topic Re: Dental Implant Question in Wellness

Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 21:30:41 GMT

I'm 1/3 of the way done in the implant process. Tomorrow morning I'm getting the implant post placed and the temporary crown. I'm thrilled to be done with the flipper. I'm wondering what I can expect the days immediately following surgery, what I'll be able to eat, etc. I'm guessing soft foods for a few days. DH and I are supposed to do some errands tomorrow afternoon/evening. Is that possible or wishful thinking?

Re: Dental Implant Question

Mathgal — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 21:46:49 GMT

I had two baby teeth replaced with implants. One required a sinus lift and bone graft, but I didn't find the pain too bad. I would stick with soft foods for a few days and maybe Tylenol for any pain. Maybe an ice pack if y have swelling. I didn't get my crowns until almost 5 months after the implants, but again I had other issues involved.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Icegoddess — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:00:07 GMT

Not sure what you're referring to about the flipper. When I got an implant I only had one surgery. I thought they placed the post and then covered it with the gum, but maybe they just placed the implant and covered that with the gum. The second visit, they just uncovered it, and if the post was not part of the initial surgery, they placed it. There was no surgery for that part. I don't even remember getting a shot for that, so they may have just used a numbing gel. Then, I went ot my regular dentist for the temporary.

Actually, come to think of it, the dentist might have actually put the post in. I can't remember, so I'm not much help. But, I do know I only had the one surgery.

Re: Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:31:37 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
Not sure what you're referring to about the flipper. When I got an implant I only had one surgery. I thought they placed the post and then covered it with the gum, but maybe they just placed the implant and covered that with the gum. The second visit, they just uncovered it, and if the post was not part of the initial surgery, they placed it. There was no surgery for that part. I don't even remember getting a shot for that, so they may have just used a numbing gel. Then, I went ot my regular dentist for the temporary.

Actually, come to think of it, the dentist might have actually put the post in. I can't remember, so I'm not much help. But, I do know I only had the one surgery.

@Icegoddess The bad tooth was right up front, one over from center. I've already had the tooth removal and bone grafting done a little over 4 months ago. The flipper is an appliance that fits somewhat like an old fashioned retainer, but it has a fake tooth on it. It's purely cosmetic.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Icegoddess — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:38:55 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:
Not sure what you're referring to about the flipper. When I got an implant I only had one surgery. I thought they placed the post and then covered it with the gum, but maybe they just placed the implant and covered that with the gum. The second visit, they just uncovered it, and if the post was not part of the initial surgery, they placed it. There was no surgery for that part. I don't even remember getting a shot for that, so they may have just used a numbing gel. Then, I went ot my regular dentist for the temporary.

Actually, come to think of it, the dentist might have actually put the post in. I can't remember, so I'm not much help. But, I do know I only had the one surgery.
@Icegoddess The bad tooth was right up front, one over from center. I've already had the tooth removal and bone grafting done a little over 4 months ago. The flipper is an appliance that fits somewhat like an old fashioned retainer, but it has a fake tooth on it. It's purely cosmetic.

Oh, okay. I didn't have to have a bone graft. I don't really remember being in great pain after my surgery, but I didn't go anywhere but home afterwards. Probably napped awhile. I'm sure I was sent home with some kind of pain meds, but probably only took 1 or 2 of them, and I'm a big baby when it comes to pain, especially teeth.

I remember asking what they gave me to put me out as it did put me out vs what was given to me for periodontal work. I believe they used versed and fentanyl. I know fentanyl was one of the items as it was the first time I had heard of it. I had had versed in the past and it is used to make you forget, but it also suppresses your ability to breathe. I remember feeling like I couldn't breath right before I went under for an endoscopy once.

Re: Dental Implant Question

lovesallanimals — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:48:00 GMT

@Mathgal wrote:
I had two baby teeth replaced with implants. One required a sinus lift and bone graft, but I didn't find the pain too bad. I would stick with soft foods for a few days and maybe Tylenol for any pain. Maybe an ice pack if y have swelling. I didn't get my crowns until almost 5 months after the implants, but again I had other issues involved.

