Dentures - New thread

[SharpDog]

I just took my OW class. I have no teeth. No problem. Lost the reg once or twice in two days, just put it back in my mouth. Didn't think of it at all during the dives.

 

[DandyDon]

Just got this PM...

As promised - here's the next installment of my experience getting dentures and continueing diving.

I'm back from vacation and had 15 great dives in all kinds of depths and conditions.

Report:
Good thing I took a little "denture" kit on the boat with me and I highly reccommend all who need do !

Kit included:
denture brush
dental pic (metal)
adhesive (your choice)
Simple - fit's iside of mask case.

While I had no issues all day (3 dives) with the uppers, I did need to "reglue" my lowers - sometime between each dive. Seems as though the pressure from depth really mased my lowers down hard against the gums.

I did get new "soft liners" again just before leaving. This is something I've been doing every 60 - 90 days as my jaw heals. The DDS says this will take a year or more to accompolish.

I did decide on this trip that after the healing process is completed and I go for my permanent dentures that I'm going to have posts implanted in my upper and lower jaws so the dentures will "clip" in and no more need of adhesives.

These are my experiences only and I strongly suggest that the reader consult their own DDS and DAN.

I had so many fears that when first confronted with loosing my teeth that my diving days were over. But, that's not the case at all.

That's about it until next time!

Sounds great. Hmm, I still have the first set I started with, never got any liners. I need ot look into this

 

[Land Locked]

I've been diving with a full upper plate now for eight years. At first I thought it would be an issue, turned out I was wrong. A well fitted upper plate should not require any glueing, I found the paste was an inconvience I could do without. I understand lower plates are a bigger issue and will require a paste. I did switch to a secure mouth piece for jaw fatigue, maybe because I was tending to bite down a little harder. To the op, once you have healed up, the geometry of your mouth changes considerably. There is NO WAY I could wear my first plate now, it is almost like it was never made for my mouth!

If your plate feels loose or does not stay in place by suction, get it lined or use a good paste.

 

[fnmrg]

Hi
I have been diving with dentures for about 6 years. I have done some commercial diving. I have no problem and I don't use any glue or anything.

 

[jupitermermaid]

I am so glad that I'm ignorant about some things. I put off getting my OW for YEARS becuase I always had problems with ear infections. I've had dentures since I was in high school (long story), and have gone through several sets due to gum shrinkage. The last set I got in 1997 I had the titanium jaw implant with the posts for the bottom set since the lower gums were so shrunk, but have regular uppers. When I took up diving I didn't even THINK about the dentures being an issue (thankfully). I have never had a problem in over 50 (so experienced, aren't I????) dives in the last year and a half since I started diving. I don't use adhesives or anything, don't take them out while I dive (I don't even take them out at night....I don't like the feel of sucking my own lips), and have never felt like I was going to lose them. Maybe because I've had them so long and am comfortable with them (actually, I've had dentures for more years of my life than I had regular ones), so there's no adjustment period I had to go through that someone new to the circle of falsies might be.

Speaking of falsies, I wonder if there's any problems that people who have breast implants face while diving (buoyancy issues, blocked vision, dislocation, squeeze, combustion, etc? LOL).....who's willing to admit it and share?

Other than that, "Yes, they're my own teeth....they're paid in full."

Keep smiling and diving!

 

[DandyDon]

Just received this PM from my silent buddy here....

This will be the last installment. It's been a little over one year now and life and diving with dentures has become both natural and comfortable.

For those of you that have done a search on this forum "dentures" - I hope these postings will be helpful.

Ok, last Friday, I went in to get my new permanent set of upper and lower dentures. I've been wearing a temporary set for the past year(+). The dentist said that it takes 9 - 12 months for everything to completly heal. Wow, my new perms fit great ! I was sad though as I was hoping to get implants in my lower jaw so the lowers would "click" in (not need adhesive), but my jaw bone isn't wide enough for implants. .

Over the past year - actually about every three months - I had my temps adjusted as the healing process continued and the dentures would get to loose.

I'll keep my temps for a spare set and maybe strong current diving - only because I have so much confidence in them in these conditions

When faced with having all my teeth extracted, I was worried that diving would be over for me - WRONG. I dive ever other weekend with my dentures in and with a regular mouth piece and have no problems. I even had a stingray bump my regulator while swimming by. Reg came out, teeth didn't. I've accumilated well over 100 hours underwater with dentures. I did try the mouth piece with the "flappers" - but hated that (personal choice).

OK, that's about it - Dan, thanks for posting !!!

Happy and Safe Denture Diving !!!

Funny, I've been using the same uppers since the beginning years ago. I need to get some work done on my lower bridge. Maybe I should explore upgrading...?

 

[KyMermaidDivr]

Hi Don,
I'm Monica and a Dental Hygienist. This has beed a great thread and not one that many would just come out and post, but as many people have them, I'm sure there have been many unanswered questions or worries floating in the air regarding dentures and diving. Thanks so much for starting this thread. With the fitted mouthpieces that can be made, manta mouthpieces, adhesives (if you need them), people with dentures should be able to relax with their dive. Like you said ... just have that Octo ready for your buddy! A suggestion if you're having to use much adhesive, talk to your dentist about getting a new plate or plates if you've had them for several years ... You're probably due for an "upgrade". Another thing to discuss is a reline, where extra acrylic is added, polised, and adjusted to your ridges. Your dentist, upon examining your denture will know which treatment is best. Some people are fortunate to be able to have implants placed and a bar attached to the implants where a denture or what is called an "over -denture" then clamps onto the bar by little oblong snap- like appliances that are fitted into the denture, thus providing more security. (Another thing to discuss with your dentist for anyone looking at loosing their teeth or that have retention problems) Heck, implants are great for replacing any missing teeth if determined conditions are good by your dentist or the specialist that places the implants.

Hope some this helps, too. Just some ideas for discussion, if needed. Thanks again for bringing to notice a most often time delicate topic.

Monica Rice Harlan, RDH