Had a dental implant, second in less than two years

[question everything]

both where I had root canals. My dentist says that is not uncommon, he was surprised that, at least one of them was relatively new - nine years. Yet, I have had gum disease for as long as I remember and had several gum surgeries there.

The second has been around 20 years.

Since I first had to wait for the area to heal, had to wait four month for the implant. And then three months for the crown. So I am surprised when I see all the ads that can do everything in one day. Implant and crown.

My dentist only said that they are not "a sham" but of course disagree. One cannot talk much with a dentist when one's mouth is open..

Both are in the back of the mouth, not seen when I talk. But there is only one tooth, in both cases, between the new empty space and the cheek - no wisdom teeth - and I am told that, in time, the lonely teeth may start migrating, or just bending so decided to go ahead.

Dental insurance pays 50% for the crown, but not for the implant. Yes, out of pocket. Oh well..

[MFM008]

1. Dental in this country

Is a disgrace.
I cant even afford insurance.

[at140]

3. I had dental insurance from Humana Dental...

I think the cost was $35 to join, and then $15/month. I needed the insurance to get a set of partials,
and it saved me around $2000 out of $3800 total cost without insurance. I get routine cleaning for a small co-pay.

I like the partials, I can chew most stuff without discomfort. Only problem is sometimes food gets under the lower partial.

I fitted the partials myself, with aprox 100 minute filing episodes with a nail file. Now they fit perfect,
and so easy to put on. Dentist did the initial fitting in 2 free visits, but there is no way a dentist can fine tune the fit.

[MFM008]

8. Thanks for the info

[TreasonousBastard]

2. At one point in the past I just said the hell with it and got a set...

of plastic teeth. Pulled the remaining ones out and got me set of false teeth,

They work pretty well, look good, and have no pain, problems, or bills since.

To each his own, though. Tried to convince my mother of that years ago, but she went the expensive route. And kept paying.

[Maxheader]

12. I'm about at that point on the lowers...

Just had a canine pulled..tooth added to the partial..

[blueinredohio]

4. I had gum surgery then ended up

having most of my teeth capped and in the end lost them anyway. Ended up with dentures.

[Mosby]

5. I'm going to need some implants soon

But I'm going to Mexico, Los Algodones.

Dental care in the US is a crime, costs have gone up even more that medical care.

[Maxheader]

13. Do you have any concerns...

I've thought about going to Mexico for some implants..but wondered
how problems that came up with them in kansaas would be handled?
Too far away to travel back and forth...But if the ones out of country
are "warrantied" for a year, I'd hate to lose that by going to a local
dentist...Does that make sense?

[Ron Obvious]

6. Mine cost me $3,100 so far

And that's just for the implant -- not the crown yet. I also had to wait for four months for everything to heal (it has), and have an appt for next week for the crown to be fitted.

It's the tooth to the left of my front two, so I'll be delighted to have a crown on there. I have a "flipper" in the meantime, but it never did fit right and made me lisp, so I rarely wore it and just keep my upper lip down to hide the huge hole in my teeth. It's made me very self-conscious.

Next time I'm going to Mexico. A friend of mine just had 16 teeth capped there for $10,000 or so.

[COLGATE4]

7. I've had sevefal implants done. The first were done in the

manner you report. The latest have been done on the "one day" basis where the implant base is placed and then a temporary crown is immediately placed, to be there until healing (3-5 months) takes place. The only restriction is not chewing on chewy or tough foods. I have found no difference between the two, except that having the 'new' tooth placed in one day is marvelous!

[mitch96]

9. I don't know about other parts of the country but they are thieves down here in Florida

I had a loose tooth from gum disease. The periodontist looked in my mouth and saw two alimony payments, a car payment and a house payment.. One bad tooth and he wanted to take out four.. You don't need them anyway (back molars) was his comment.
The office manager said it was all covered by my Humana plan.. I doubted him so I called Humana. They said only one extraction per year is covered. I know the game. You sign the agreement which in teeny tiny print says if the insurance does not cover the extractions YOU are responsible... fuckers.
I now go to the dental college and let the students work on me.. No problems so far and fairly reasonable. I'm now waiting for my implant appointment and 3 month cleaning.. YMMV and works for me
m

[Mosby]

10. it's really out of control

You can make more now as a dentist that a cardiologist.

[question everything]

11. Many years ago, when we started out with not much money

I, too, went to the dental school. They did a nice job.

Your dentist does sound like something..

[chahin1982]

15. Thank you

Thank you for this valuable information