For any of you out there with an obturator...what does your permanent one look like? The one I have is all plastic (pink) with wires. My new prosthodontist -- I switched because I didn't like my old one at all -- has told me that the one I have is NOT considered permanent because it's not metal. Did my old prosthodontist not give me a "real" permanent one??? I'm very confused...

This information is correct. I am still wearing my "transitional".obturator, which is how you decribed it. I am now in the process of getting the "permanent" obturator. My Prothodontist has showed me one and it has a metal on it and he plans to even put some teeth on it. Normally you only use the transitional one for about six months. I have gone a little longer because I was waiting on insurance and trying to convince them that this was not the permanent one. My Prothodontist was surprised I have gone this long, it will be almost a year. He thinks it will fit better yet, and maybe not as much food up my nose.

Sharon

It would be awesome to have less food up the nose!

Thanks for your quick reply -- now I know I have to move on and get the one with metal on it. I sure am glad I switched prosthodontists! I only hope insurance will pay for it...

I just came from a visit with my Prothodontist today. The metal part has now been made and he was trying it out and making adjustments, plus added the teeth, an interesting process. He will now take this and it gets covered with acrylic. I go back in Jan., hopefully for a final fitting. This will be the final obturator. I am looking forward to it just for the feel of having a few more teeth. I guess they are not really meant to be functional but should help some with all the empty space in my mouth. I trust that you will be able to proceed with the process shortly.

Sharon

You must be so glad to be on the way to the definitive obturator -- that's great news! Thanks for the info on how it's going; now I have something to look forward to.