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AIBU?

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Original poster

To pay £4,000 for a tooth.

111 replies

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 17:06

My first molar is missing and I'm a bit conscious of it plus it's the main tooth I would use to chew with. It's going to cost £4,000 to get an implant and sinus lift which is also needed.
I'm getting a loan out to cover it.
If I told anyone they would probably think I was mad for spending that on a tooth but my only other option is to have a gap or wear a denture which I really don't fancy.
If it was you,, would you leave it with the gap or would you pay the money to get it sorted permanently? Would the first molar being missing bother you?
Curious to see what the opinions are.

OP posts:
TheRoseBee · 10/05/2025 20:30

my dad had dental work in Spain and it's been fine.

TheBlueUniform · 10/05/2025 20:25

I wouldn’t bother at all. I wouldn’t even pay £4k for a front one so definitely not a molar. I’d get a bridge

WhySoManySocks · 10/05/2025 20:21

Spend it. It’s a better use of money than almost anything else I can think of.

myotheraccountsa · 10/05/2025 20:18

Where do you go if you get it done abroad? I'd be worried...

IReallyNeedThisToWork · 10/05/2025 20:18

I would definitely do it!!

I am mid process with 4 implants right now and cost me £3k. Not in the UK obviously!!

JadeSeahorse · 10/05/2025 20:17

I'm 69 now but back when I was in my early 30's I had my first upper molar replaced as a bridge. Never had an issue with it although implants seem the preferred alternative these days but much more expensive.

If an implant was the only possible alternative -they didn't exist 40 years ago as far as I'm aware - I certainly would pay but I would investigate a bridge if possible. I know dentists don't like grinding down the adjoining teeth these days but I have 2 bridges and never ever had any problems with them.

fatgirlswims · 10/05/2025 20:15

I had a front tooth implant and I do not regret it at all. Best thing after laser eye surgery. You are worth it x

exitlight · 10/05/2025 20:09

I paid £3.5k for mine in my late twenties, implant, crown and bone graft, no regrets. It’s a side of my smile, maybe halfway back one on the upper row, still looks great and feels really ‘solid’.

ElfAndSafetyBored · 10/05/2025 20:08

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:07

Sorry I should have said, ,it's in my upper teeth so definitely more noticable than if it was in my lower teeth

Really? Surely lower is more noticeable when you talk?

ElfAndSafetyBored · 10/05/2025 20:07

I would do it if I were in my thirties, it bothered me and I had the money available.

I wouldn’t get a loan to do it unless it was absolutely interest free.

I wouldn’t do it now, in my fifties, unless it was a front one.

I’d probably not bother if it were a back one anyway unless it really made eating difficult or food got stuck in it.

Original poster
Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:07

Sorry I should have said, ,it's in my upper teeth so definitely more noticable than if it was in my lower teeth

OP posts:
Original poster
Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:06

My parents are old school and I just know if I told them they would be flabbergasted at me paying that amount!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:05

It does seem ridiculously expensive for one tooth but it's either that or have a gap forever. Even my current boyfriend who I've only been with a few months , I don't know if he's noticed it but I always prefer him to be on the other side of me so that he doesn't notice so that in itself would show that I'm paranoid about it.
I do have an implant on my other side and it's just been amazing, it was £2000 at the time and I didn't need a sinus lift.
I would worry about going abroad as I just wonder how/why do they do things so much cheaper over there.

OP posts:
CleverMintHedgehog · 10/05/2025 20:01

I’m just about to spend £2k on a re-treatment of a failed root canal and crown. I was considering just having it out and paying for an implant. The initial root canal did last me 25 years though so I’m kind of hopeful it’s worth it. First molar, too. I’m missing both first molars on the bottom and left the gaps, but was considering implants.

roundtable · 10/05/2025 19:42

We've just paid similar for dh's tooth. It took a while as it's done in stages. How do they do it on a two week holiday? Well worth it and you wouldn't know it wasn't his tooth.

ILoveMyCaravan · 10/05/2025 19:40

I’ve just had 4 dental implants because it was seriously affecting my ability to chew. However I’ve had them done in Spain, just over £4K for all of them…

thenightsky · 10/05/2025 19:37

Do it. I'm missing the same. Both top. One each side. Its ruined all my photos from DD's wedding last year. Gutted I'd not sorted it years ago. 😩

C8H10N4O2 · 10/05/2025 19:31

I paid £4k for two implants (smaller teeth at front) some years ago after aging crowns failed.

Worth every penny and if faced with the same problem again where the option was false tooth, bridge or implant I’d pay up for implants without hesitation. Its the nearest you will get to having “real” teeth where the dead teeth need to be replaced.

Notgoingtohappen · 10/05/2025 18:56

Yes I paid similar a few years ago. Have never regretted it.

Zanatdy · 10/05/2025 18:55

Do it, I had a tooth removed from the middle / back and didn’t pay for an implant, now my teeth have moved and so wonky

Allseeingallknowing · 10/05/2025 18:55

Whammyyammy · 10/05/2025 17:24

I paid £26,000 for all on 4 implants in the UK. No more dentist bills, toothache....

They still need care and maintenance at the dentist.
No wonder people go abroad. Ican understand why it costs less abroad but the difference is enormous!

LauritaEvita · 10/05/2025 18:50

This is one of those things it’s worth spending on without question. I paid about that for a brace and paid it off in instalments over a few years. Your teeth affect your speech, smile, overall face shape, eating etc. if you’re confident that what your dentist is suggesting is the best way to deal with it, I’d go for it.

Anewdawnanewname · 10/05/2025 18:10

100% I’d do it, although I probably would look and see if it could be done abroad first. But if it was the only option, I’d pay it.

User46576 · 10/05/2025 17:36

Yes - I would pay. I have a dental implant and it was worth the money

Snickersnack1 · 10/05/2025 17:36

£4k is half my savings but I’d pay it.