pain in the ass. 

So, it's the WaterPik for me!

Here are some images to help you understand the super floss & threaders.

Super floss is just that!  

It's a thick but somewhat 'fabric-like' floss. 

It's made especially to "grasp" food particles. 

The threader is what is used to go between implants or teeth 

and pull the super floss through.

In this image, it shows you exactly how to use the super floss with the threader.

Also, and most importantly for my post, 

this image resembles what my bottom dentures look like!

Sitting up above the actual jaw bone.

This is what the threader looks like.

When the day arrives (perhaps next year) that I'm able to eat out at a restaurant with friends and perhaps do more afterwards, I won't have my floss or my WaterPik so I will just have to swish water around in my mouth to loosen caught pieces of food hidden under my dentures. 

You would NOT believe what comes out of my mouth when I use the WaterPik!  OMG!

I will continue to post more updates and hopefully more advice for those planning, contemplating or actually going through this same procedure. 

Am I regretful?

NO!

Don't let a difference or something you have to get used to change your decision on whether to get hybrid dentures or not.  

Perhaps single tooth implants would be a 'better' way to go, 

but with all the medical issues I had, 

I just think getting it done in one big WACK was the way to go!

I wish all those out there the very best of luck 

should you choose permanent hybrid dentures. 

I feel very blessed to no longer have gum disease

and also to not have to wear temporary, removable dentures the rest of my life. 

I hope my blog is helping some to understand this lengthy

and life changing process. 

Don't give up!

Lisa : )