Mathgal - My dentist recently told me I will need a bone graft and this sounded horrific. Being that you went through this, was it very difficult and painful? I am beside myself with worry over this. Thank you.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Meowingkitty — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:59:15 GMT

I had a bridge replace with an implant and there was little to no pain that I can remember. It took longer because I started it right before Covid hit and had to wait until the dentist could reopen which was around August to finish the final tooth insert. I ate the same as I always did.

Re: Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 01:19:53 GMT

@lovesallanimals wrote:
@Mathgal wrote:
I had two baby teeth replaced with implants. One required a sinus lift and bone graft, but I didn't find the pain too bad. I would stick with soft foods for a few days and maybe Tylenol for any pain. Maybe an ice pack if y have swelling. I didn't get my crowns until almost 5 months after the implants, but again I had other issues involved.
Mathgal - My dentist recently told me I will need a bone graft and this sounded horrific. Being that you went through this, was it very difficult and painful? I am beside myself with worry over this. Thank you.

@lovesallanimals I had bone grafting done at the start of this process. The dentist removed my tooth and put bone grafting powder in there. The tissue gets stitched up and you wait for four months for the graft to take, fill in, and harden. The area is tender for a few days but they recommend brushing and using a special rinse. It's not bad.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Desertdi — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:48:11 GMT

I just completed having my upper front teeth done. Six of them. It took 7 months to the day for the entire process.

There are many different procedures involved in getting implants. Your oral surgeon will determine what is best for you, depending on the condition and shape of your jawbone.

My front teeth were done individually. They are permanent, gold-backed porcelain crowns, not snap-on.

The final attachment of the teeth took about an hour, and there was very little pain involved. Mostly just a feeling of "pressure". The dentist told me not to eat for an hour.

Please be advised....you need to be careful with these "new teeth"....no matter WHAT the TV ads show about people chewing corn off the cob, or gnawing steak bones.

Your dentist will give you instructions on what you can and can't do.

I have had many implants over the past 20 years....upper, lower, molars, etc. Each process was different. The upper front was the most complicated, and, I hope, the LAST!

Good luck with your new teeth. With proper care, they will hopefully last a lifetime.

Re: Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 01:17:22 GMT

@Mathgal wrote:
I had two baby teeth replaced with implants. One required a sinus lift and bone graft, but I didn't find the pain too bad. I would stick with soft foods for a few days and maybe Tylenol for any pain. Maybe an ice pack if y have swelling. I didn't get my crowns until almost 5 months after the implants, but again I had other issues involved.

Yes, @Mathgal, it's indeed a long drawn out affair. I started right after Thanksgiving with the prep, then right before Christmas for the bone graft and my flipper delivery. Then the four month waiting game until the bone graft attaches and hardened, which is where I'm at now. Tomorrow the post and temporary crown will be placed and then more waiting, another four months, until the permanent crown is placed.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Mathgal — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 02:33:12 GMT

No. I opted to be knocked out but not because of my fear of pain, more the feeling of drilling skeeved me out. My surgeon described it as just a few taps to bump the bone up into the sinus cavity. He then put some cadaver bone into the space and then the implant. I was surprised it wasn't as bad as I imagined. The dental assistant had told me the removal of my original teeth is more painful/worse than the implants. I think I have to agree!

Re: Dental Implant Question

Mathgal — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 02:39:24 GMT

For me the process was almost a year. It started when I developed an infection in one baby tooth and my regular dentist was like "it's time". By the time I saw a surgeon, he removed the teeth, waited 3 months to see if my bone regenerated on its own, the implants, healing, follow up, 3d mapping, making the crowns, inserting the crowns. 13 months.

Re: Dental Implant Question

judianne — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 02:52:27 GMT

For me , the most painful part was the cost ! $5400 dollars for just one tooth . ! Unbelievable !

Re: Dental Implant Question

Desertdi — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:56:08 GMT

@judianne wrote:
For me , the most painful part was the cost ! $5400 dollars for just one tooth . ! Unbelievable !

@judianne Yes, EXPENSIVE! I might add that I went to my regular dentist in a private practice. The oral surgeon was also a private practice. I did NOT go to one of those "corporate places that advertise". I had individual care and cousel from doctors that I KNOW. di

Re: Dental Implant Question

123SuzyQ123 — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:27:49 GMT

Since I am a little over age 75, and not in the best of health, I chose to go the easier, quicker route of just getting an upper denture. At least I HOPE it is easier and quicker!

