Dentures or Implant ?

[DentistScardeycat]

Hope someone who has experienced the same, can advise. Or maybe a dentist can offer some insight.

I've lost a tooth (next to the front two, so leaving a gap isn't an option).

Dentist said I could have dentures or an implant.
I have to say his explanations were really poor, but I've done a bit of googling since, but was also wondering if someone can tell me what their experience was, rather than much of the google results which seem to be clinics telling me why I should let them do an implant.

I've been told denture would be under £500 but implant would be between £2500 and £4000 but that dentures need fiddling about with every day and, once done, implant is supposed to be for life, and can be forgotten about.

I'm early 60s if that makes a difference and don't like the sound of surgery but hate the sound of 'a plate in the roof of my mouth' every day.

Any insight?

Modern implants are made from titanium, which isn’t affected by the magnetic field an MRI scan uses.

DH had an implant of one of this top front teeth 20 years ago after multiple failed crowns.

It's still there and I couldn't actually tell you which one it is. It's required no attention since.

Definitely go for the implant if you can afford it.

On my 3rd implant. They are great

I chose an implant over denture just more for the long term stability. I have a great dentist (I normally need sedating but my dentist is fab and really explaims things well). I did consider a flexible denture as a normal one would mean a hard plastic plate constantly covering the roof of your mouth. But after trying what it would feel like, I invested in tge implant. Best thing ever as I now just treat like a normal tooth. They should offer information leaflets though but if you are not comfortable, see a different dentist. I would always recommend mine as they have 4 branches but all in the midlands so if you are near, happy to give their details as I left with booklets of information and called 3 times and spoke to them asking questions before making a decision xx

I had the same dilemma during lockdowns, I was early 50s. I couldn't imagine fiddling with a denture every day, so found an implant training clinic, recommended by my dentist. There are a few around the country. It was about £1750 in total, with all work overseen by multiple qualified implant specialists in addition to the training implant dentists. It makes it a bit more affordable, if you have a similar option in your area.

I was involved in a car crash at 10!
My dad hit some oil & I went through the front windscreen. They tried to save my front teeth, but following abscess after abscess I lost them all! Don't have a denture, they are terrible, results in ulcers, sore gums, can't bite & chew anything, not to mention having a lisp & feeling like a brick is in your mouth!
I've got a Maryland bridge & was told they don't do them anymore!! Not true!!! Mine has now snapped on one side & I'm dreading all the drilling to take the damn thing off!
It's a hard one deciding on implants, in case, as mentioned, they don't 'take'! Plus the cost - at 2K per implant, it's not inexpensive.
However imo I'll never have another denture (& the so-called glues don't work & are vile!). Let us know what you decide! 💐

Up until 6 months ago my 2 top canine teeth were my baby teeth. Finally, at age 65, they broke and what was left of the roots had to be removed. Because they were baby teeth and the gap was narrow, plus the adult teeth are lying horizontally in the bone above, I couldn't have implants. I have a small partial denture, it looks fine - very natural - but I hate wearing it. It's not comfortable and makes some things difficult to eat, for me anyway. This is only my personal experience and opinion, but I would go for implants if at all possible, and affordable.

If your dentist hasn't given you a good enough explanation, you need to find a dentist who will. Ask at your dental practice itself and see a different dentist, or else ask friends locally. Take your time and do your homework, this is something that needs time and attention, and at the very least, from the person who will be doing the work!

Due to bone loss, I was unable to have an implant, so opted for a bridge. It's brilliant, you would not notice it. Haven't had a single issue with it. I have a friend who is in a similar position to you albeit it's her front two teeth. An implant has been ruled out so she's having a denture.

A denture is surely the absolute last resort? Go for the implant.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.
Thank you so much.

I lost tooth , had a small denture , it nearly drove me mad.
I've got 4 implants in total , they are worth every single penny.
Just like your own teeth, permanent and prevent bone loss .

