Name: Len
Age: 72
Family: Married with four grown kids and four grandkids
Occupation: Computer software IT consultant
Dentures: Wife has had dentures for eight years
"I want my wife to enjoy her dentures, but I feel bad that she can't."
When Len's wife, Carol, had to get dentures eight years ago, he knew what she would go through—because he already had them. "I remember that she didn't think it was that big a deal," he recalls. "It wasn't a showstopper; it was more of a speed bump." However, after getting full uppers and partial lowers, her experience has been anything but pleasant, and it has become a touchy subject.
Len says, "Carol's dentures were ill-fitting from the get-go. The dentist has offered to fix them several times, but she refuses to go back." Len attributes Carol's reluctance to return to the dentist to her fear of gagging on the molding compound, which occurred when she originally got measured for her dentures. "Since then, Carol has said repeatedly that she won't go back," Len declares. "I think the dentist could help her get past a lot of her fears; she just has to know what to expect."
Len's opinion of dentures is the complete opposite of his wife's. Since getting a few initial adjustments made, his dentures have worked flawlessly. His job requires him to speak in front of groups, and he does so without any problems. Conversely, since his wife got hers, Len states, "As far as her dentures are concerned, I feel like her life hasn't gotten better." On top of her denture discomfort, Len states that chronic back pain has prevented Carol from dealing with anything else. "She probably would have gone back to the dentist if she didn't have back issues."
While Carol has refused to get her dentures adjusted, Len has noticed how her behavior and their relationship have subtly changed. "She's always been outgoing, a real extrovert," he states. "But since getting dentures, she's gotten more cautious about when she speaks." Additionally, Len has noticed that Carol has been much more selective when choosing restaurants. "She's a good sport about it," he remarks. "But (since getting dentures) she has started choosing different places to eat. She doesn't like barbecue anymore, salads, or any red meat." While it's apparent that Carol is not satisfied with her dentures, Len notes that she always keeps her dentures in, even when she sleeps. "She's not ashamed of having them," he notes. "But if she talked to other people who wore them, besides me, it would probably do her some good."
After nearly 50 years of being married, Len knows when to talk to Carol about sensitive subjects, and when not to. "I know and she knows that we're going to argue about her going back to the dentist. I can't make her go," he reflects. "She hides her pain well, so I don't really know how much it's bothering her. If she went back and got her dentures adjusted, she would be as satisfied as I am. But the older I get, the more I realize that I can't make her [go back]. She'll go when she's ready."

Meet Len
Posted: August 17, 2009 3:37 pmReplies: 7
Meet Len
Posted: August 17, 2009 3:37 pm
Reply to Meet Len
Posted: September 29, 2009 8:33 pm
I am the denture wearer you're married to. I am a woman and to women, our appearance is everything, or so society tells us. Once I could brush my hair and teeth, put on some lipstick and go. Now, I take my teeth out of a plastic case and put them in my mouth in shame. I am no longer the confident, outgoing woman I once was. I have not really, truly kissed my husband fully on his patient lips in almost 2 years. I do not eat in public for fear that my "teeth" will slip out. I have lost 50 pounds and look gaunt and older than my 50 years. Yes, there are implants, but they are impossibly expensive. I believe I am of the majority. Surely there's another way.
Reply to Meet Len
Posted: October 9, 2009 4:18 pm
Reply to Meet Len
Posted: November 23, 2009 8:46 am
Reply to Meet Len
Posted: December 16, 2009 12:14 pm
Sleeping without your dentures will help your
gums plump up so your denture will fit much
better the next day when you place them in.
Please DO go back and have your dentures fitted
right...as it Does Take time and sometime many
visits -- BUT DO NOT GIVE UP.
Ask your medical Dr. to give you a Medicine
that will relax you when you go
to the dentist ...if you have a good Dr. that
cares about you they will do this as has mine.
this will HELP MUCH WITH YOUR
FEARS. It Certainly has with me. Its ok to
be in fear and there are ways to help overcome.
About eating...be sure and eat ANYTHING you
want at home by...
Getting yourself a couple of those small food
choppers and jsut have them sitting on the
kitchen cabinet for convenience and you can
chop Most foods to the point of where it is as
though they have been chewed.
I have implants that are now breaking down and
its hard for me to eat so I have learned to chop
everything that I fix my husband for dinner and
I eat Good and have not lost weight and am staying
healthy. I don't like to just use those protein drinks
although I do drink them some for convenience.
I eat lots of jello and puddings and applesauce.
There is a Way to be CONFIDENT wearing dentures
and Your Dentist is the First one to help You.
do not continue living in FEAR to go back.
I do not think anyone could have ever been more
fearful than me but I wanted to live a full life and
be presentable both to myself and confident in
Public. Beleive there is Help for YOU and God after it!!!
I have had Many years of experience with tooth ache
lost my teeth at age 18 and wore dentures till age
50 then got lower implants and until agew 70 a couple
years ago had spent much time in that Dentist chair
getting what I NEEDED to live as comfortable of a life
as I could. Nobody likes pain and it will wear you down
no need to suffer emotional pain over wearing dentures.
There is an Answer for YOU! Go for it!
Butterfly