This Friday is the first of what I understand will be 4 sessions, to do the mold, the fitting, the fixing, etc.

I did consider implants, but opted to try to stay out of the dental chair by going the fastest route! I hope I can eat with a denture, I guess you have to get accustomed to it!

Re: Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 16:10:35 GMT

Boy did I mess up and jump the gun. Today's appointment was only for a fancy X-ray and impressions. They will be sent to a special lab for 3-D mapping, to tell the dentist exactly where to drill for the abutment/post placement next month. There won't be any temporary crown. There will be another surgery to place a healing ring (I think that's what it's called). All the steps require degrees of waiting. It'll be about 9 months from when I first started until I finally have the crown. That said, I'm still stuck with the flipper for awhile. 🙄

Re: Dental Implant Question

SilleeMee — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:27:38 GMT

I have eight implants with eight implant crowns. Never had any temporary crowns so I have no idea what those are about. After I got the healing abutments placed onto the implant (screw in hole in my gum), all I had to do is keep it clean for a couple of weeks until the (gums) healing was done around the abutment. Then after that the healing abutments were removed and a permanent abutment was screwed in place followed by my crowns. Healing abutments are placed onto the implant inside the gum after they do what is called a 'reveal', or uncovering, which is 4 months after the initial surgery.

The only time I had to eat soft food was right after the initial surgery and then continued eating soft food for a few months until the implants integrated into my jaw bone. That's the longest part of the process for when eating soft food is critical.

ETA-

I asked my dentist why I never got temporary implant crowns and he said they could compromise the implant by encouraging biting down on the temporary crown. He went on to say that temporary implant crowns can also encourage infection by covering the abutment and that it's best to not do that so he could see the gum healing.

Re: Dental Implant Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:35:17 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I have eight implants with eight implant crowns. Never had any temporary crowns so I have no idea what those are about. After I got the healing abutments placed onto the implant (screw in hole in my gum), all I had to do is keep it clean for a couple of weeks until the (gums) healing was done around the abutment. Then after that the healing abutments were removed and a permanent abutment was screwed in place followed by my crowns. Healing abutments are placed onto the implant inside the gum after they do what is called a 'reveal', or uncovering, which is 4 months after the initial surgery.

The only time I had to eat soft food was right after the initial surgery and then continued eating soft food for a few months until the implants integrated into my jaw bone. That's the longest part of the process for when eating soft food is critical.

ETA-
I asked my dentist why I never got temporary implant crowns and he said they could compromise the implant by encouraging biting down on the temporary crown. He went on to say that temporary implant crowns can also encourage infection by covering the abutment and that it's best to not do that so he could see the gum healing.

There is no temporary crown in the process, that was a misunderstanding on my part.

Re: Dental Implant Question

Shelbelle — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:16:29 GMT

@judianne wrote:
For me , the most painful part was the cost ! $5400 dollars for just one tooth . ! Unbelievable !

You got a real bargain, I recently paid 8500 for one implant,that was the total of the surgery and the permanent crown. Lucky me my insurance paid a whopping 1500 of it

Re: Dental Implant Question

Shelbelle — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:15:14 GMT

Here is my implant story. happend to me last summer, my upper canine tooth felt loose, dentist said full of decay. Needs to be extracted and then implant. Sent me to a periodentist. He took all kinds of xrays and scans, one scan was $500. Said he needed to study the results and gave me appt in 2 weeks for a 2 hour surgery that included the extraction and all else that needed to be done, also included a plastic tooth that he made that looked exactly like my real tooth that would hold me until the real crown. total price was 7000. Surgery was a breeze and for 4 mos I had the plastic temp until my regular dentist put on the real permanent crown which was another 1400. My insurance paid 1500 total. Surgery was a breeze with novacaine, didnt have any pain before during or after. The crown feels a bit un natural to me, but my dentist said it feels that way because it isnt natural, so be it.

I have no idea what a flipper is, guess I never had that. I also never saw an oral surgeon, perio did everything in one sitting.