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Ineeda

(3,626 posts)
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:26 PM May 2016

Anyone have experience with getting/having dental implants?

This might be in my future and I'm looking for unbiased information. I've had a couple of non-related health procedures in the last few years that have not had optimum results. I'm leery of another bad-news event, but if there's good results, it could have a hugely positive impact on my life. Thanks in advance.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Anyone have experience with getting/having dental implants? (Original Post) Ineeda May 2016 OP
I think if you can afford them, it is the way to go instead of bridges. LiberalArkie May 2016 #1
My brother is in the process of having some implants done CentralMass May 2016 #2
Be wary of upper implants. There is not much bone there. Lower implants don't carry this concern. Kip Humphrey May 2016 #3
Mine were uppers Brainstormy May 2016 #18
Sister had to have hers redone dorkzilla May 2016 #4
My brother has been going through this procedure for a year so far. pacalo May 2016 #5
I have two, and they're excellent Skittles May 2016 #6
I have 5 implants (three on the top, two on the bottom) kdmorris May 2016 #7
I like my implants WhiteTara May 2016 #8
I just had 2 implants for a bridge that broke womanofthehills May 2016 #9
I am fortunate enough to have one of the best. My cousin's office. Gregorian May 2016 #10
do they use cadaver bone? mopinko May 2016 #14
I think mine was, but can't say for sure. It may have been a combination of things. Gregorian May 2016 #16
my dentist said it was animal bone womanofthehills Jul 2016 #19
Six here, TheCowsCameHome May 2016 #11
Thank you all so much! Ineeda May 2016 #12
I have a couple of implanted molars . Laffy Kat May 2016 #13
It's long and expensive, but BlueMTexpat May 2016 #15
Front incissors implanted twelve years ago Brainstormy May 2016 #17
I had a good experience lola3 -_. Aug 2016 #20
I have 2 uppers and they are great. leftyladyfrommo Aug 2016 #21

CentralMass

(15,265 posts)
2. My brother is in the process of having some implants done
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:30 PM
May 2016

He has had the bone graft done stateside but is most likely going to have the implants done in Costa Rica.

dorkzilla

(5,141 posts)
4. Sister had to have hers redone
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:37 PM
May 2016

Mother had to have hers removed when she got cancer, ex FIL got a terrible infection from one of his that may have lead to a heart infection that killed him.

Also apparently its NOT a good idea if you smoke apparently, so talk to your dentist if you do.

Also I think the new thing if you have many teeth missing is to have 2 implanted "anchor" teeth with a bridge that snaps in.

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
5. My brother has been going through this procedure for a year so far.
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:39 PM
May 2016

Apparently, as you get older the bone mass declines & has to be built back up with grafts before proceeding with the implants.

It's expensive but my brother feels like it's worth it.

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
6. I have two, and they're excellent
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:49 PM
May 2016

just like regular teeth

minimal pain, except for the price

make sure the dentist is aware of your health history

kdmorris

(5,649 posts)
7. I have 5 implants (three on the top, two on the bottom)
Tue May 10, 2016, 06:53 PM
May 2016

Two of them are in the frontish and were filled by a partial denture before.

I hated the denture and, though my implants were expensive, they were worth every penny in the self-esteem boost it gave me.

I inherited crappy enamel from my mother (ameliogenesis imperfecta) and this led to a greater than normal number of cavities, which I couldn't afford to have filled, so they became teeth that needed root canals and then extracted teeth.

There are so many perjoratives thrown around about low class or stupid people that involve having missing teeth. It was awful when I had missing teeth and having the implants allows me to have a smile just like having real teeth.

If you can afford it, it's totally worth the investment. (they offered bridges, but they have to grind down two perfectly good teeth on either side of the gap to fill it, so, for me, that was really my last option).

Good luck!!

WhiteTara

(29,676 posts)
8. I like my implants
Tue May 10, 2016, 07:00 PM
May 2016

they look like real teeth and I have had no trouble with them. I had 2 teeth that were replaced and my surgeon implanted one post with 2 prongs so that I only had to pay slightly more for the 2 teeth rather than just one. I need a second implant, but am going for a night guard so I won't grind one of my teeth out of my head. I just got back from the dentist.

Make sure you get a GOOD surgeon for the implant and a GOOD dentist for the crown. My first implant had to be replaced because it didn't fit right and they made a second one that is perfect (no additional cost) The lab sent their tech to the dentist office and she matched my teeth perfectly to my others.

