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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To pay £4,000 for a tooth.

111 replies

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 17:06

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.

OP posts:
Picoloangel · 11/05/2025 20:05

I had a crown on one of my front upper teeth years ago and it failed during Covid; broke right at the root. I had to have it extracted and fully intended to get an implant but was told that it would be v complex, I would need bone grafts etc and it might not be successful. I have a kind of stick on bridge that was supposed to be temporary but live in fear of it coming off. I’d definitely have paid the £4k I was quoted if I hadn’t been worried it would fail.

I would have to done if I were you! It’s an outrageous price but that’s definitely the going rate.

tommyhoundmum · 11/05/2025 20:52

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 17:06

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.

I've spent far more at various times. Consider it an investment in yourself.

Snapncrackle · 11/05/2025 21:16

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:05

It does seem ridiculously expensive for one tooth but it's either that or have a gap forever. Even my current boyfriend who I've only been with a few months , I don't know if he's noticed it but I always prefer him to be on the other side of me so that he doesn't notice so that in itself would show that I'm paranoid about it.
I do have an implant on my other side and it's just been amazing, it was £2000 at the time and I didn't need a sinus lift.
I would worry about going abroad as I just wonder how/why do they do things so much cheaper over there.

If your considering going abroad look on FB
for a group called Antalya Izmir Turkey Dentistry
it’s well run group and the admin don’t allow / weed out any reps / clinics posting offering services

mainly English American and Australian people who have had surgery in Turkey and will show photos / prices / give info

you could get a scan done at CT dent in the uk stand that to dentist in Turkey to see what they will do and charge

recommended ones by the majority of people seems to be
IDH ( a dental hospital)
Stom
BGZ
they often do consultation in the uk so it can be worth getting one if it’s in your city

Lemonandginger1 · 11/05/2025 22:52

I'm paying £3,000 for a second molar extraction and an implant. It's ridiculous amount to pay but the NHS alternative is to leave me with just one molar on that side which long-term will do damage as they won't cover it. £4,000 sounds about normal price wise

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 11/05/2025 23:42

DH and I have both had implants. They have been brilliant. Definitely worth the money.

anon666 · 11/05/2025 23:50

Like other posters said, I'd be tempted to go abroad. Tempted though, not certain. I'm a nervous dental patient so might just be too terrifying to go abroad for it. 🤣

StandingOnYourMamasPorch · 12/05/2025 00:06

I would pay it OP. Your smile and comfort eating is well worth it, especially as you’re only in your 40s.

ACynicalDad · 12/05/2025 00:09

Had an implant 25 years ago, causes no problems. Divided by the number of years you’ve got left, it’s not costing much.

justasking111 · 12/05/2025 00:17

Wow the cost. I had two further implants last year. The cost was £2300 per tooth plus bone graft plus sedation. Under £6k.

Husband was quoted £10k at one cosmetic dentist, his own dentist said get another quote with X. Which he did. Was £5k.

Frillysweetpea · 12/05/2025 00:17

Dont bother with a partial denture. I have a single molar denture which was a waste of money. Even though I paid for the upgraded, private version I am still aware of it, find it really annoying and so never wear it

Tbrh · 12/05/2025 01:32

You could get it removed first and see how it goes, I had my top one removed years ago and initially was quite self conscious as you could just see it when I smiled but over time the gap became smaller and now it's not very noticeable.

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 12/05/2025 07:21

I wouldn't go abroad, Your travel insurance would be invalid if you are travelling for medical treatment, so if anything else happens you are not covered at all.
If anything goes wrong during or after, I doubt that any private dentist would pick it up for you, you would be reliant on the NHS. You don't know the standards of clinics abroad, I have heard some horror stories. Also it takes several weeks to do implants. I would stick to the original plan.

Lampzade · 12/05/2025 07:28

Sinushelp · 10/05/2025 20:05

It does seem ridiculously expensive for one tooth but it's either that or have a gap forever. Even my current boyfriend who I've only been with a few months , I don't know if he's noticed it but I always prefer him to be on the other side of me so that he doesn't notice so that in itself would show that I'm paranoid about it.
I do have an implant on my other side and it's just been amazing, it was £2000 at the time and I didn't need a sinus lift.
I would worry about going abroad as I just wonder how/why do they do things so much cheaper over there.

I got my tooth done in Hungary ( Budapest)
it is cheaper and they are actually more advanced than the UK when it comes to these types of procedures
In fact , many countries are more advanced than the UK
it is only one tooth, so I would definitely go abroad .

