Name: Monica
Age: 42
Family: Mother with 13-year-old son
Occupation: Homemaker and homeschooler
Dentures: Needs to have three more teeth removed before getting full uppers and lowers
"I'm ready for the changes dentures will bring."
Ever since her son was born, Monica has loved taking his picture. But you'll almost never see her in the frame. "I don't like to see my smile," says Monica. "I'm a really outgoing person, so I smile and talk a lot, but when the camera comes out, I clam up."
"I never really learned how to take care of my teeth as a child. So every time I went to the dentist, I was terrified," Monica recalls. As she got older and the condition of her teeth worsened, Monica dealt with the pain rather than taking steps to fix her smile. She remembers, "In my 20s they told me I might need dentures, but I kept putting it off. It was the drilling sound that got to me. Just hearing that sound would make me run out of the office."
For more 20 years, Monica avoided doing something about her teeth. She kept changing dentists. She avoided being in pictures. She tolerated the pain. A couple of years ago, Monica finally decided to do something about it. "I was thinking about working again. And I don't want to be cruel, but to get a good job, appearance matters!"
After talking to her dentist, she realized that dentures were her most affordable option. "I talked to family members who had dentures and did research online," says Monica. "Some people had a bad experience, but for the most part, I was surprised... most of the people I talked to were really comfortable with their dentures." The more she learned, the less afraid she was. "I wanted to hear about the good stories and the bad," she recalls. "It's great to know that you are not alone."
Monica is currently in the process of getting all of her teeth removed. "The process isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, especially when you compare it to the pain I lived with for the last 20 years. That was worse than anything. I'm ready to get my dentures now," she explains. "Sure, I'm still nervous every time I go to the dentist, but soon, I think I'm going to feel good about my smile. Do you know how long it's been since I've felt that way?"
As she moves closer to getting her first set of dentures, Monica hopes her story can help others in similar situations. But more importantly, she looks forward to putting her smile back in the picture.
Meet Monica
Posted: August 17, 2009 3:24 pmMeet Monica
Posted: August 17, 2009 3:24 pm
15. Reply to Meet Monica by Fixodent_Mod
Posted: August 1, 2011 7:50 pm
14. Meet Monica by Fixodent_Mod
Posted: January 18, 2011 7:20 am
Hi, Monica. I was relieved to read your story and know there was someone else like me. I went to the dentist maybe 1 time growing up so I was terrified. Like you, I lived with the pain. I finally went and had most of my teeth pulled and now I have been putting off getting dentures. The thing is, I used to have a beautiful smile. I am 36 and have 2 sons. I might smile a little but it won't be enough that you can see my teeth. If I laugh, I always turn my head or drop my head so no one can see. It is too embarassing. I get told all the time I am beautiful but without my teeth, I sure don't feel beautiful. I want my smile back! I want to be able to walk out my door with confidence and say, "Here I am, world. The new me!" I don't want to be embarrassed anymore and I want to laugh like a normal person because I enjoy laughing! After reading this, I am ready to face it and get on with my life. Thank you, Monica, and God bless you! Thank you!
13. Reply to Meet Monica by Fixodent_Mod
Posted: December 17, 2010 1:33 pm
Hi Monica
I read your story and u are alot like me....i had such a fear of the dentist...wanted to pass out just walking in the door from the smell of the place. For 15 yrs i've lived snaggertoothed but fortunately my mouth formed such a way that no one really noticed at first that i didnt have no teeth until i told them.
Youre right....i even had the nerve to go on a interview for a part time job i wanted.... who was i fooling, they were'nt goint to hire me.
I made the move of getting the rest of my teeth pulled (about 4) then i went 2 yrs without those.....i finally made my mind up to get the dentures. The great part about it is...with all the teeth pulled....now when i was going to the dentist i had no fear because i knew i wasnt getting needles and things like that...I WAS BRAVE ! After about 5 or 6 weeks....I just got my dentures yesterday. I have not smiled like this in over 20 yrs. I cant stop looking at myself in the mirror...i am so proud that i achieved this.
I went home on the train just smiling and feeling good about myself. I have to learn how to talk again and eat...that will take time and also ...This has lifted my self esteem....i have teeth now....next im gonna battle my weight...and i will be ready for the summer!
12. Reply to Meet Monica by Fixodent_Mod
Posted: October 25, 2010 5:12 pm
MY NAME IS MONIQUE, IT IS LIKE MY LIVE STORY WITH DENTIST AND IMPLANTS. I WOULD LIKE FOR ONCE IN MY LIVE PRETTY SMILE.
11. Simuliar Story/Reply to Meet Monica by Fixodent_Mod
Posted: September 9, 2010 10:50 pm
My story is much the same as Monica's. I grew up with parents that toke us to the dentists all the time. I had a mouth full of fillings.Was only 10 yrs old, when I was given the first numbing shot ever. It scared me so bad, I remember crying in my dads arms, telling him I was never going to go back to another dentist. Never enjoyed dentiist after that day. After my last two children that I had only 15 months apart from each other. Never helped my bad teeth either. They started to decay and brake. One dentist caused them to brake worse, by over filling them. I lived for years with bad ugly teeth. Hated my smile. I finally work at a job with desent insurance and came into some money and decided to have it done. Had all the tops pulled, and only a partial on the bottom, as the bottom 8 front teeth where still strong. I'm having sore spots with the partials as they move around to much when I talk or chew. BUT--It's only my 3rd week. They tell me it takes at least 6 months before I'll see my permanant set. I'm learning to live life over, but am sure that in time, I'll heal and enjoy eating once again. I do sooo love my new smile.