I am 72, and just going through having an implant to replace a bridge. I just thought, I dont have that many years left and I don't want to spend any more time having the bridge stuck back on. The only thing that annoys me. You will need a bone graft, £500. I will extract that broken tooth next to the implant area, £200. 2 minutes work. They just make prices up!. Pleased so far though. A bit sore, but not too bad.

Agree. I had an implant replace a crown that had reached the end of its life. It is a pre molar. I am happy with it, no issues so far. They can fail and my dentist says they don’t last forever, but it was a better option than a bridge.

I’m in a similar predicament you you OP. I lost a tooth next to the front four on the bottom row. Like you I paid £27 to have the options explained but didn’t really “get” what the denture option would consist of. I’ve got the additional complication of the tooth breaking off at the gum line and leaving the root in. That needs extracting. The NHS dentist I saw said they could “try” and get it out but might fail and I’d have to have it done in hospital so I suggested just getting a referral to the hospital now for removing it. The waiting list is about 6 months. That would need to completely heal before looking at implants so another 10 weeks they reckon. I am early sixties and don’t know if I can be bothered once the root is out. It’s not that noticeable where it is and they have quoted circa £3K for an implant. I might investigate a denture just to get an idea of how it works.

I opted for small dental.plate for 2 teeth at the front due to cost, I have no problems, don't really notice they're there during the day

i have had 2 implants done. One took and one did not. My current dentist who took over the dental practice from the (very good) one who did the implants has said to me that he would want me to have a bone density scan before he did any more implant work on me. To be clear, both implants were done around 25 years ago when the wide use of the process was less common. The implant that failed was completely due to a bone density issue and poor dental care as a child. Google "aussie trench" if you have a strong stomach. I don't know if its still the case but you should be aware that the NHS will have nothing to do with the aftercare of an implant or with any problems with the process. I couldn't even get pain relief advice on a friday night although as i said this was some years ago.

I have a denture and have had very little problems. You are not even aware of the plate . . . Mine was NHS and super smooth when tongue touches it. I can eat everything just as normal. Yes you do need to remove to clean but no big deal. It is certainly a personal choice so good luck!

I had 2 implants just over 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I am having to have one replaced because although it was placed correctly the post that went into the gum , was too long and pockets of bacteria were forming around it.I had it taken out nearly 2 weeks ago. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I also had a bone graft done at the same time. It will take about a year for the complete work. It is costing just over £10000. If you go for an implant make sure it is done by a very good dentist.

I didn’t need any bone graft and was 68 when I had them done x

I had a crown in the same place as your missing tooth which snapped about 6 years ago. The tooth could not be saved. I started to go down the implant route - 6 years ago quote was £4/6k for one tooth. I would have needed extensive bone grafts. I was warned that implants fail. I was offered a bridge but told it would mean drilling into the 2 healthy teeth either side. I ended up not going down the implant route / the v v experienced specialist I saw said he wouldn’t do it.
I had a sort of stick on cosmetic fix and I still have it 5 years later. 😬. I’m hoping it will last a bit longer but ultimately I probably will have to have a bridge or something.
my teeth are the bane of my life - I have a lot of crowns after an illness many years ago that affected my teeth. The crowns are starting to fail and I’ve taken the view at 63 that if you can’t see them I’ll have them taken out.
the state and cost of dentistry in this country is shocking.

Ask about a bridge

Team implant all the way. The annoying part is having to wait for things to heal between stages, but once it's done, it's done. I don't have any special care for mine, but I am meticulous about brushing and flossing.

I need one too. Lots of places where I live offer implants - how would I go about choosing a "good" one? Or if they're offering them, does that mean they must be decent?

I’ve now had three implants (I’m 76 and these have all happened within the last five or six years as old crowns failed on teeth that couldn’t be recrowned). No problems with any of them. They just feel like normal teeth. Yes they are expensive but I’d take them over dentures any time. I will probably have to have another on a front tooth next year as I have a cavity developing under a crown.

If you can afford it go for the implant. It’s far less trouble day to day than a denture.