To pay £4,000 for a tooth.

[Sinushelp]

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.

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

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.

Really? Surely lower is more noticeable when you talk?

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’.

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

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.

I would definitely do it!!

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

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

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

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

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

I have twice had dental implants in Hungary, the first ones about 15 years ago - they were considerably cheaper than here, the care was very good, and I have had no problems with them at all

I think any money you spend on your wellbeing and health is money well spent. So I think if you want it done it’s not a waste of money. I had a back lower molar removed and was going to go down the implant route but because it isn’t really noticeable I decided against it. My sister had the same molar removed and she has had an implant. She went through months of an awful lot of pain and discomfort. The implant still gives her pain now. She went to a very reputable UK dentist. So my view is if the missing tooth is visible have an implant. If the missing tooth is not visible don’t put yourself through it. I hope you don’t mind my asking @Sinushelp what is a sinus lift? I have never heard that term before. Good luck

I’m considering going abroad to have my 1st molar and 2nd bicuspid on the same side replaced with implants. If I could afford to have it done here, I would. Interesting thread.

Oh Lord, just crossed post with @Berryslacks

Most of my teeth are missing, but none of my front ones. If it isn’t visible when smiling and you have the rest of your chewing teeth (or some at least, I only have two left) I wouldn’t bother.

I spent similar on a rear molar last year. If you can afford it and want it then why not?

I had both my first molars on the bottom (so left side & right side) taken out last year and it hasn't effected me at all. It's the only teeth I'm missing so able to chew like I did with them. I definitely wouldn't get a loan out for a tooth. An implant doesn't last forever and is not guaranteed to work x

I got a molar implant when the original tooth was destroyed by an abscess that I didn't know about. Although it can't be seen, my teeth are all pretty weak, so I didn't want to add extra strain on the row by leaving a space. A crown/bridge would have put pressure on the adjacent teeth too. If it was a wisdom tooth, I would just have had out and not replaced, but it was two in from that.

I would get a few quotes before you go ahead .

I lost a tooth and was quoted £4,200 for an implant and difficult graft by my dentist. Looked at three other specialists in cosmetic surgery and they all quoted around £2400 to £2700. I went with the one at £2700 as implants are his only area of dental practise so he had the most experience. Very pleased I did so and that I shopped around for quotes.

I have an implant for a upper second premolar, had a gap for a while which wasn't too bad. Not sure I would bother for a second molar at that price though!

Mine cost just under £2k (including initial scan) about 2.5 years ago. BUPA was prices starting at £3K. Implantologist who did mine was very experienced (and teaches others) and owned his practice. It was pain and hassle free and I would definitely recommend him (south west - pm me if that is your area). I didn't need any extra procedure done (sinus lift etc) and had good bone density though. I agree - shop around.

I am part way through getting an implant for my lower first molar. Had the implant fitted so far, the exposure/cap then the crown will be done in July/Aug. Mine is costing nearly £3000. I wasn’t bothered about the look because no one can see it’s missing, it’s more for eating and I also thought I am young enough (44) to feel like I will get good value for money and hopefully it’ll last me the rest of my life so doesn’t feel expensive when thinking of it that way.

I posted on here asking about people’s experiences of having an implant as I was nervous but got lots of good replies and it’s been very straightforward for me so far.
Some suggested going for overseas to make it cheaper but it seems like a lot of effort and I was more comfortable having it done by the implant specialist at my dentist.

Was that top or bottom set or both?

Have you discussed having a Maryland bridge? I have one for my canine (so the next tooth along from your one I think?) and it's been great! It cost about £700 altogether and completely pain free!

I wouldn't take that risk with my health. You never know if you're going to need any follow ups and I wouldn't want to be having to go backwards and forward to another country to get any problems sorted. Either that or end up paying a British dentist more that it would have cost in the first place to fix any problems.

I’m getting one too, same place. I have a plate with a denture to fill the gap but it’s so annoying I can’t wear it permanently.

I’ve been quoted £2000. Funny how different areas charge more.

I know people who have travelled to Turkey for implants - it took two separate trips and the cost was similar to here!