Years ago my GF bumped her front tooth on her toddlers head, knocking the tooth out. She had a flipper. She thought it was funny to take the flipper out completely or flip it up with her tongue...when talking to me. She'd giggle. She had no problems eating with it and it looked like a real tooth.

I had a flipper for months, while waiting for the titanium post for an implant to heal.

It looked completely normal. However there is no way to eat with it in. It is incredibly uncomfortable because food gets behind it. I didn't even like drinking liquids with it.

Looks great, but it is purely cosmetic and not really functional like a normal tooth. I was so happy to get the implant loaded with my real fake tooth. 😄

I'd say it is better than nothing, but don't expect it to be anything other than cosmetic.

Same experience and reason as Ally De. I ended up not using it even though it was a space that was obvious. Wasn't worth the bother.

Wildchild, I went without a lot too. Only used it if I was going out in public and doing something that didn't involve eating.

Sue, if it's on the bottom, how noticeable is it? Mine was a top incisor so there was no missing that gap. I learned to smile with my lips mostly closed. 😄

Thanks! This is pretty much what I expected.

morz8 -- You're kind to remember my incredible shrinking body, and, I do struggle to keep some upholstery on my bones. (Another note for the Senior Woman's Advice Book: Even the last vestige of female beauty -- the decolletage -- will become bony. You won't be wearing those scoop and vee neck tops.)

Ally Dee -- This is #22, third tooth from the front, not as wide as a molar, but quite 'up front'.

Now I'm wondering how often I'd use a flipper. Will I put it in first thing after breakfast? Wear constantly when not eating? Hmm. I have this 'healing time' to consider if it's worth the trouble and expense. My only usual viewers are DH and family. My teeth have always been dull, and I've financed many dentists' kids' educations. I'm 'pre-floride' and had an extreme case of chicken pox. I already hide my smile these days.

I appreciate your helping me think about this.

I'm wondering if the problems some of you describe are the result of sub-par work in producing the hardware rather than an issue about the type of device being used. Both my mother and my father had removable devices they called "bridges" to fill a gap or two each had about halfway back. They put them in when they got up in the morning and took them out before bedtime.

General dentists these days do perhaps a broader spectrum of services and treatments than they reasonably have the training and skill to do. Why? There's more money to be made doing the more involved procedures than can be made doing dental exams and filling cavities. Proper fitting involves comfortably restoring cosmetic appearance as well as restoring function. If both don't happen, the work wasn't properly done

Flippers are generally meant to be a temporary (cheap) fix while waiting for a permanent solution. They aren't as sturdy as partials or bridges.

Then why wouldn't the dentist have recommended a removable bridge? Is that something different?

Maybe because they don't know how to make one or make one that is intended to be other than temporary?

Chisue says in her OP that she is not interested in having a bridge fitted or implants. I think I understand where she is coming from. Too much time at the doctors already.

Good question Elmer. I surmise cost but that's just a guess. My flipper only cost $300. It is truly just a cheap cosmetic fix. It looks really good (they matched my teeth color and shape perfectly - it looked very much like a normal tooth) but offers no real functionality.

Bridges and partials are sturdy. But they cost a lot more too.

I don't know for sure but wouldn't it seem that the fitting process would be similar but that the bigger difference between a temp versus a permanent removable one would be how it's made - what techniques, what materials used, durability, etc.

Something one can't chew with would hardly qualify as useful. I'm going to stick with that more likely describes something poorly fitted and poorly made. Unless, in the case of something made to go over a recently set post that will have a permanent prosthesis when the bone heals, perhaps the purpose of the device is to prevent a chewing force being placed on the bare post.

Yall are clueless about the life of someone with MM. All of this is really unimportant to someone who has to meter their strength.

Gee, thanks Patriciae. I was just trying to help. 🙁

Well of course. I just know where I would be coming from in her place. Dont feel bad for a suggestion. I have a sister with MM and it is exhausting.

Yeah, ally de, I thought that was a random comment too. Does it take more of a patient's strength to be fitted by a capable dentist than by a crappy one?

I have a close friend who's a dental specialist who does restorations only. Patients needing from one tooth to all teeth replacements. He knows about and applies most all materials and techniques available for such work and chooses which on a case-by-case basis, depending on what's needed. A prosthodontist.

As I do with others I know, I like to ask people to tell me about what they do and what unique things they experience. This guy has told me, more than a few times, that a big chunk of his work (maybe about 1/3) involves fixing what other dentists have scr*wed up. Mostly by doing things they lacked knowledge and experience with.

That was what I based my comment on. And my reference to several comments suggesting they were the recipients of sub-par work. A one in three likelihood measured by the experience of the guy I know.

Thanks to you all for your help and concern.

My dentist offered an implant, a bridge, or this flipper thing.

If I had many years ahead of me -- and if I wanted to expend my limited energy in 'the chair' -- and if I hadn't been given that darn Zometa, with it's jaw necrosis risk -- I would not be considering a flipper.

Thanks to the generous input here, I think I'll just skip the flipper as well!

I hope that Zometa doesn't have further nasty plans for me.

For what it's worth Sue, I think you've made the right call. I was trying to give you pure facts without pushing you in any direction - and then felt bad that perhaps my input wasn't wanted, or useful, or something.

I don't think the flipper would add much value for you. The only thing going for it is that it is pretty cheap (in the grand scheme of things) and so if you got it and then didn't like it or use it, it's not the end of the world from a finance standpoint.

My mother had MM as well. Hers remained reasonably well controlled for a long time, and had no role in her cause of passing. I wish you that same good luck, and take care.

Chisue completely off topic and I apologize if too personal. Obviously don't have to answer at all. Maybe your Dr could give you Xgeva injections instead of zometa? That's what my husband has been getting.

Ally De -- Thanks for the encouragement. I had never heard of MM until I was diagnosed. Now I see the foundation listed for bequests in obits. My DM died of leukemia at 73, before there was life-extending treatment for most blood cancers. (Doctors say there is no inherited link.)

katlan -- You're kind to offer that. We've had quite a discussion of bone-strengthening products here recently. If I were younger, and without the MM, I'd consider another product. DH was started on Fosamax recently without any problems so far.

FWIW, my father in law, years ago, he had a front tooth that was I guess you'd call a "flipper". It was like a denture but only had the one tooth on it. I never knew he had this false tooth until many years after I had known him. It looked completely real.

Now I'm wondering if there is a dental appliance like a bridge, but removable? I think my DM had something on wires that she could take out at night. I don't think this was merely cosmetic, but useful for chewing.

That was what I was describing that my parents had many years ago.

Try calling a prosthodontist's office and ask.

Have you considered a less invasive "Maryland Bridge"

Thanks, Elmer and MDLN. I'll look into this. If it doesn't require a lot of prep, that might work.