dental implant? or not? please help

[madmomma]

Very bad news at the dentist today. Already have root canal and 6 fillings, now need another filling, a crown, a root canal and a molar extraction. I've severe gum disease and bone loss :( I don't know whether to have an implant to replace the molar or not, and would appreciate viewpoints from anyone who has made this decision, whether for or against. Many thanks

With severe gum disease and bone loss, I would be very surprised if an implant was an option. What is being done to address your cleaning at home to maintain the hygiene work being done?

Will you miss the molar that much?

I'm seeing the hygenist next week, and I'll be seeing her every 4 months after that. The dentist has said that I can get an implant so long as I do it straight after the extraction so that there's enough bone left to screw it to.

With regard to missing the molar, I'm only 33 and pretty vain to be honest. I've got quite a thin face anyway, and I'm concerned that my cheeks will go sunken if I have gaps at the back.

The dentist said that my teeth are fairly clean in general (it was overbrushing that knackered my gums in part) but because of the gum disease it's made it impossible to get this molar and the neighbouring teeth clean, hence the unsaveable tooth.