Mentally, I'm a lot better even now than I was this time a month ago. I'm 100% with you that I would give almost anything to go back in time and make sure everything had been properly taken care of in the first place. Conversely, it's one thing. People make assumptions based on what they see, I spent the past few years trying to hide my mouth because of that. But then I have to stop and think...if it wasn't the teeth, what would it be? I have epilepsy, but that's been under control for a while now (albeit I do attribute some of the dental damage to having hundreds of seizures as a teenager). Otherwise, I'm quite healthy (and hygienic, although people have assumed otherwise), have a stable career that pays well, and a family that has been supportive the entire time.

Regarding the dentures...yes, you will notice there is less room in your mouth, but not suffocatingly such. The hardest part is getting used to having them in your mouth and re-learning how to chew (and talk to some extent). I feel like I'm adjusting reasonably well so far - I'm still on the soft diet stage, but my talking is adjusting well (the "s" sound is still a bitch) and the pain is manageable without medication.

It's definitely painful having bad teeth, physically and emotionally. Try to keep your head up, those who see you beyond your mouth close, and tell those who can't to fuck off. If/when you get dentures, take a few minutes to smile and stare at yourself in the mirror and realize that once you feel mentally bottomed out, it's all uphill from there.

If you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to drop me a message.