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?

No. offering them doesn't mean that they will be good any more than someone offering plumbing, plastic surgery, or anything else. Have you got a dentist and do you trust them?

I tripped over a paving stone a few months ago, landed with force on my face and knocked my incisors right up into my gum. The hospital managed to pull them down again (I didn't know that could even happen - I thought the teeth had been knocked out!)
The dentist thinks I may lose them as they will have lost their blood supply. He suggested either a "sticky bridge" or an implant. I have had an implant but will probably opt for the bridge as its a much cheaper option at about £900.

Thank you all.
I am still reading and swaying backwards and forwards, but all the additional detail is SO helpful.
For example, at no point did the dentist mention that an implant needs to be done over separate visits over months..... <- I need a scared face but don't have one

2k per implant is cheap these days! Implants can cost up to 5k each

I know that dentists abroad often do it all in one go. This is a very bad idea... You need time for the implant "root" to become secure.

So was kicked in the face by a horse and lost a tooth and had an implant which has been fab for over 20 years the injury smashed my cheek bone so I ended up with root canal on the top and bottom of the entire rhs
I now need more implants which won’t be cheap

I don't doubt it!

I trust my dentist but I don't think they have much experience of implants, they certainly aren't dealing with them daily

Dentist here. Lollygaggle has explained everything really well.

I would go back to your dentist first to find out why a bridge wasn’t suggested.
it’s a good halfway house. And you can get some really good bridges that last a long time. However, implant is the gold standard. As it’s your front tooth, I would go for that.

My dentist is an implantologist, so I hope he doesn’t retire for a few years.

My dad had bridges and then dentures for YEARS, as a result if a misspent youth skateboarding on a driveway, which resulted in knocking out his front teeth as a teen. They constantly caused him issues, for decades. He finally got implants last year. He's much happier.

I lost a tooth at the exact place as you at 38, due to acid erosion (2 pregnancies in 2 years, total of 45 weeks of hyperemesis). The tooth hung on for around 5 years before finally coming out (was literally hanging on by a thread). Like you, really wanted an implant but couldn’t afford it at the time (during covid and lost earnings). Got a very reasonably priced denture within the week on NHS with intention of saving up for an implant, however I have got on so well with it I didn’t bother and unlikely to now. I have had no pain or discomfort, it doesn’t move and no one knows it’s a denture.

no but they may be able to give you a steer on who to go to?

I have several implants, one more than 20 years old. With a good hygienist, really thorough home dental care, they are brilliant. Had to wear a plate once for one tooth and hated it. Plasticy thing on roof of mouth, made me lisp. No contest for me.

I wast in a position to afford implant which I definitely wanted when I lost front teeth. So I got a denture . I got used to it pretty quickly and it’s a lot cheaper . So it’s not a terrible option for those that can’t afford implants. I don’t even sound different now although at first I did. The first thing I do when I get home though is take it off!

This is something I would like to know.

There seem so many clinics on line - how do I know if they are any good? Is there some sort of registration or qualification or membership of a professional body that offers reassurance ?

If I were looking to spend thousands on a job on my house, or buying something, I'd get 3 or more quotes, or I'd be getting personal recommendations rather than just using someone recommended by someone I don't know. But I am not sure how I would go about finding someone else (other than the chap at my regular dentist practice) to get a 2nd quote or 2nd opinion about what is best.

You can check reviews for dentist. Google the dentists name. I work in a dentist but I’m not clinical. I would say an implant over a denture
if you can afford it. Dentures are very easy to lose
and break. You need time to get use to it. Everyone I’ve spoken to who has had implants don’t regret it. We don’t do implants but I’ve only heard good things about them xx

I have an implant. It’s a bottom molar and it’s at the back and it’s one I eat on. It was just under £5000 in total, but this also included a bone graft. The whole process took around 9 months. It can be uncomfortable at times, but was worth it in the end for me.
you can’t forget about it though. It needs cleaning around the actual implant and around the titanium part that is attached, twice a day. Otherwise bacteria can destroy the bone holding the implant.

I'm halfway through having an implant, I'll be all done by November.

It's cost me nearly £4k, so not a cheap option, but totally worth it for me. I couldn't get on with a denture (made my tongue go numb) and I cannot wait to get my new tooth fitted!

I plan on having four in total, but need to save up.

Husband has this problem right now, not sure the cost but he has opted for a bridge.

I had ten implants done 20 years ago at a cost of £23k. Absolutely no problems, feel like my natural teeth and haven't needed to spend anything other than bi-annual hygienist appointments. The dentist at the time asked me if I was sure I wanted to spend that amount of money as I could buy a really nice car or have several luxury holidays. The car would be past it now and the holidays only memories, meanwhile I have had a perfect smile for over 20 years and am still grinning with confidence. Best money I ever spent. 😁

I have an implant at the front upper which is approaching 30 years old. At the time implants were pretty rare so I had to go the the dental equivalent of Harley St in London. It cost me £3k then and the bone graft work had to be carried over a year. It is treated the same as other teeth in terms of flossing, cleaning and dental appointments. I’d definitely go the implant route if I was you.

I wear a plate now. Absolutely no problem. Looks way nicer than my old teeth did and if you don't like the 'look' it can be redone with not that much expense. I prefer it to having endless problems with my teeth , crowns falling out etc.
Yes you need to get used to a plate but it's just like if u had braces when you were young on a plate. U get used to it. Soooo much cheaper. Less invasive and looks really nice if done decently.

You probably look very nice with your false teeth in but how will you feel when you have to take them out, e.g. hospital treatment, etc. Care homes are full of toothless senior citizens who arrived wearing nice dentures?

I have had 4 separate implants at different times, agree with the above. I also needed a temporary denture and could not get used to it. I am 68 , had my first implant 17 years ago and my last 2 years ago. If I needed another I wouldn't hesitate.