To ask about dental implants?

[hellokittymania]

Has anyone had implants and can you tell me if the process was difficult or not? How long did each visit take? I have a very good prosthodontist at the moment and I am considering asking her about doing implants. I have several teeth missing, have just had to root canals in two days and lots more to be done including another possible Extraction.

Were you able to eat meat and other hard foods with your implants? Please tell me the good the bad and the ugly. I have been researching as much as I can, but would like to know from people who have already had implants.

[Chottie]

I have two implants and I have no problems with either. The process of having implants does take some time as there are several stages. Luckily I had enough bone density in my jaw, so did not have to have a procedure to build up bone density before the implant work.

Hand on heart, it did not hurt at all. I had them done by the dentist and I followed the after care information given to the letter. I can eat most things. I would not open bottles or crack nuts with any of my teeth, but I eat meat ok.

The only draw back is that implants are expensive. I live in the south east and they cost over two grand each, but I did not want gaps or dentures.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

[LightYears]

That's serious money isn't it. Are they for life or just so many years?

[Greaterthanthesumoftheparts]

I have one right at the back. Eat everything but I guess it might be different if you had one at the front. Procedure was fine, I had a problem with my lips cracking because it was difficult to reach way in the back and I have a small mouth. But the drilling was fine as was the fitting etc.

[WeddingsAreStressful]

I have one at the back. It looks good and it didn't really hurt. Had it 6 years now and no problems at all. Totally worth it.

[WeddingsAreStressful]

They are supposed to last at least 20-25 years

[Chottie]

LightYears my dentist said for life, with regular check ups (twice a year and two dental hygienist visits) and good dental hygiene.

[LightYears]

Just shows how strong real teeth are. Some people have them for 80 odd years.

[Chottie]

I ought to add that I am older, so life for me, is probably not as long as a lot of you :) )

[SlB09]

Husband just had one, had to have bone scan to check if density was ok to have implant, then xrays and images to check position of the nerve in the area. Another appointment for extraction. Another appointment 4-6 weeks later to drill hole and cap/stitch in bar to bone and gum. Another appointment 2 weeks later to check site. Another appointment 2 weeks later to fix in top of implant. No pain at all and he is an absolute wus! Did cost a pretty penny though

[LightYears]

That's great if they do last that long. I suppose the dentist has to give the minimum to cover themselves. Same with caps, may dentist gave me a minimum duration. Hopefully longer though, they're dear enough, lol.

[hellokittymania]

I might need one in the front of it snapped the other day touring a root canal. It has a post at the moment but the last time I had a post on another root canal tooth. The polSt fell off after three weeks. I have very bad teeth and don't think a bridge would work as I have a filling on one side of this tooth and a root canal and filling on the other side of that tooth

Another thing I would like to ask is did you get the implant right away? I have had a gap for a few years already where one tooth was pulled. So don't know if an implant would be possible there

[hellokittymania]

What is the bone density procedure like? I've never even heard of that.

[honeylulu]

I have implants as I lost 5 front teeth in an RTA age 13. I was 30 by the time I had saved up enough for implants and had lost bone density.
The procedure to insert the implants was quite long and bloody. I was very scared but it honestly wasn't painful. I then had a period of about 6 months (wore a dental plate on top of the implants) to build up density. I only had one week where I had to leave the plate out for healing so I just took took that week off work.
Once there was enough density he put titanium screws into the implants and applied a bridge. I have 3 implants supporting a bridge of 5 teeth.
I was so happy I could have cried. I was so self conscious about the plate. I was so happy to be able to throw back my head and laugh!
I've had it now for nearly 13 years. It has come loose and been re-cemented 3 times but I've always had warning!
Coincidentally I went for a check up today and my dentist said technology has moved on and most bridges now screw in and are even more secure so I might look at that in future.
It was expensive!! I think about 8k even in 2004. Well worth it though, second only to laser eye surgery.
Please pm me if you want.

[hellokittymania]

And another thing, or are you awake during the implant surgery or did you have to be sedated,? I am OK if I have a good audiobook to listen to or something to distract me but I really don't want to be sedated. I am a nervous patient, mostly because of the injection But once that is over and I have a good book I can go for hours and be OK.

[honeylulu]

I was awake. I had the option to pay for GA but it was an extra 1k!!
I am a very anxious patient but I did cope!

