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Original poster

Help!!! Tooth implant, scared!!!!!!

20 replies

verbeier · 15/07/2015 14:36

I injured my front bottom tooth and have had two failed root canals done. There is a nassive hole from the root canals and not much tooth left, plus it is now cracked. The dentist has told me extraction and implant best option. I am a bit squeemish at the idea of titanium screwed into my jaw and absolutely petrified. Has anyone had anything similar done to front teeth (wish it was back molars as would live with a gap!)? Other option is bridge, which I like spund of better, but my teeth of either side bit fragile and don't think would support well....don't want to end up losing three teeth instead of one. Any recommendations for implant specialists in London?

OP posts:

bigTillyMint · 15/07/2015 14:39

Can I join you? I have broken a back tooth that was mainly filling and the best (and most expensive!) option is to get an implant, but I'm a bit scared.

TheWombat · 15/07/2015 15:29

I have a dental implant to replace my top front tooth which was knocked in an accident. This was 12 years ago and it's amazing! The procedure was nothing like as bad as the failed root canal treatment I had on the tooth previously. My dental surgeon gave me some sedation during the process, but it didn't take too well because I was wide awake throughout. It didn't matter - it was fairly quick, and not half as bad as I'd imagined. It healed quickly and the thought of a screw in my mouth didn't bother me - much less concerning than a heavy metal filling for example.

I had to wait a while after the implant op, before the crown was fitted. Can't quite remember how long now, perhaps a couple of months?

If I ever lost a tooth again I would go for an implant if it was at all feasible.

bigTillyMint · 15/07/2015 15:51

That's really good to know Wombat, though being awake throughout the treatment sounds horrific to me!

Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 15/07/2015 15:56

I have an implant for a molar at the back, would definitely recommend it, the most painful part was the expense! I go to the SwissSmile clinic in Zurich but they also have a branch in London. The procedure is quite lengthy overall, although each session is relatively short. I would definitely do it again if I neded another one.

Caddie08 · 15/07/2015 16:01

I've had two implants and was petrified beforehand - in tears in the waiting room. I didn't have sedation. As it was I didn't even realise they'd done the drilling part until he said all done! The worst part for me was fitting the crown onto the implant afterwards as I have a small mouth and it was painful as dentists hands were large!

TheWombat · 15/07/2015 16:16

I think sedation is becoming less common for implant procedures where they are straightforward - but I imagine if it wasn't offered, you could easily ask your GP to give you a one off tablet for the procedure. I think my mother did this - she was so impressed with my implant she got one herself for an old gap to replace a molar that had been taken out years previously. It looks totally natural, and allows me to properly bite things

I fully agree that the expense is the worst part of it! The procedure is quick and painless - a bit of noise, some tugging etc, but nothing like the 'drilling into pain' you get with fillings. I have had scale/polishes that were far worse!

There are some other issues to consider - most dentists like you to have very regular checkups afterwards (something to bear in mind if you don't go regularly now), smoking is an issue because it prevents ossification (the bone growing into the titanium so that the implant becomes part of you) and you have to be very careful about oral hygiene - flossing etc around the implant every day (I do this twice a day and my implant is looking great after 12 years).

bigTillyMint · 15/07/2015 16:30

Can I ask how much you paid? The dentist has recommended a place which is £100 for the implant assessment and £2,300 for the procedure (implant retained crown) - does that sounds about right, or expensive?

Original poster

verbeier · 15/07/2015 16:35

Thanks for the responses.....I do feel better about it, a little! I just have this thing about anything 'unnatural' being inserted in my body, but have seen it being likened to hip replacements etc. So really need to get over myself! Such a baby...
Wombat, did you have this done in UK?

OP posts:

Original poster

verbeier · 15/07/2015 16:37

I have been quoted something similar, Tilly. Killer, isn't it? £2,500.

OP posts:

TheWombat · 15/07/2015 16:38

I think I paid about £1200 for the procedure and £600 for the crown. So yes, I think that would be about right given that mine was done so long ago. I think anywhere between 1500 - 2500 would seem normal to me, depending on who you had it done with and any complications. If you require additional procedures that can make things more complicated. I needed a bone graft first, to fill a gap that infection had caused - that meant an extra procedure (£500), plus an extra 3 months wait for the bone graft to take, until the implant could be carried out.

