Feeling sad and old since lost my front tooth

[Suzsuzzane]

I recently had my front tooth extracted as the cap came off and the actual tooth broke off inside it. The dentist stuck the bit of tooth back in the hole with cement (it apparently had had a root canal previously) as a temporary measure but told me it may fall out again and as my teeth are weak and I've had bad gum disease the only choices are a false tooth or an implant. I managed to get a loan, only just, for an implant but what was quoted as £3,000 has turned into £4,000 what with scans, an temporary denture etc. I'm in Somerset. I'm now in debt. When she done the extraction she had such a job getting it out I wish I'd just left it and took my chances. Now the other front tooth has movement and I'm worried I could lose this one. I would not be able to afford another implant and as id have an implant one side and a weak tooth the other a bridge wouldn't be possible. If I have to have a false tooth anyway then the money I've spent getting this implant feels such a waste, it defeats the object of going through all this if I end up with a false tooth anyway.so I feel so sad, ugly and old. My teeth are gappy anyway so losing any teeth shows. I am a single mum and I can't see that changing if I have false teeth. I just hope I don't lose anymore teeth. It seems so unfair that having nice teeth is not affordable for many and the cost of implants make these not even an option. I'm wondering if I lose this other tooth if there are cheaper places to get an implant or other options as I don't want a false tooth especially after the amount this current implant has cost. Short of winning the lottery, which I don't do, I've no idea what I can do.

I agree it's really shit that good dentistry isn't more accessible and affordable to all. As a single mother I also just cannot afford to get the work done that i need and will have to look at different options. It's depressing, I know.

That sounds really rubbish, OP. I agree dentistry is unaffordable for many in this country and that is shocking. I was at the hygienist a couple of weeks ago and she said many of the patients can’t afford to see her so they get health problems from their teeth. However, I wouldn’t feel too awful about having a false tooth if you have to have one. They are much better these days, though my own bridge at the back kept coming off so I got the dentist to take it out altogether. I don’t miss it and don’t mind the gap too much.

The fact that they are also considering taking away the NHS appointments for children is a real worry. We will have generations of people with dental problems. More and more will go abroad which is where I may end up.

You don’t need 2 implants next to each other. I have 2 teeth on a single implant and you’d never know they are not natural teeth. This is an option for you if your other front tooth needs to be extracted.

Tbf, my NHS dentists fixed my front teeth about a month ago. I had severe staining (which they drilled off) and my upper front teeth were cracked and broken along the bottom. They covered that by building them up with composite. Instant smile I didn’t have to hide anymore. No charge. They're not all bad. The owner of the practice has gone out of his way to fit me and DD in even out of typical hours.

What stage are you at with the implant?

If you next tooth is also loose now, maybe the bone is comprised. You can have two front teeth on one implant. I am sure the dentists would prefer to place two implants for strength, but it's absolutely possible.

So before you have the crown made for the one missing tooth, you should really speak to them about having that loose one take out too. Rather do it now, as crowns are one of the more pricy parts of the procedure. A bridge is going to cost way less now than another implant down the line.

If you read up on the many posts about people who need implants, there seems to be a very strong theme. Most people had a root canal first. Which failed. Not right away, but it is a bit of an eye opener.

No knowledge to add about how your teeth can be sorted but hugs.

I have had so many dental procedures including one at front. Made feel v self conscious and had to borrow money for plate.
Take care x

Just to say I struggle with gum disease and poor teeth. I lost two teeth at the top right side of my mouth and could not afford to pay for implants.
I now have a little plate with two false teeth on, done on the NHS for about £250. I was dreading getting it, feeling old (I’m 50) and insecure. But it’s absolutely fine! I can eat all my usual food, and you really can’t tell at all.
It’s really made a difference, I am confident smiling now and I wasn’t before…

I have awful teeth as I have no NHS dentist and could never afford a private one. The kids had NHS and have lovely
Teeth they take care of - but their NHS would only take children.

I have retired and have a small lump sum. I have just returned from Hungary where I have had 8 teeth painlessly extracted, two sets of temporary but comfortable dentures for £1100. I will return to the clinic 4x more for 2x sinus lift , 12 implants and the rest crowned and bridged. It will take nearly a year as it's done properly. (Not rip them out in a week 'turkey teeth' ) the whole thing will cost €22k but substantially less than the UK.

None of this would have been necessary if I had been able to attend an NHS dentist in the last 8 years. It's yet another sign of Tory's having no understanding that we can't all afford private . Currently, if you put 'find me an NHS dentist' into the NHS app for my
post code you get offered someone in Birmingham 4 hours away !