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 12/05/2025 07:29

Some of the best money you can spend
Ive spent about 4-5k on various things and it's really been a good investment

Please research carefully and find a GREAT dentist. Personally I wouldn't go abroad but thats me... dental implants require multiple visits and I just wouldn't be up for the uncertainty of it.

If you want a recommendation an exfellent dental team in London PM me...

MaryGreenhill · 12/05/2025 07:33

I wouldn't pay that at my age 64, tbh but l would if l were much younger . Good luck OP .

Ginmonkeyagain · 12/05/2025 07:38

I'm spending £3k on an implant to replace a root canal that has failed for the second time (it is a long sorry story starting when I was 19 when a poor dentist who acidentally damaged the nerve of the tooth when trying to pin a shallow filling). I think the cost can get high if you need things like bone and gum grafts. My bone density is good and I have no other dental health issues.

I would be wary of going abroad as this this taking eight months - so far I have had the old tooth removed and a follow up appointment 3 weeks later to take out the stiches and check the healing. I need to go back in Juy to check the bone density and put in the steel post.

I think it is worth it seeing as I spent £2k on braces 6 years ago to correct a slight overbite in my upper front teeth

SENNeeds2 · 12/05/2025 07:51

all your teeth would move without this implant or something else so yes definately worth it

dcthatsme · 12/05/2025 08:44

I would do the same. Some people spend that on a handbag 😀. It’ll boost your confidence and should last years. Worth every penny!

Mackerelfillets · 12/05/2025 10:26

I'm currently paying a small fortune for a lot of dentistry. The main bit is 6 crowns at the front that were done when I was 17/18 as they came through black due to tetracycline staining. I'm now 55 and they need replacing and now need to be implants. Not looking forward to this process or the eye watering price but decided to invest in my health/self.

Helen483 · 12/05/2025 18:49

Largestlegocollectionever · 10/05/2025 17:08

Id go abroad for it and tag it onto a holiday!

Crazy!

If anything goes wrong you've no comeback.

Helen483 · 12/05/2025 18:50

You don't say what part of the country you are in, but I had 2 implants done last year at a cost of £2400 each. So I recommend shopping around.

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 12/05/2025 22:29

Helen483 · 12/05/2025 18:49

Crazy!

If anything goes wrong you've no comeback.

Show quote history

Your travel insurance is not valid if you travel for medical treatment. It's not worth the risk.

Lucyccfc68 · 12/05/2025 22:42

I had to have a front tooth out 18 months ago (damaged as a child, veneer, followed by a crown). I opted for an implant rather than have a denture all the time.

I had a bone graft and the post put in at the same time, then teeth whitening, then the 2nd part of the implant (where the screw was exposed), then composite bonding on the other front tooth (to sort out a few small chips). 12 months later (today) I came home with my new tooth implant. 2 perfect front teeth.

Oh my god - I feel so much better not having a front denture. The dentist did an amazing job and I have spent the evening looking in the mirror and smiling. Total cost £3600.

I often wonder about going abroad and how they manage the healing time between treatments. I have heard of people having the post in and literally 1 week later, having the new tooth attached. I had to have at least 6 months to allow my bone graft and post to all heal and for the dentist to ensure that it had all taken well. I have had so many scans, x-rays and photo’s! My dentist wanted to make sure my new tooth fitted and completely matched, so it got sent back to the lab after the first fit for a slight adjustment and a very slight colour match. How all that gets done in a 2 week ‘holiday’ baffles me. I suppose you get what you pay for.

Helen483 · 12/05/2025 23:46

Helen483 · 12/05/2025 18:50

You don't say what part of the country you are in, but I had 2 implants done last year at a cost of £2400 each. So I recommend shopping around.

And I forgot to say the whole process took about 5 months.

First they do 3d x-rays of your mouth.

Then comes the implant - and this is the bone graft which simply takes time to form.

Lastly they attach the tooth to the implant, some 2- 3 months later.
You can't rush this. If you attach the tooth before the bone graft has had time to form then you run the risk of it all falling out.

Gettingbysomehow · 12/05/2025 23:52

I absolutely would have it replaced and I have two implants. I live in Somerset and travel to the Brighton implant clinic they charge half that inclusive of sinus lift which I've had also. They are the implant specialists.
My oldest implant is 15 years old and I also have a recent one. It's well worth the trip.

https://www.brightonimplantclinic.co.uk/

Dental Implants | Brighton Implant Clinic | General Dentistry

Brighton Implant Clinic: First-class dentistry & dental implants. Cosmetic treatments, complex cases, affordable dental implants & free consultations.

https://www.brightonimplantclinic.co.uk