Dr. Brueggen, Houston...all on Four - Houston, TX

Thank you, Charles, for the encouragement. I called and have an appt. to talk to Dr. Brueggen on Monday. I wanted to get his input before they went any farther because the teeth are wrong on every account. Snow white, very small, no lip line, biting the inside of my cheek. I know Dr. Brueggen will make it right. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page, when it came to making them over. I don't want to be a pain in the butt, but the temps look so good and I am so happy with them, I expected the perms to look at least that good. I wasn't quite prepared for how bad I looked in them.

I was very unhappy with how they looked. I never really was consulted very much on how I wanted them to look. I had said I wanted them to look like the temps. They are much too white for my old face. The the are very small and flat....I have a good lip line with the temps....not so with the perms. They are very aging. I had to delay mine because my husband had kidney surgery. Then I went for the impression to have the titanium bar made and I think they forgot about me. I didn't hear from them for over two months. Then I made an appointment and it was another month to get in.

I had to call them back then....or I guess I'd still be waiting. That kind of tee'd me off, right there. But, I haven't had any problems with the temps, so waiting wasn't all bad. I can get used to anything. I don't think I ought to be biting the inside of my cheek though.

I am going today for my 3rd try in. I am much more pleased. I had them bring it out a little, which gave me back my lip line. Dr. Brueggen tries very hard to make you happy, and I feel certain that by the time we are finished, I will be.

No, not at all. I haven't heard anything about this, but I am going today and will ask Dr. Brueggen about it. I don't tend to be allergic to anything....not even poison ivy and I have no allergies...like hay fever. Haven't been sick or even had a cold in years. So, no change in my health. I will report back after I talk to him today.

I am glad to hear everything is going well for you. Thank you so much as that brings some ease to my fears. please do keep me inform. thanks!

I talked to Dr. Brueggen about this yesterday and he told me that titanium is inert and is used in lots of different surgeries. He said he had no knowledge of any problems but maybe fifty years down the line we may find out more than we know right now. I thought that was kind of an odd answer. I am not allergic to anything....not even poison ivy (knock on wood....I live in an ocean of it) and I am not very worried about having an allergic reaction to it. I admit, I am not crazy about the idea of having anything "implanted" in my body....but I am going for a knee replacement...hopefully soon...and I guess some things are just worth the risk. Some people are very sensitive to various metals....I do know that, so I guess if I had trouble, for example, wearing some jewelry or watches, I might think I might be allergic to other metals, but so far, not. Too, my teeth were so bad....I would take the risk, even if I knew there was some....because it has made the quality of my life so much better. Dr. Brueggen asked me if I would be interviewed for a video about my experiences with the all on four, and I said yes. Went in last week. After I left, I thought of some more things I wish I had mentioned, and that is just how much differently people treat you when you have nice teeth....as opposed when you have really bad teeth. Well, I am sure a person with good teeth, has more self confidence and that carries over in other areas of your life, but I know it has made me feel a lot more free-er in engaging people in conversation, and I am a whole lot more happier. Oh....and one thing...not connected to teeth, but to my bucket list. I wanted to get my teeth fixed....that was number 1. But, one of the other things was to buy myself a mule. Yes....a mule. You read that right. I am the proud owner of My Sabrina. http://i42.tinypic.com/vscjk1.jpg

Just out of curiosity, why pulling 18 natural teeth for implant supported denture? Why not keep them and add individual dental implant at the lost tooth positions? So that you still have some chewing ability while in the healing period. Thanks.

If my teeth had been good, of course I wouldn't have had them pulled. I didn't have a good tooth in my mouth. I had old caps and a bridge, and some missing, some broken, decayed, discolored. For years I didn't have the money to do extensive dental work. I also had a terrible fear of dentists. I was a recluse in my own home, due to the embarrassment of how I looked. I was very depressed. I don't have a picture of my "before". Dr. Brueggen took one, and if I ever can, I will post it here. Believe me, I have a lot of places I could have spent $50,000 and if I hadn't needed this so badly, or if my teeth could have been saved, I would have gone that route. As for eating, I have had no trouble eating. The first three weeks, I was eating a very soft diet, but when I went for a check up, I was told to eat anything I could cut with a fork, and no biting with my front teeth, like eating pizza or sandwiches with very had crust bread. I think the only thing I have missed eating is steak...but if meat is very tender, I can eat it easily. I eat a lot of chicken, shrimp, oysters, tenderized beef cutlets, fish. The diet is not restrictive at all. I had thought I would have to eat a very soft diet, and as it turned out, I have had to make very few changes to what I eat.