I'm 'lucky' in that I have the money to see a dentist now. There are millions who don't . It's back door privatisation.

No advice i am afraid but i am in similar position. I lost my front teeth last year due to infection and wearing a partial denture kow. I truly hate it ,people with nice teeth have no idea how bad teeth can affect your life and confidence. I cant have implants( not that i can afford it anyway)as my bone isn't good enough, they can't even do a bone graft.
I have now another infection brewing meaning i will lose another 2 on the side, i have gaps ,crowns and bridges everywhere, i think i have only 2 or 3 teeth that had no intervention from the dentist. I stopped going out except for work as there is not a single minute i don't think about my teeth.

Thank you everyone, its really nice to be able to talk to people as I'm very isolated. With regards to being able to put two front teeth on one implant I did ask about that as the one that has movement is also so crooked. She said no you can't do that and I would have to have a separate post with an implant. That will cost me another £4,000 money I'll never have as since getting the loan I'm now unable to work due to my illness becoming progressively worse and being diagnosed with another rare disorder. It has been a rough time. However, I will ask her again as to me it would be the best solution. I will also ask her about the bone as to be honest I was surprised given my medical history that I didn't need one. With regards to the false one which is temporary that alone cost me £700 as like most people I had to go private as my NHS dentist stopped treating NHS and no one else is taking NHS patients. If it wasn't the front teeth I wouldn't have bothered as spending this money on myself, getting into debt, feels so selfish especially when we struggle. I'm walking about in boots stuck together with gorilla glue rather than spend money on myself so this really has made me uncomfortable but having a plate, even the temporary one, causes pain due to my illness so an implant was my only option but a second one won't be so if I have to have a plate for the next one, if they won't put two teeth on one implant, I'm going to be in a lot of pain all the time unless I leave it out. I can't do that. Until it happens to you no one understands how much distress it causes or how it effects your confidence and impacts your life. Despite this we continue to make it impossible for the average person to access dental treatment.

With regards to being able to put two front teeth on one implant I did ask about that as the one that has movement is also so crooked. She said no you can't do that and I would have to have a separate post with an implant

I promise you, that is exactly what I have, 2 incisor crowns supported on one implant. I did have to have a bone graft. It was done years ago and is still rock solid. She must mean that either there's a reason for not doing it in your case, or it's beyond her competence. Maybe ask her why she says you can't have it. Could you get a second opinion?

I was lucky in that I had mine done by a very experienced implant specialist.

You can have something called a flipper which I suppose is also called a partial but it's more lightweight than that.

It's a shame they make it difficult for adults to get basic care, dental, hearing, vision, etc. when all these things are mandatory for good health.

I am not a dentist, so I do not know for sure if just in your case an extra implant in necessary, but in some instances it is possible.

I have had a fairly long journey and did move to a different implant specialist who was way less rigid in procedures than the first place. The first place would not compromise on anything at all, and I truly believe that it was for financial reasons. When I saw the next specialist, he did say that some places are absolutely against taking any risks, as all implant failures have to be reported. Here there is a benchmark of 2% or 3% which is acceptable, anything over that I don't know what happens but probably the dental council get involved.

So perhaps it is preferable to have two posts, but if you go for a second opinion, you might find someone else is a little bit more flexible with options.

I have a partial plate denture in the meantime (mine are also top front), and although it has been okay as a temporary measure, I am not sure it is something I could live with for life. It needs adjusting quite a lot and is not always comfortable. Just my opinion, if you have been through all of the processes for an implant, there is no way I would be having just one crown on an implant plus a denture.

It has cost me an absolute fortune, so I just felt that if I am paying this amount for the treatment, I should have options and a say in what it is I want too. Obviously within reason of what is possible treatment wise.

I promise you, that is exactly what I have, 2 incisor crowns supported on one implant. I did have to have a bone graft. It was done years ago and is still rock solid.

I think it might be experience although she tends to just keep saying, 'let's focus on this one, the bad one first. We can look at doing the other later'. When I then say well no I can't as I don't have the money for another implant she then takes that as there's nothing more to then discuss and because I've not been sure you could even get two crowns on one implant I've just shut up. I'm now going to try to make her listen she is always in a rush but now I'm going to be a bit more forceful in discussing it. The other thing I was wondering is if you have an implant and then later on you lose the tooth next to it, as right now there is only slight movement in the other front tooth so if I can keep hold of it I'd like to, can you still have two crowns put on one implant or does that have to be done at the time the implant has been done. I'm just wondering as although that might be an expensive way it would be cheaper than another implant later down the line.

