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?

Get a second opinion and go to a dentist who does implants as their bread and butter work, if you choose that route.

I have gaps on both sides of my mouth which are visible when I smile.

There is no way I could afford implants, so I have a denture. It took a while to get used to and I had to go back and have it adjusted as it settled in and I started to use it to eat, in fact it was really painful to start with, but I am now completely used to it.

I whip it out to eat if I can as I just prefer not to get food under it, but if I can't I can still eat with it in.

I don't mind it overall. I feel like it does affect my speech a bit, but apparently noone else can tell. It was about £500 total.

My mum attempted implants many years ago and they'd just didn't take, she went through a lot to end up with another denture in the end. I appreciate this is unusual but it can happen.

If I had the money I would probably attempt implants but as I don't I just accept the denture and I feel a lot more confident with it in.

As others mentioned why not consider a bridge, I had braces when I was a teenager and when the braces got removed I got 2 teeth put on bridges to fill the 2 gaps and they look natural I'm late 40s now

I have a top denture 3 on one side and 1 on the other, I couldn’t afford implants, the 1st denture didn’t fit correctly, and I hated it, the 2nd one is a dream, comfortable, no one would know, it does take getting used to, but I now don’t think I would have implants now if I could afford them.

You want an implantologist, someone who has done the training required. Not every dentist has done this course, so if yours hasn’t ask him to refer you to one who has.

I broke my two front teeth as a child and had crowns fitted when I was 16. After a series of infections in my early 30s, the crowns were replaced with a bridge which involved covering the two teeth either side of my two front teeth. This was OK for about 10 years, but the infections started again and I had the remainder of the teeth extracted and wore a denture for about a year. I found it so unpleasant and uncomfortable that I knew it couldn't ever be a long term solution. I also felt really ashamed and having false teeth really knocked my confidence. I never risked eating in public for fear of dislodging the denture and never admitted to anyone, including my husband, that I had one. When I was 42 I had implants for my two front teeth - implants were in their infancy then, but 33 years later, hey are still going strong and I have had no problems at all. A couple of years ago, when I was 72, the crowns either side of my front teeth were also replaced with implants and I'm delighted with the result. It was very expensive, but quite honestly it's the best money I've ever spent.

The process of implantation isn't bad at all as you are fully aneasthetised. It takes about an hour and a half to insert the titanium posts and standard analgesics will probably be needed for a few days thereafter. I bruise very easily and had a lot of face swelling, but was back to normal within a week or so. Temporary crowns are initially placed. before placement of permanent crowns three months later which takes about 15 minutes.

If you can afford the cost of an implant, I think it's the best option by far.

Thank you all, once again - particularly those who have added in detail my dentist either assumed I somehow knew for some reason, or didn't want to tell me.

Interesting thread
I just couldn't afford the price of implants..so that's how. I ended up with a denture..as I said up thread I've had it a while ..and I've managed to keep it hidden,no one knows I have it .
I forget it's in ..you can't feel it it just slots in place
Goodness knows how much implants would cost for me
If money was no object ..I don't even know if I would have implants..I think I'd be terrified of them drilling in to my gums

I meant to say ,I could of had a bridge..and did think about one
But

Bizarrely..my mum has lost exactly the same teeth I have ,and she had a bridge,but it eroded the teeth either side and she lost those as well.
And I thought,it would be just My luck
So I stayed with the denture

When you had your front teeth out, did you wear a temporary denture? Did you have a gap for several weeks? That’s what I would dread.

Well they cut the gum right open so they can access your jaw bone! You can’t feel a thing though. I found implant treatment much easier going than root canal treatment.

I'm planning on having one and my dentist sat and explained the whole process to me. He actually took the time to do this. I used to be with an NHS dentist hence the issues caused which has now resulted in an implant being required. The private dentist has really helped to put me at ease around the whole process as I was rather terrified about it. I would say it is definitely worth checking dentists to find the right one that you feel comfortable with. Prices can vary between them but you don't really want to simply go for one based upon it being the cheapest price. I hope all goes well with your new tooth whatever method you choose!

I am meant to have a temporary denture made before the tooth is extracted. I was extremely worried regarding the prospect of having such a noticeable gap. I was also told the gum will require three to four months to heal before an implant. The bone graft will be placed when the tooth is extracted to prevent bone loss. It all sounds very horrible! But hopefully it will all be worth it

How can you wear a denture while the gum is healing?

Where do they get the bone from to do the bone graft

They often opt to use artificial bone.

That's like me
I don't think I would either
It's been quite interesting reading everyone's story about dentures and implants.
I've no idea how you are all affording it
Maybe if I needed just one tooth replaced..I would think about it ..
I think they would have to put me to sleep to have it done

Made of ..like artificial knee or hip

@Missingmymeds They can use a synthetic substance created in a lab. It behaves like bone would. Alternatively they could use bone from elsewhere in the patient’s jaw, or from a donor, or from an animal. I have no idea which of these are the most commonly used but would suspect it’s the synthetic one.

As for affording it- yep, the cost was by far the most painful part of the procedure for me! I had two done and the cost was £4800. I saved up for it- took me just over a year. I do appreciate not everyone is able to save or save very much, so I was lucky in that respect. Most dentists offer payments plans for this type of work though.

Thanks for the info and reply,that's really interesting
I might have to go and look up exactly how it's done

You’re welcome @Missingmymeds🙂 Also just to add- bone grafts aren’t always needed. I had some bone missing but the dentist was able to position the posts into the thickest/best bits of bone I had without any need for bone graft.

I’ve had three implants and I’d honestly struggle to point out which teeth they are. I’d definitely recommend the implant option.

I have one implant. At the end of last month, I needed surgery to remove an impacted wisdom tooth. The wisdom tooth surgery took longer and was much more stressful. (I was in the dentist's chair for an hour - the damned tooth was under the gum, on its side and facing backwards with the crown partially absorbed by the jawbone.)

I had a temporary denture and it was fine. You're not left with a huge gap healing, if that makes sense, whereas I needed stitches after getting my wisdom tooth out about a month ago.

To be honest a decent care home keeps dentures in. By that time I don't think I'll be needing someone to find me sexy anyway. If I go to hospital and have to take it out for an operation I don't think the surgeon will really care? I mean Ur never going to see them again. No worse than pooing Ur pants or getting a smear done. I think Ur attitude is quite superficial. My dentist said that about half the population is walking around with some sort of plate in their mouth.
And yes my plate looks much better than my teeth ever did.
I don't notice I'm wearing it, it looks nice and it didn't involve bone grafts or thousands and of pounds.