Just a little comment to arthurtmp. Most of my natural teeth I had before removing them, I was going to loose eventually, rapidly in fact. I was missing so many teeth already. All my decay damage was not fixable. I had spent $5,000.00 dollars in two months time trying to save 3 upper front teeth, which included root canals and crowns. They didn't last a week because of the alignment of my bite. The doctors want you to be confident that there may be hope but they don't tell you really of what might happen. Our minds don't think like their minds because they know more than we do. Dentists always want to save a tooth!!!! They just don't tell you that its temporary for some years only. Once I understood about the alignment of the bite, which you don't have even with just a few teeth missing it appears more damages come about. My daughter in-law who is still very young was going to have her first root canal. I suggested to her a tooth implant instead because trying to save the tooth, in about maybe 10 or so years she's going to loose that tooth anyway. In my day, there was no such thing as a tooth implant. To many complications, time and damage force some of us to choose denture implants as the best way to go.

believe me you will find ways when you get hungry enough, also you should be past the just yogurt, puddings etc etc only. You can eat soft chicken, soft fresh veggies cooked, like broccoli boiled about 6 minutes, rice, pasta,. Basically things you can cut with a fork. Just think about for a little bit you'll come up with lot's of ideas, especially when you get hungry enough. At first you get a mind block but slowly it starts unblocking. I let my raisin bran cereal sit an extra minute. When I think back I think I was thinking like you. One morning I just had to have toast with butter, so I let it sit in mouth till I felt it was soft enough and then used some chewing to get it down.....Remember!!! If you can cut it with a fork!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your response, it's very helpful hearing from others who have undergone this procedure.

I was thinking I would be on a very soft diet for six months too, and I was kind of surprised when they told me anything that I could cut with a fork. I was talking to Dr. Brueggen and since we own shrimp boats and he worked on a shrimp boat when he was a teen, he told me I could eat fish, shrimp, oysters....and I eat a lot of chicken and tenderized beef cutlets. He said it is very important to maintain a good diet. Actually, I was sort of looking forward to having a restricted diet....thinking it would be a good time to go on a diet and lose a few pounds, but since I can eat almost anything I want, the "diet idea" has fallen by the wayside.

I have my last weekly checkup later this week and I will ask both my dentist and oral surgeon why the no chew soft diet and get better clarification, it could be due to some bone grafting that had to be done or perhaps due to pulling all my teeth (28) not real sure. Thank you for sharing your experience.

I had a bunch of teeth pulled too. It might be the first few weeks that you have to be on the soft diet. I was on soft food for about three weeks, but when I went back for my first check up, I was told anything I could cut with a fork. Good luck...hope you can move up from the really soft foods.

Hi tottcatering Do you have your permanent bridge in yet. I am getting all of four done in July very nerous... I live in Phila, Pa. I read really good reviews from everyone from different areas. I hear that you are able to eat soft food. I have a question is the temps sercure with no movement in your mouth when you are eating??

Nj1952 - you didn't direct this question to me but I was visiting BYU's page and saw your question. All though I went through some miscommunication on the "look" of my teeth - the entire issue has been taken care of. As for are the temps secure. Mine are very secure. They have to be or they mess up your bite and the bridge would crack from my understanding. As Byu said to me just a few weeks ago before my all on four procedure - you've made a good decision. Good luck to you and keep us all posted on your journey.

Thank you for answering my question and good wishes. I will post next month when I have it done just wish I wasn't so nervous .

Las Vegas local thanks for a fast response to my question. I will keep you posted .

