I just got a top partial and I am very upset with some things, the way I talk etc. If you have one please help

Question

Ok I just got a top partial the other day. My teeth were crooked and IM too old for braces. Over the years I had problems with some of the back teeth also so they did a partial for me on top. I was so excited to finally have normal teeth. Thing is..I CANNOT TALK!! I try to pronounce my name "s" or "r" and people look at me like a idiot. It hurts on the left side and after I have worn it for an hour or so it begins to feel like my mouth is cramping. It feels to thick but when I pull it out its really not as thick as it feels. I have had some people say I would get used to it..but how do you get used to not being able to pronounce your words..I am trying. really hard. I cant talk plain at all. I dont want it feeling like I have a mouth guard in. All the dentist will tell me is that I have to get used to it.. He doesnt understand. I have a small mouth with a deep roof. when I eat, some food goes behind the partial..is this normal?

Answer 1

food deal is normal. just rinse after eating. my inlaw still sounded"funny" with his, but my dad doesnt. so either way. let it go in one ear and out the other. fyi...dont worry about it.

Answer 2

Now you got a top partial made. As I understand it doesn't fit you like a partial should. And the other thing is that it makes your mouth feel cramping.  No, not at all.  You cannot get used to a partial which does not fit properly. If it has been more than three days of using, and if it pinches or hurts at a point or two that is a completely different matter. Usually when the partial is made by the dentist he makes sure to give you a trial. Did he do it?  I don't think so. Now when you cannot say a name with r or s or sh it means that  the alignment with the lower teeth is not right and there is a space.  This space can never be filled up because the partial has been made that way. This is one. Now when you say cramping please make sure the the inner side of the partial ie. the one that touches your palate has no sharp ridges or points which can cause a piercing and tightening feeling. Usually the best partials are those which have the ridges and grooves on the upper side and they are smoothened so as not to hurt the palate. Should this occur, or if this is the case do not wear the partial because palate sores are difficult to heal, and sometimes the hard sharp ridges and grooves can cause irreversible damage to the palate.  I just hope this is not the case.  Be brave. Go to your dentist and tell him what difficulties you are having.  About talking, about the cramping and the fitting.  And ask him to remake it. You gave him good money didn't you.  So he has to do a satisfactory job. The partial should fit in about three days time except for minor pinches at a point or two.  This is defectively made. Nothing can be done about it except that your dentist has to remake it.  If it has been more than one week that you are wearing it and it causes problems, it has not been made right. Best wishes.

Answer 3

If you are having trouble w/the partial denture when you speak it may be because the denture was made incorrectly. The placement of teeth, the width of the denture and other factors play a role in how you pronounce words. It does take some getting used to. If you decide to have it remade, I would go to a specialist, a Prostodontist, not a denturist, or a dentist. Second, you have other options. Basically you can get implants and replace all missing teeth which will cure your speech problems.  Think of the denture as a Pinto, and the implants as a Cadillac.  Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I dont have a denture but i had a removable brace so i know how it feels to have a lump of plastic on the roof of your mouth! I was lisping and drooling for a few weeks before my speech went back to normal. I'm now a dental student, and I'm finding out how incredible the body, and especially the mouth is at adapting to some really drastic changes. Eventually you will talk normally again, and the more you talk the better you'll be. Try reading out loud or saying tongue twisters over and over in front of the mirror (when no-one's around!) It could be that in a few weeks it still feels sore in one area, if so your dentist might be able to adjust it. I know this sounds nasty but if you give it a bit of time to get a bit pink then the dentist will be able to see better exactly where it's rubbing and will be able to adjust it better. Obviously i'm not suggesting that you suffer in agony - if it bleeds or blisters then you should see your dentist - but sometimes it can feel worse before it feels better. If you really cant get on with it after several weeks then you should discuss this with your dentist. Good luck!