With teeth and taste I can't see the sense in rice. I've never been a fan of rice. I can barely swallow it with normal salivary glands.
I can't begin to appreciate the rice problems the rest of you experience but, my patients with compromised salivary flow and dry mouths have told me using lemon in the water they cook rice with makes it easier to chew, swallow and an enjoyable part of a meal. Lemon is a know stimulant of salivary flow even in impaired salivary glands.
Hope this is useful,
Mike

Dr. Mike,

Great to see you back! I know it's only been a few days, but you were unknowingly my first contact with the site. I found the site and you were logged in at the time.

If I can get those teeth, and that's a big if, I just might try that. (But definitly NOT at a banquet)

Lani

Lani,
Great to see you here!
I may be missing something but I'm not sure what you mean by "those teeth". It may be something I replied to on another thread.
If I can be of any assistance or answer any questions you may have ask away.
Cheers,
Mike

Dr. Mike,

Well, I was searching on the net that night because it's in discussion about whether I can have the surgery that MAYBE can make lower dentures possible. And I found this fantastic site, and who's logged in, but a dentist! Even you weren't, though, you were the first person on the site that I got to "know" a bit. Even if I hadn't had bunches of post-treatment questions that I was anxious to find answers to, there you were. Right after I joined I started looking at some of your posts to see if you had said anything about something like my case. I know you're not here AS a dentist, but all have to admit you have considerable knowledge on the subject.

My journey over the past 2 years was pretty rocky and I almost didn't make it, but I'm doing pretty well now. (Please feel free to read my intro post from a few days ago, the 20th.)

In October I'm going to the Docs at Shands about surgery to make it possible for me too have lower teeth, though no guarantees. They could do the surgery and it might not work. They said I could have upper teeth any time, but it might look worse by highlighting the lack of support for my lower lip. If they do decide I can have the surgery, I'm sure I'll have to move back to Gainesville for those 30 dives in the HB chamber. My RO, head of my team, was wary of it, but says that as long as these particular dental/oral/facial surgeons are involved, it's OK with him.

So wish me luck. I'm very nervous about any more surgery anywhere even near my mouth, but it sure would be nice to have teeth. The Doc asked what I wanted, and I told him that I wanted to get back as much as possible to "normal". It would be wonderful to be able to smile again.

Lani

Lani,
We would all love for you to be able to smile again!!
I am here as a Dentist just not in the same Dentist capacity as I am in my office when I can see a patient, take a proper history, examine them and confer with their treating doctors.
I decided when I found this site that it was the best place for me to be able to listen, learn and offer answers and advice to individuals stricken with OC. I did not have OC and therefore cannot offer first hand, "this is what I'm going through...or went through" advice. I do have an above average knowledge of the head and neck and associated dental problems being a dentist. This is where I felt I could do the most good.
As for your situation; lower dentures are difficult to fit and construct in any individual. There are always options that can help retain a lower denture even in the worst of situations. Dental implants have opened a new chapter in what is possible.
If I can help you in any way with advice, information and direction let me know.
I'm also a pretty good listener and shoulder to cry or vent on.
All the best!!
Mike

Mike,
Well, I joked earlier about this Mona Lisa type smile thing. It's worked for her so far.

The problem with lower teeth for me is that most of my lower gumline was removed except in the very back, so there's nothing to fit them to. A different Doc at Shands oral/dental teaching clinic had said that they would have to cut down between my lower lip and my jaw. It's hard to explain (at least I'm struggling for the words), but if I pull my lower lip out, the gum line is where that lip section connects to the jaw, and some of it's even lower. I'm hoping that this surgeon will suggest rebuilding or somehow replacing. Or certainly implants! That's my first main question to him.
I'm hoping for better news this time than last time. This time I've been sent to the professors. The surgeon I saw last year was recently out of residency and needed to do some research and get back to me. She never did, and I had other things going on, so I didn't pursue it. But now I'm ready! (I hope)

Lani

Lani,
High lip to ridge attachment occurs in many individuals.
This situation can certainly be a problem when constructing lower dentures.
The severity of the problem will dictate the surgery that will be necessary to resolve the situation.
In cases where the lip "cord" is the only hinderance then a frenectomy will usually solve the problem. The process requires the cord or muscle, connective tissue and fibrous tissue to be cut and/or lowered where it attaches to the bone.
If the cord is high and the adjacent tissue are high as well, (this can be visualized by looking in a mirror and pulling your lower lip from the center and seeing how deep the space between the lip and ridge are and then pulling your lower lip on each side and seeing how much space is available), then a frenectomy and vestibuloplasty may be required.
If there is insufficient bone then a bone graft may also be required to build up the boney ridge in conjunction with the above mentioned soft tissue surgeries.
On there own and together these are pretty standard pre-prosthetic sugeries done to accomodate lower dentures. In the situations I have seen they have been very successful and made many patients happy.
I perform this surgery in my office with local anaesthesia if no bone augmentation is required and the patient is healthy.
Like I said before, there is much that can be done to help stabilizing a lower denture.
All the best.
Mike

Dr. Mike,

Well THAT certainly clears things up! Just kidding, but I had a little trouble at first with "vestibuloplasty". Not sure if I've totally figured out what it is, but at least I've figured out how to say it.

When I pull out my lower lip at the center, the floor of my mouth, the bone, and the lip/facial tissue all pretty much meet at the same spot - at the top of my chin bone. Like if you pinch the very tip of your chin - the top of that bone, or very nearly. Anyway, it's pretty low. The lip cord you mention - I don't think I have one anymore. Makes me wonder how on earth the cutting further down would be accomplished, and would I be wearing dentures on my chin bone?

I guess I'll just hope for implants. If the Docs at Shands say it's the only or best way, then Medicare should approve it, I think, and it sounds a lot easier to deal with afterward, as long as I heal well and my body doesn't reject them or something.

I'll find out on Oct 14th and I'll let you know what they say.

Lani

It's very important to my wife's Cuban restaurant!!! Can't imagine black beans and mashed potatoes.

David,

I do plan on going to your wife's restaurant when I'm in the area. Are you saying I have to bring my own mashed potatoes?
Well, that's do-able. I already bring my own applesauce to restaurants with me. Sometimes you just gotta adjust.

Lani