Absolutely no movement at all!!!!! Being nervous is very very normal, even when the day is getting closer and closer!! You'll be just fine though. I get my permanents maybe after July. Funny, I just asked if my permanent teeth on the bottom could be a little tiny bit crooked looking (completely straight looking looks false to me, they said yes. My next visit they will have a wax figure of my permanent teeth to make the look of how I want my teeth to look, I'm so excited to see how that works. One of the nurses there (I didn't know she has the 4+4 denture implants) because her teeth on the bottom looked a little bit crowded very natural looking, I was so amazed and so surprised that they weren't her teeth!!!!!! Even on the top, she had two teeth (one on each side) slightly turned a little, couldn't believe they were not her teeth as God as my witness

Thanks for talking to me it really helps. Wishing you the best, cant wait to hear how happy you will be when you are finally done. I will post when I go in 4 weeks on how things go

Hi tott, I haven't talked to you since my procedure. My first set of teeth were hideous so they were remade. It's a long story on my review. I got my new teeth on Monday with my cuspid sticking out a little like I wanted and some of the overbite I used to have plus enlarging the teeth like my original teeth. They are so much better and look more natural. I told them I didn't want that straight Hollywood type smile I wanted my old one but with improvements. I will probably tweek them a little before my final perms just a bit. Yours look very nice in the picture. They do look natural. Take care and "hi" again.

Glad you are doing well, tottcatering! That's a good idea about making the teeth a little bit crooked to make them look more natural. I may see about doing that on mine.

Good luck, Larry. Let us know how it goes. Wishing you an easy time of it. Just remember to follow what the doctor says. I didn't have time to be nervous about mine. I had researched it for three years, and when I finally got the money, went the next day, and Dr. Brueggen had a cancelation, so I got mine done the day after that. I didn't have time to be nervous. Next thing I knew, it was over. I was too thrilled to be having it done to be very nervous. Probably if I had to wait very long, I would have had more anxiety.

nj1952, I was told, when I went back for my 3 week check up, that I could eat anything that I could cut with a fork. No biting with the front teeth, like eating pizza or a sandwich with crusty bread. I was surprised that I didn't have to change my diet much at all. There is no movement with the temporaries. The thing that my dentist has stressed over and over, is to keep the implants clean. I use a water pik and floss every day. Flossing was difficult at first, using a floss threader, but I use the floss that has a stiff end, so that is much easier. I am told the permanent teeth will be easier to floss.

Thanks for your feedback

I wish you a lot of luck I'll post when I get it done next month

Thanks for answering. I will post when I get the procedure done. Fingers crossed everything goes well for Me.

We are all here if you have questions or concerns. I know I had some and this site has been wonderful to talk with those that have gone through the procedure. All of us have different things to add which makes it a broader spectrum of experiences to draw from. Good luck to you.

Hi I noticed you posted that you procedure costed $50k. I guess depending where you live prices are different Mine is asking for$60k.

Byugal My question is for that price is your uppers going to be porcelain?? I will be going to PI Dental In Fort Washington PA. They came highly recommended.

I think I read somewhere on here that someone in NYC was quoted the price of $120K! So, I guess it does matter where you live. I could have probably gotten mine done cheaper at Clear Choice....I have even read that they will negotiate on the price somewhat. The main thing I would say is find someone who does nothing but implants and has years of experience with them. Important to me, too, was someone I could relate to easily. Dr. Brueggen is very down to earth and talking to him I was comfortable and that made me feel less anxious (less anxiety) about having the procedure done. To tell you the truth, I don't know what the teeth are made from. I will ask him when I go back. I do know they are very realistic looking. This is one of his patients, and I think her teeth look terrific. [IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/f9qlc1.jpg[/IMG]

If that didn't work, try this... http://tinypic.com/r/f9qlc1/5

:-)

tottcatering By crooked do you mean one tooth higher than the others on the bottom. That is a good idea

Annie, I don't know how I missed seeing this until now. Yes, it is Dr. Brueggen in Houston. His webpage is nodentures.com. But I will also email you tomorrow. I apologize for not seeing this sooner.