[hellokittymania]

Do you remember how long each appointment took more or less? What was the longest? What was the after care like? I have a visual impairment so if I do this I might need to ask my dentist to actually help with the aftercare. Did you have to take out the plate by yourself? I can't really picture what the plate is like.

[honeylulu]

The plate I referred to was a denture I had originally after losing the teeth. After the implants it was replaced with a fixed bridge that doesn't come out iyswim.
It sounds like you have only lost one tooth so will be much more straightforward for you. Also the science has moved on a lot!

[SlB09]

Bone density - a quick and painless scan around the mouth, abit like an xray
Appointment times:

• initial app 1hour, including consultation, options etc
  
• scans checks, tooth colour matching, shape etc 45 mins
  
• tooth extraction 30mins
  
• gum open, hole drill and rod insert 45 mins at most, under local. Not bloody just like normal dentist app when you spit out bits of blood at the end
  
• post op checks 15 mins
  
• cap/tooth fitting 20-30mins
  

You do need to keep the area very clean but there is no cap to remove its like capped over with a metal 'lid' thats taken off the screw when they come to fit he actual tooth bit.
If youve already had a space for a while the bone density in this area may be reduced anyway but they might suggest removing the two surrounding teeth if they are abit rubbish and putting 3 teeth onto the one screw.
My advice, go andhave a consultation, get prices etc then see what they advise

[Mermaidinthesea123]

I have a dental implant mid left side as you could see the missing tooth when I smiled. had it done at the Brighton implant clinic for £1000, they still do them at that price, they can afford to as they have their own laboratory so keep costs down and they specialise in implants.
It's brilliant 5 years on, no wobbling and I can eat anything.
I had to have bovine bone injections as an infection had given me osteomyelitis of the jaw they were about £100, a sinus lift operation is about £200 and the initial MRI was around £99 I think.
No pain at all, during or after. paid as I went along so cost was spread over 9 months and they don't put a tooth on a back tooth until it's healed and the new bone has settled. Best thing I ever did.

[Bellabooboo]

My DH has a masters in Implantology ask me any questions and I will forward!

[theresnoonequitelikegrandma]

I've just had three implants and it's changed my life! I had a partial denture for over 15 years that I absolutely hated - always terrified of it breaking, didn't fit properly, teeth it depended on started chipping, had to take it out at night (gorgeous!)....but I am dental-phobic so nobody was willing to suggest anything else. After years of having intravenous sedation for any procedure, I found a dentist who worked with me until 'all' I need is one diazepam before an appointment to be able to go through dental work.

I still can't believe it, but I managed to get through all the implant surgery with NO sedation at all! My implantologist (yes, I know it's a made-up title that sounds really naff!) convinced me that all I needed was a movie headset and a film...and he was right!

There was some pain and discomfort afterwards but nothing major and my denture didn't fit properly for just a week before the implants were fitted and that wasn't good...but the difference it has made is incredible! I can smile again...and eat crusty bread!

If I can do it...anyone can! (If you have a few thousand pounds, of course)

[ImNotWhoYouThinkIAmOhNo]

I've had a small plate for over 40 years (I'm late 50s). Do you think my bone density would be good enough?

[Twofurrycats]

I have one implant. Had it for about 9 years now and don't even think about it! I had no problems about bone density and the (badly snapped) tooth was still in place. I paid extra for the oral surgeon doing the implant to do the extraction so it was a more seamless procedure. So it was tooth out, wait a bit, implant and cover in, then check, then tooth on. The actual tooth on was done by a dentist not a surgeon. The worst bit of the whole process was having the impression done! Only had local anaesthesia but I am fairly not bothered by dentists.

[Twofurrycats]

Forgot to add. As well as usual check up every 6 month with NHS dentist I pay to have the implant checked by the original surgeon. Did it after 1 year now go every other year.

[Birdsgottaf1y]

"I've had a small plate for over 40 years (I'm late 50s). Do you think my bone density would be good enough?"

I was fully through the Menopause at 47 when i went for my assessment, mine was fine, but you don't know until you've been assessed.

I have since been very ill couldn't go through with it, but still plan on doing so. As said, it can be overcome.

I had dental surgery and issues,my dentist said that it was better that the 'stumps' of teeth were left in place.

It's your bone density that can dictate how long they last.