TheWombat · 15/07/2015 16:39

Yes - I had mine done in Devon. Unfortunately the surgeon has retired now, but he was great. I think implants are becoming far more routine now - when I had mine done it seemed like quite a specialist thing.

I know that they can fail due to poor oral hygiene, smoking, etc - but of all the (quite a few) people I know who've had one, I haven't met anyone who wasn't delighted with the outcome.

bigTillyMint · 15/07/2015 19:13

Thank you Wombat!

Yes, Verbeier - a huge amount

MrsMarigold · 15/07/2015 20:58

Well I'm a livid over mine which didn't take was hugely complicated and involved a bone graft. It lasted a few weeks and then the sodding dentist said I could pay to get it redone. (£2,500) He said it was hard to do but I get the impression he cocked up the bone graft. Apparently he spoke at a conference about it (ie furthering his career but it didn't fucking work). Sorry but look at all your options very carefully. My mum has two front teeth implants that are fine (her's were knocked out with a hockey stick). My issues caused by a dentist abroad leaving a surgical stent up there when he did a root canal and then getting an infection.

GreenHamNoeggs · 15/07/2015 21:08

I'd never have it done again.

I am completely non-squeamish and have never been afraid of the dentist, but the procedure itself was awful: less painful than drilling for fillings but much more upsetting, as they drill into your jawbone.

That would have been okay if it had taken, but it didn't. I am a non-smoker with excellent oral hygiene (hygienist told me not to come back as there was nothing she could improve upon), and dentist could not explain why it didn't work. So six weeks of continuous pain before he removed it, added graft material and re-did it. This one worked and is fine (10 years later) but I would never have one again.

HTH.

IloveCheese11 · 15/07/2015 21:18

I have 2 implants next to each other in place of lower molars. I would definitely recommend an implant, BUT make sure your dentist is experienced. My case was tricky (very old, bone had thinned, some of original tooth was stuck in the jawbone) and the first dentist I asked really didn't have a clue. I went to a special implantologist in the end and he had done thousands.

Apparently the best time to get an implant is at the same time as you remove the tooth. The gum is more receptive and less chance of failure.

I would be happy to recommend the guy I went to if you're anywhere near Middlesex/London.

villainousbroodmare · 15/07/2015 21:22

I was kicked in the face by a horse and have implants replacing my two front teeth. Excellent job, took about 18 months from kick to new teeth and very expensive but utterly worth it.
Make damn sure you're happy with your specialist. I was initially unhappy (at the shattered-remains-of-tooth-extraction phase) and switched to this place: www.cosmeticdentistrybelfast.co.uk/david-nelson.html

After 18 months of dentures, the permanence of the implant is the appealing factor. Love my gnashers.

Original poster

verbeier · 15/07/2015 21:48

Ooooh.....scary stories....but this is what I asked for, so thank you. Yes, my dentist claims he can do them, no big deal, but prefer to go to a specialist - so yes, Cheese, may I please have your recommendation.

I don't think I can get the implant done at the same time - there is a shadow on the xray, so think needs antibs first?

Lesson learnt about choosing decent dentist to carry this out - suspect if I had chosen better on the root canal, would not be in this position now. Live and learn. :)

OP posts:

IloveCheese11 · 15/07/2015 22:14

It was a poor root canal that left me with the remains of a tooth in my jawbone so I can relate to that!

I saw Dr Monty Ali at Pinn Dental Centre in Pinner. I think I paid £2500. www.pinndental.co.uk/

bigTillyMint · 16/07/2015 07:23

Scary stories indeed!

Verbeier, I also have a shadow on the xray and mine has a root canal which I think was OK but not perfect?

Keep updating please Verbeier - it would be great to hear how your search for a dentist/the actual procedure is going!

GreenHamNoeggs · 16/07/2015 08:08

I was referred to the specialist who did mine and he is supposed to be very good and highly respected. It seems that in a few cases you get weeks of pain as I did, but I wasn't told that upfront. I think people should know

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