Thanks for Responding back

Sylvia, that would have scared me to death. I hope from here on out that your recovery will be completely uneventful. Still no problems here. I go back on Feb. 14 for a check up....it will be the first time that he removes them.

thank you for responding back!! Yes I agree, hope the rest of my recovery will be completely uneventful. I did see the Prosthodontist five days later which I forgot to ask a few of my questions. Like still feel a little numbness on my lower lip from about the middle of the lip to the lower chin area. I did comment of a small swelling below my right eye the size of a dime that's raised. He looked at it and said come back in two weeks and said nothing about it. I said it was like that with the bruising, but left after 5 or 6 days, but it's back. So we'll see what is said in two weeks if it's still there. I heard you start using a water pik but nothing was said to me at my two week check up. Maybe because I had a set-back with the Hemotoma. Let me know what happens on your Feb 14 check up. Removing them kinda scares me, I hope it's not painful. I don't know if you read about what I wrote when I came out of recovery and what happened when they placed the dentures on. I hadn't heard of this happening to anyone, so I wasn't expecting it when it happened to me and how painful it was when they were screwing the upper denture into place. I felt all 4 screws being inserted into the roof of my mouth. Don't know if that is normal. The bottom ones I didn't feel to much, was tolerable.

also felt bad pain with the screwing in of the teeth...I made the dentist stop at one point cause it hurt so much, haven't heard anyone else complain about this except us..hmmm wonder if it was the dentists fault as I can tolerate alot of pain?? how are you doing?

Hi JoJo, thank you so much for sharing what happened to you with the same problem!!!! I to can tolerate a lot of pain when I have to, but this was terrible in the worst way!!! For me this could have been prevented, like nova cane even. And why this torture happened nobody will tell me or won't. I have never met a dentist who has to work in my mouth to first make sure I don't feel pain. As far as how I am doing right now I'm okay. I still have numbness in my lower lip as well as the right side of my chin. I hope in time it will disappear and don't like the idea that maybe it won't. I can't feel my lip so even putting on a little lipstick doesn't feel very good. And sometimes through out the day the upper denture feels like it tightens than at other times. I don't know why and haven't read anything from others. I hope all will be well for me when this is all said and done. I guess with healing still in process with the implants it's normal to feel the different sensations going on underneath the dentures. Again, I haven't read anything from anybody to let me know if this is normal or not. I go back to Clear Choice Feb, 11 2013 for them to check if I am ready to use the water pic, Again thanks for writing.

Hi again, I don't think it's normal..we are the only one's that I have read so far that had this problem..hope you feel better soon and get some feeling back in your lip and chin..take care xo

How long have you had your denture implants? And when they check healing of the implants do they remove the temporary denture? If so will I have to go through the same pain? thank you for your reply

East Europeans custom help and support parents. Nothing surorused

If you are asking me, my husband got an insurance settlement, and that is where I got the money for mine. At my age, I couldn't go in debt, and though I had been saving money for it, I don't think I would have ever saved up enough. You know how it is....something unforeseen always comes along.

Gosh, this is not very easy to post because I don't know if I can find the site of where I got my information. After filling out a questioner, it did turn out that I qualified for a grant from the government for $29,000.00, which I did not have to ever pay for to receive denture implants. They have their own dentist's and specialists. This was a surprise for me when I qualified. I ended up though paying from my IRA to go to Clear Choice for the simple fact that it was done all in one day, removal of teeth and leaving with upper and lower (unmovable) dentures the same day. Of course these are just temporary until my implants heal, then I will receive my permante teeth (6 mos) I will try to find the site and if I remember right I think it cost me a small fee to enter the website which I think was maybe $29.00 dollars.

Gosh, this is not very easy to post because I don't know if I can find the site of where I got my information. After filling out a questioner, it did turn out that I qualified for a grant from the government for $29,000.00, which I did not have to ever pay for to receive denture implants. They have their own dentist's and specialists. This was a surprise for me when I qualified. I ended up though paying from my IRA to go to Clear Choice for the simple fact that it was done all in one day, removal of teeth and leaving with upper and lower (unmovable) dentures the same day. Of course these are just temporary until my implants heal, then I will receive my permante teeth (6 mos) I will try to find the site and if I remember right I think it cost me a small fee to enter the website which I think was maybe $29.00 dollars.

I think I got the internet site for the government grant: www.americasgotfunding.com. I don't remember the details of getting to where I wanted to go on this site except to say I was focused on one thing, finding a grant for denture implants and I was desperate!!!

I am pretty sure that grant is a scam. You should not have to pay to get into a legitimate government site. I wonder if anyone on here actually gotten money from them?

Your mother shouldnt have pain after 10 days, Have your doctor checked her lately? xrays, etc? Did she take the proper antibiotics?