> From: "Alice Hegland"
>My questions are
>1. How will I know if my dentures
> are right for me. I will be sore and
> tender anyway.

Well, of course, there is that first impression. If you look at yourself in
the mirror right after the immediates are inserted and you smile (yes, you
can, sort of), that's a sign that at least one thing is right. If you burst
into frustrated tears, that is a bad sign.
Right in the beginning, your dentures will probably be exactly right for
you. They will be holding in the swelling, and they will probably fit nice
and tight, so you can't tell much about the fit. That is normal.

>2. What should I look for when my
> Dentist and I discuss dentures?

You want your dentist to let you be in on design in wax, before it is set in
pretty pink plastic. You want to be able to look at the style and see if
the teeth are the way you think they should be. You could ask about whether
the dentist thinks they are the right size for you and your mouth (you don't
want "chiclets" for teeth, nor do you want horse teeth)
Your dentist should also let you be in on the choice of color, but should
give you some advice.

>3. What kind of fit am I looking for
>immediately?
Nice and tight, comfy. You won't know the difference anyway. You do want
the teeth to match up, i.e, you want the idea that you *could* eat
complicated stuff, even if you feel that that is too adventurous (see the
list files at groups.yahoo.com/group/dentureadventures for chew-free recipes
which are tasty and easy to prepare) You want to *feel* like you look
normal, and like you *could* learn to speak normally within a week or two
(you can)

>4. How often should I visit my
> dentist after the whole process is
> done.

My dentist let me go every day he was in the office. (I highly recommend
*not* taking a vacation away from home right after you get the denture, as I
did). At first, I went to the dentist's office every three days or so,
every time I thought I felt a pain, for "adjustments". (I think I might
have been lucky -- I have heard some people say that they can only go once
every two weeks) The more open your dentist is to having you run in for
adjustments whenever you feel you need them, the better -- I think it
actually makes you stop needing adjustments faster.

> 5. Are there differant Dentures
>out there? Do I have any choices?

Oh yeah! There is some information in the files on the list website
groups.yahoo.com/group/dentureadventures
There are all kinds of dentures, at all kinds of prices. There are the
cheap dentures you see advertised, and there are the "Cadillac" dentures,
with prices to match. The most important thing is your dentist's care in
creating the denture.

> I have spent 40 out of 54 years in
> pain.
<snip>
> I'm really hoping to finally be pain
> free, have a beautiful smile, and
> confidence to laugh with a healthy
> smile.

This is the exact right attitude to have going into your "denture
adventure". I, personally, told myself that I was "going to get my smile
back!". I did. (check out people's smile photos in the website photo
files -- mine are under "my new smile") If you have a positive attitude
going in, you will do much better, your recovery will be smoother, and you
will have an improved self-esteem much sooner (maybe even immediately ! as I
did)

Best of luck! Keep us informed.
Margaret