Dental Implants or something else.

[Swerving]

I've got a denture and it feels horrible - like a big lump of chewing gum behind my upper front teeth. I have to keep taking it out to remove the debris behind it and over the weeks the fit is getting looser.

I have only had it in for about 6-7 weeks and when the gums settled down from the extraction, my dentist is going to have a chat to see what I want to do next. The two missing teeth are the eye tooth and the one behind it.

The rest of my teeth are fine. No probs with gums or teeth.

Would like to hear of any experience of implants - if they would be ideal and long lasting, what could go wrong, and how do I shop around for a good dentist and a good price. My dentist doesnt do it but would refer me. He reckons around £2grand each!! Thats a huge amount so am wondering where I can get it done for less or if there is an alternative to the denture?

[Pedallleur]

Implants involves pain/drilling/screwing/stitches hence the cost. Prob.best to google the procedure to see what you have to endure

[OpheliaBumps]

I had implants after I lost my 2 front teeth (damaged in childhood, crowned repeatedly until there was no stump left to re-crown eventually.

I love my implants, they are just like normal teeth!

The process is long winded, an op to place the titanium into your jawbone, this has to bed in then you are measured, implants made and fitted. It took about 2-3 months in total I think.

I had a reaction to the bone graft/membrane and little bits of it are still emerging through my gum after 6 months, but even despite this I would recommend it.

I hated smiling/photos while I had my denture, whereas now it's not a problem!

[Putthatbookdown]

i have heard you can get the new things much cheaper abroad but no experience myself

[jgbmum]

I have 1 implant, it was expensive, but it's fab. I have had mine about 4 years now and had no problems at all. My (then) dentist recommended a specialist, and the whole process was very trouble free. The only pain I had was for about an hour between having the op, and getting home before taking the very strong painkillers the dentist prescribed.
Not sure where you live, but I would highly recommend my Dentist in Bath. PM if you like.

[NanTheWiser]

You could consider having a bridge. I have two upper teeth (R1 and R2) on a bridge with the teeth either side as crowned abutments. I also have no molars in the upper jaw, and have a denture to supply those - went to a very expensive denture specialist, as I wanted a really good fit that wouldn't compromise the bridge.

I've had the bridge for about 10 years (cost about £800 at the time, cheaper than implants), but they do take about 6 months from start to finish, similar to implants. You are fitted with a "temporary" bridge to start with, (acrylic), and once your gums have settled down, the permanent brdge is fitted.

[Swerving]

Nan mine was a crown that, like Ophelia kept coming loose, stump cracked then got infected after being put back 4th time.

Erm? where does the bone graft/membrane come in? Do they all need one?
I didnt fancy the idea of Googling and looking at the dentists view of things but maybe I had better know whats involved. at bits coming out!

jgbmum I'm in Birmingham. Bath would be a lot closer than going overseas.
I have heard that implants are much much cheaper in India or Poland but I worry if anything went wrong I'd have to get back out there agan to get it sorted. (and realistically cost of travel could be better put onto the cost of implants in UK instead).

[OpheliaBumps]

You might not need a bone graft/membrane - I think it depends how old/severe the damage was that led to you losing the tooth.

If there isn't enough bone to hold the titanium firmly you get a bone graft during the op where they place the titanium in your jaw. The membrane covers the bone graft (I think) and dissolves eventually. They warn you that it'll be painful but I found it less painful than I expected. The other thing is you have a week of a soft diet, so you don't damage your jaw/stitches while it heals.

Honestly it's not as bad as it sounds with the bits coming out, it's tiny little fragments, about 1mm in size, if that! Also I don't think it's common, I think I'm just a bit weird (I have potential autoimmune issues so it could be related to that).

I'm glad I didn't go abroad, my stitches took a while to dissolve so it was good to get reassurance from my dentist that everything was fine, also when the bits came out of my gum I could go straight back to him to check everything was ok. He also did a great handover to my normal dentist so my support felt seamless, which I don't think would be the same if you go abroad.

If you go to see an implant dentist they will explain the full procedure including the bit about bone graft, mine was great about explaining the whole procedure.

[rainbowinthesky]

Not worth going abroad for one implant. I have 2 and cost 2 grand each but worth every penny.

[silverfrog]

I've had an implant.

I had to have a bone graft (long story, but due to an infection under a filling which I'd had rumbling on for years the bone hadworn/eroded away)

all in all, it took 18 months for the implant in total. but a lot of that was because I had extreme issues with getting childcare (dd1 is severe ASD), so had to work appts around that.

the procedure is not pleasant, imo. but bearable. and the result worth it - a new tooth, essentially. no gaps, no extra lumpy bits. just need to take a bit more care wrt the gums at that point, as no natural bond to the "tooth" iyswim, but that is easily dealt with by flossing/interdental brushes.

if it weren't for the expense, i would consider having a few more done (I have really bad teeth) - all my front teeth are misaligned and filled - would have them replaced in an instant if I had the cash.

[canei22]

Can anyone reccommend a good implant dentist in London?