Yes your right I get the feeling it's all money oriented as the minute I Said I can't afford another implant she tried to push their financial package which I would not qualify for anyway. I don't want to spend all this money on an implant to end up with a false tooth next to it that would just feel like I have this massive debt for nothing. I have a pain illness so having even the temporary plate on the roof of my mouth has sent constant signals to my messed up nervous system that I'm in agony all the time so living with this long term is not going to be an option I could do but equally like you I couldn't live with it even if I didn't have this illness. I think whilst I'm waiting for the extraction site to heal I will try to talk to her and if I still get nowhere I'm going to find another implant specialist to talk to. I do struggle being forceful but I have only enough money to get this right the first time and not an endless pot they seem to believe I can magically produce. It might not be a lot of money to my dentist but to me trying to find the extra £1,000 I didn't know I would need is proving beyond difficult.

Have you been seen by the specialists at the Bristol Dental Hospital? Maybe they can offer more expertise regarding whether two teeth can
go on one implant? They’re only just a walk away from the BRI.

FGS, don’t do something silly like go to Turkey to get your teeth sorted though. It might be tempting but the chances are you’ll make things 10 x worse. Sorry this is happening to you.

I'm so sorry your going through this it really is horrible to feel this way. Like you I rarely leave the house now. I've always struggled with my teeth since a child as my front tooth was split in half when I was bullied at school and in those days there were not many options and my then dentist cared little about the way it looked so it was discoloured and I was bullied even more for it which is why I didn't get braces as a child. In hindsight I wish I had. Then in later years I contracted two illnesses needing medication which has contributed to my teeth disintegration and now I'm losing teeth. It's horrible as I think people think you are dirty that you don't clean your teeth but nothing could be further from the truth. Now if I leave my house I wrap scarves around my face which is fine whilst its cold but I'm going to look a bit odd when the weather gets better. I also can't see me ever finding a partner now, not that that is a priority but still.....
I really feel for you it's a really awful situation to be in. I don't know if seeing a doctor might be worth doing as there maybe help they can access regarding NHS treatment if its affecting your mental health. It's a long shot but anything is worth a try if there's a chance you could get help. It's so sad that basic things like having teeth is now not even accessible to so many of us. Sending you hugs xx

No I didn't think about any of these options until I joined here. I joined here because I felt so alone and isolated and I've been given loads of great advice. In the last few years my world has turned upside down what with the illnesses,(which I'm really struggling with and have yet more intensive tests, treatments, hospital appointments and admission) my dad, my main support for the kids and I, passing away suddenly, my son collapsing in Italy and ending up in intensive care (although thankfully he recovered) and now this. Its all just taken its toll and being alone makes it that much more harder as you have no one to lean on. Therefore I can't express how grateful I am to everyone here who has offered me advice and support. Thank you. I will look into every recommendation. If I'm honest I had considered going abroad if the other tooth fell out as before I spoke to people here I couldn't see any other way. Although I'm terrified of doing that but the cost in this country is ridiculous and unobtainable.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my message. I can not express how grateful I am for your kind words, support and great advice. Going forward I will now be in a better position to put what I want across and try not to be pushed about. I have finally stopped crying so thank you xx

One last question, I've just been reading another post with some similarities and although I can't change it now I'm starting to wish I'd looked at bridges like Maryland i now feel that my dentist pushed the implant without giving me any other option. I'm so worried about the debt and feeling selfish when I have kids and we struggle for money yet I've let my vanity make me make choices I shouldn't have just because I didn't want a massive gap at the front anywhere else I wouldn't have bothered in fact I haven't. I feel so guilty. Then on top of this in that post people were saying an implant is around £1,200 I wish it was but the places I looked at in my area were in the £4,000 for one and the dentist I'm using was cheaper or so I thought by £1,000. Have I been an idiot with price as well. I'm really starting to stress and doubt my decisions now.

I lost 3 front teeth in my mid-20s and have worn a denture since - it isn't an NHS plastic denture.

After the best part of 20 years with it, I'm seeing a dentist about implants this week. It has at times made me slightly self conscious but honestly not much.

It is scandalous that dentistry costs so much. I'm just having a chat and that's £50!