I don't smoke so that may be why I am having such good success. My sister had to have her implant removed and now has a denture (she smokes like a chimney)

womanofthehills

(8,579 posts)
9. I just had 2 implants for a bridge that broke
Tue May 10, 2016, 07:01 PM
May 2016

The expense is the main problem. The price off the wall. I chose to go to an oral surgeon for the implants and a regular dentist for the bridge.

I was not put out - just had a local in my jaw and it was painless. When the surgeon pulled my teeth, he built up my bone and I had to wait 3 months for the implants. It only takes a minute to drill an implant. Had to wait months for it to heal before getting the bridge which I just got 2 weeks ago. Five minutes after having the bridge put in, it felt just like my own teeth. I was so fearful, but it was so easy.

If you need an implant near your sinus, you might need a sinus lift which is even more expensive. I would only have an oral surgeon do this.

Gregorian

(23,867 posts)
10. I am fortunate enough to have one of the best. My cousin's office.
Tue May 10, 2016, 07:11 PM
May 2016

It ended up I needed half my mouth done, after breaking a tooth, and being told there was nothing there to attach to. So the long process began, was rough, and I have a beautiful mouth.

My cousin is a perfectionist. He's as much a doctor as any physician I've known if not better. He was a prof at UCSF for years. One of the first to do implants. So I asked a lot of questions. He said to stay away from the all in one day procedures. I had to have bone put in first. But I should back up. Even the experience of knowing which teeth could stay is an important part of this. After going through it I am fortunate to have had it done perfectly. So I was quite a long time with just bone and most implants. There was infection (duh) and it was decided that some should wait. One later failed when putting everything together. Rather than go through it again on one tooth, I opted for a bridge. I'd be very careful choosing a doctor. Big metro areas with universities give some insurance against poorer practices.

Without implants the body loses bone where the tooth should have been. So if it's a choice between something else, implants are preferred, I think.

So he took it in stages that lasted altogether about two years. Ugh. And it's like $3500 a tooth, as you probably know.

Alright, time for some sunlight. Good luck. Use a waterpik.

TheCowsCameHome

(40,163 posts)
11. Six here,
Tue May 10, 2016, 07:18 PM
May 2016

to support dentures.

Expensive? You bet. Worth it? Absolutely.

Be sure to find a thoroughly qualified prosthodontist and skilled oral surgeon.

Ineeda

(3,626 posts)
12. Thank you all so much!
Tue May 10, 2016, 07:34 PM
May 2016

(I wish there were a "reply all" function)
Anyway, judging from your responses, it seem like implants are in my future. I'm terrified, but I'm sure it's the right decision unless the $$$ is too prohibitive. I already know they're expensive but I have a limit. Thanks again.

BlueMTexpat

(15,349 posts)
15. It's long and expensive, but
Wed May 11, 2016, 07:48 AM
May 2016

if you have no health conditions that argue against such a procedure and can afford it, it's well worth it.

I've only had one implant and it took me about a year and a half to get completely through the process. But that was largely due to my weird travel schedule that the doctors had to work around. It wouldn't have taken nearly so long otherwise.

I panicked a bit after the bone implant because the surgeon had inserted a "flipper" for me to use while waiting for the area to heal and the placement of the actual crown. Because I was so woozy after the surgery, I had forgotten to ask how or whether to take the "flipper" in and out for cleaning. They may have told me, but as I said, I was pretty out of it.

Anyway, the I-net was a great help and I managed just fine!

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/procedures/flipper-teeth.htm

lola3 -_.

(4 posts)
20. I had a good experience
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 05:17 AM
Aug 2016

Last edited Tue Sep 6, 2016, 06:50 AM - Edit history (1)

My decision to undergo a dental implant was not bad. It was four months before that I underwent this treatment. It was my boyfriend's suggestion to undergo dental implant ( http://www.pearldentalburlington.com/dental_implants ) at Pearl dental in Burlington. I didn't have any idea regarding the possibilities or the positive impact that could make in my face. This treatment helped me in getting good old days. I met with an accident and lost my front teeth. My man expected the way I am even after this. But I lost all the confidence I had and never wanted to be with my friends or wanted to be alone as I felt inferior to others. This treatment really helped me get back my good old days.

leftyladyfrommo

(18,816 posts)
21. I have 2 uppers and they are great.
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 05:24 PM
Aug 2016

The surgery to put them in wasn't a lot of fun but I really like the results. I haven't had any problems with them and its been several years now.

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