Dentaltown July 2018 - 45

from UCLA and others have shown this can be done, even in adults, if you know how), or even
getting them on nasal rinses, etc., then the reflex gagging either goes away or at least becomes
minimal. We do this regularly on both adults and children. ■
4/7/2018

Gagging is called a "reflex" but that's not actually true-it's a response, not a reflex. A reflex
is completely uncontrollable, like when they bang on your knee with the rubber hammer and
the leg jerks up. Or something gets close to your eye and you flinch.
Gagging can clearly be controlled-these people eat, so it's not just anything in their mouth
that triggers it. There are very likely psychological roots to it for many. I'm happy that there
are folks who are willing to try and work these people through this. For me, I gave up on the
severe gagger years ago. I have neither the inclination or the luxury of the time. I cannot try to
do an upper denture for $750 or $800 and spend appointment after appointment trying to ease
someone through this. Just isn't financially possible in the PPO world. ■

Timmy G
Member Since: 04/14/02
Post: 25 of 31

4/9/2018

I charge $1,900 and wouldn't be able to make a profit on a gagger, because there is no profit
after a refund. It's not to be mean-it's just that there is no way that gagger will be able to wear
a denture. Especially if the gagging is very strong.
You could tell them to see a shrink to get help with the gagging reflex, but in my area, any
time I tried to mention a shrink, people take it as an insult and never come back. It's almost
as bad as telling them that they grind. It's like the biggest insult ever. At this point I am like
Timmy. I don't get into it. ■

eeznogood
Member Since: 02/23/06
Post: 28 of 31

4/9/2018

My DA's dad needed an upper partial (only 6-11 remained) and a full lower denture. He
had a severe gag reflex, but I promised I'd try my best. He gagged while trying to take mandibular impressions and when trying to ext maxillary posteriors. We worked our way through each
appointment with a lot of difficulty. HurriCaine helped a little when taking impressions with fastset PVS. I just did my best with the bite reg appt, didn't promise much regarding bite or aesthetics.
I had to redesign the PUD with a horseshoe-shape framework, no palatal strap. I delivered
them and didn't hold my breath that he would ever be able to tolerate them for longer than
5 seconds. I was pleasantly surprised when a couple weeks later my DA said he was now able to
wear them all the time!
Some other tips: Try making a denture with a metal palate. This is a lot thinner than traditional acrylic and can have good retention. Also, you can just remove the whole palate and tell
them they will just need to wear a lot of adhesive. ■

anygren77
Member Since: 10/30/16
Post: 30 of 31

4/9/2018

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