I am just going by what I know, and experience of going through this, but I am quite sure that they could put a single crown on the implant now, and then at the later stage change it. But, the cost of this is going to be quite high. As the crowns themselves are expensive. So assuming you changed it again in a year or two, I would assume you would then need to pay for two crowns (even if they are on one implant) as then it is going to be two new crowns. Unless they can just add one on, but I am not sure if that could do that, as they will need to be fused together iyswim.

How I know re the crown pricing is that I am being treated by two different people. The bone grafts and implants by a specialist surgeon (my case is complex) and then I head on over to the dentist for the crowns. So I have paid separately to surgeon for the groundwork treatment and now to dentist for the rest.

Just also wanted to say, perhaps don't get too focused on that next tooth that is a little lose now. I had the same and we discussed pulling it at the same time, but surgeon said no, to wait and see if it secures itself again. Remember that bone regenerates itself, so at the moment it might be feeling a bit sorry for itself as they have drilled into the bone next to it, to put in that implant. It may very well firm up again. In my case it didn't as my bone loss was too severe (I had a impressively size cyst removed and it left a horrendous hole, way too big to the bone to regenerate itself), so after waiting 4 months to give it a chance, it was clear that tooth was dying as it had no bone to support it. So out it came and an other implant went next to it, and that tooth will be covered with a bridge. But, he didn't just whip it out, he said it needed to be given a chance before that decision was made.

You didn't say how long ago you had the implant placed, so if it was recent you will need to wait some months for it to integrate anyway. Maybe by that time, Wobbly might have stopped playing silly buggers.

Also, its not vanity to want your teeth to look okay and to be able to smile and face the world. I feel exactly the same as you, this knocked my confidence and self-esteem that I thought no-one else would understand. I am also single, and never while I have dentures would I consider attempting to meet up with someone new. I was doing online dating and going out to meet new people before this all started, and that was first thing that was stopped in its tracks. I do not want to know or even hear about meeting someone right now, as I am too ashamed about it. I lost 5 teeth and have had four implants placed. One failed implant and one failed bone graft. So I have been through the mill, so I do understand exactly how you feel. It is a slow process though, and so what I will say is, hang in there.

Turkey has a reputation for 'quick fix dentistry' which doesn't always mean good. However Turkey is not the only
choice. Hungary where we are being treated is exemplary and the implants are guaranteed or new implant and refund. However I have friends who have dental work in Spain and Portugal all at a fraction of the cost of the UK. I would definitely recommend our place. No pressure. Full exam and xray done and options provided. You could have both implants done for that price

@Highlighta
I am just going by what I know, and experience of going through this, but I am quite sure that they could put a single crown on the implant now, and then at the later stage change it. But, the cost of this is going to be quite high. As the crowns themselves are expensive.

yeah I thought it might be expensive to do it that way but hoped it wouldn't be another £4,000 but maybe only half that. I have no real idea. I just really don't want to have the other front tooth taken out now unless there is no choice but I know given my health that if it was to have to be taken out some time after my current treatment I will never be able to afford an implant again. I've had bad gum disease and with it being so crocked it's not stable but only has slight movement so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't want to go through all of this, get into financial difficulties, just to end up with a false tooth on the other side but I don't want it extracted if it doesn't have to. I haven't got my implant yet as I'm only just at the beginning. I'm waiting for the extraction site to heel. I have an immediate denture on a plate which I really hate but not as much as the massive gap, and it really is massive because of my gappy teeth, which highlights even more my crocked tooth that's left. I don't know if the tooth left will get more stable as it hasn't changed for a long time. I just hope the other side doesn't start to move now. I've had such a lot of trouble with my teeth lost a back one, have another wobbly back one and now this with my front. I've always looked after my teeth but my illness effects my teeth and my past silly behaviour of smoking didn't help either. Unfortunately I became obsessed and cleaned excessively and very hard which is what I believe may have resulted in some of the issues. I'm also worried about the implant failing as like I said this £4,000 is all the money I have and with my failing health I'm not in a position to get anymore. I can't stop worrying about it all and crying. I'm sure that sounds silly to some but my teeth have always been a big fear so the fact those fears are coming true is very distressing. I will be 50 next month and honestly I can see myself being alone for the rest of my life if I lose anymore front teeth or teeth where I need a plate as I would not want to meet anyone. Its hard enough over coming the stigma of a disability, being a totally loan parent, unable to work, age, having a walking stick but now false teeth on top! I just, apart from my kids, struggle to feel able to carry on as I feel I have little going for me anymore. I know it sounds dramatic but I feel more isolated, more unhappy than I've ever been with no way out of this mess.