Dental implants- tell me!

[opalescent]

After agonising for ages, I've decided to go for it and book in. I have three missing teeth, but will just do the two for now (finances).

Can anyone share any insights, tips or experiences? Was it worth it? Will I need any time off work?

Thank you 😊

I bloody love mine. Had them done in Budapest. Didn't hurt at all really. Only horrible thing was that you have to just have pegs in for 6-9 months before they put the porcelain bits on. I had to have a bone graft and sinus lift as well, but if I hadn't been in Hungary I'd have been back at work the next day

Wow! Great news. How many did you have done at the same time?
God I bet they were so much more affordable in Budapest, hideous costs over here

So with an implant, you have a gap with a peg only for 6+ months? What if it’s a front tooth?

I had the op to put an implant in on weds, the pain is slowly going and I'm hoping that in three months I'll have a lovely new front tooth!

Ooo watching as I’m thinking of getting one…

They put in a denture or a bridge until the implant is ready

I definitely didn’t have a gap for 6 months, more like 3. I didn’t need a bone graft though.

They’d do a temporary false tooth for a front/canine tooth.

I've got a temporary bridge to put in once it has healed a bit more, so it's not obvious that's it's missing

Ooh fab! Can you tell me a bit about pain levels?

When I had the post put in I was braced for total agony and actually it didn't hurt either during or afterwards. Whereas when I'd had a wisdom tooth out and got dry socket I wanted to rip my entire lower jaw off.

I didn't need a bone graft - there was enough bone there to support the screw. It was all very smooth going.

Very painful on weds evening and Thursday and I was on a lovely soup and yogurt diet. I've taken extra strength ibuprofen and paracetamol on Thurs and Fri but no pain relief today. Much better now and tentatively eating soft pasta although no biting of food!

Just had my 2nd put in this week - replacing my first from around 12 years ago, which failed.

I also had a bone graft.

The day after was the most uncomfortable & I am being very cautious with eating as still have stitches in.

It was a bit sore to speak for the first few days.

Been advised to avoid vigorous exercise & heavy lifting for a week or so & not to use electric toothbrush for 2 weeks.

Yep, I've had them done. Had FOUR done (at the same time eep). The actual op was over 3 hours but didn't hurt and I had a video over my head to watch to distract me.

TBH with hindsight I don't think I needed four. I went in for one, possibly two and the dentist persuaded me I needed four to have a balanced bite. (And of course my embouchure is important). One of them sticks backwards in to my mouth quite a bit - I am used to it, but still wonder. (Yes of course I mentioned it and was told it was necessary to be that wide/deep for strength).

The key one, the one I actually went in for - the top bit broke off after about 3 years. I just typed tears. Freudian. It was replaced promptly, FOC. It;s now about 5-6 years. I would be able to tell you more precisely if my bloody email account hadn't thrown a wobbly on me which meant I had to delete all my old stuff. No other problems.

I had them done in UK and yes, eye watering. Just under £12k. I sort of regret having spent the money, even though I don't need it. It just seems a terrible extravagance in a world where people are starving. I wouldn't have liked to still have that gap at the front, though. And another part of me dreams that maybe I should have gone abroad, paid about the same, and had my whole upper set done so I'd have a stunning smile.

Part of my research involved talking to a dentist friend (who doesn't do them. She;s never learnt, and is close to retirement). She thinks they are (generally, not mine specifically) a real success story and will become much more common over the next few years - and cheaper.

A relatively slow process where I live. Consult in September 22, bone graft sinus lift under light sedation in December, check up in January and 6month torque check this month. The original tooth a molar was extracted 40+ yrs ago. The screw is in place, flush to the gum, zero notice of it. I was told it’s a 12 month process. I’ve had a dental cleaning since the initial tx, and the X-rays looked good.
the use of long acting freezing I’m sure was helpful, just Tylenol for pain, decadron x24 hrs, and antibiotics for 7 days, all precautionary. The cleaning and gargle was a bit worrisome but worked out fine, just be gentle.
the idea of a liquid diet for x many days was unnecessary, I had a cinnamon bun that day and crisps, of course not chewing on that side.
the two stitches worked their way loose about 7-10 days post surgery. They came out on their own as I was told they would.

4 implants done over a year. in 3 stages. Used v. experienced dental practice, and didn't rush process, with plenty of healing time/ check ups. All towards back, no front teeth.
Cost varied a bit, building up bone and/or sinus lift add quite a lot more. £3k on average overall, but that could go up or down I guess.
All this during the time wearing a mask was quite normal, which helped twice, especially with sinus lift op. when there was severe bruising, and some pain on first day. Otherwise no actual pain during & after procedures. Preventative painkillers and antibiotics were always given.
Time for extraction to tooth being in place mostly about 7 months, a bit
less when gap already there, although that might mean more bone work is needed. Each of the 3 implant processes had slightly different timescales, depends on a few factors. I was happy not to rush and have them seperately, with checks at each stage before moving forward.
Not had one problem nor regret, the implants were really worth doing for me.
Hope all goes well for you.
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They were half the cost of having them done in the UK. including flights and hotels!! Well worth the travel. Honestly I had no pain, I was shocked.

I had 2 done together. So pleased that I had it done

I had mine done in two visits so extraction and post in one then fitting the permanent crown. I definitely recommend taking the IV sedation option if it's a long first visit. I might have had the next day off work but definitely no more.