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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,516
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

...tomorrow morning. One tooth to be extracted. My dentist said it's too complicated for her. So I'm headed to the oral surgeon. Upper premolar as they call it. Will have lovely IV sedation and remember nothing. What killed me was the options presented for after it heals: have the two molars next to it removed then get a three tooth bridge, or get an implant, or leave the gap and do nothing further. 
Options 1 & 2 would cost me $3000-3800 out of pocket. I went home, smiled big into the mirror and decided to leave the gap empty. It won't be very noticeable unless someone is too dam close to me peering into my mouth. I am not about to spend over $3K on 73 year old teeth.  C'mon man. 
if it was a front tooth that would be a different story. 

Super Contributor
Posts: 269
Registered: ‎06-27-2013

About two years ago I had a tooth pulled.  The dentist really were pushing me to get an implant (I suppose so they could get more money).  I just left a gap instead. The gap is in the back and can't be seen by others. I just did not want to spend the money and really the gap does not bother me at all. But if it was visible by others I guess I would get an implant. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,448
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

I had the same thing. Left the gap. No problem.  You'll be fine.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,101
Registered: ‎06-20-2015
Good luck w/ your oral surgery.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,651
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

@fairydogmother 

 

And, once you start getting implants, you will have to have them ALL replaced that way.    Gets REALLY expensive!!!!

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,135
Registered: ‎12-13-2010

I have a three tooth gap in the very back.Cannot be seen at all. One dentist kept suggesting implants. Extraordinary expensive and a close friend had one implant

( by one of the finest dentists in the area) which took 5 years from beginning to end.

No thanks!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,240
Registered: ‎11-16-2014

@fairydogmother wrote:

...tomorrow morning. One tooth to be extracted. My dentist said it's too complicated for her. So I'm headed to the oral surgeon. Upper premolar as they call it. Will have lovely IV sedation and remember nothing. What killed me was the options presented for after it heals: have the two molars next to it removed then get a three tooth bridge, or get an implant, or leave the gap and do nothing further. 
Options 1 & 2 would cost me $3000-3800 out of pocket. I went home, smiled big into the mirror and decided to leave the gap empty. It won't be very noticeable unless someone is too dam close to me peering into my mouth. I am not about to spend over $3K on 73 year old teeth.  C'mon man. 
if it was a front tooth that would be a different story. 


Last Wednesday I had a bottom molar extracted by an oral surgeon. I was awake. You made a good decision to get sedation. It took one hour and thirty minutes. Today I had an emergency visit to check why the nerve is hurting but he claimed it takes two weeks for bottom molars to heal. Lost 5 pounds because all soft food.

I was referred to the oral surgeon by a new dentist as my old one retired. After googling I found out this dentist had his license revoked in another state for Medicaid fraud.🥺😳. I have no confidence in his $4,000.00 bridge but will see another dentist to find out alternative treatment. 

Good luck and I will say a prayer for you @fairydogmother . I completely understand your reluctance to get the bridge. I really dislike that they told me the same about getting all these teeth removed. Dentistry can really be a money pit.😳

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,148
Registered: ‎04-19-2022
Wishing you good luck on your surgery tomorrow & a speedy recovery!
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,752
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

@fairydogmother 

 

I don't blame you one darn bit!  That hurts two ways, pain and pain in the pocketbook.  Luckily, I have my dad's teeth.  Neither one of us have ever had a cavity.  Mom and brother weren't so lucky Smiley Sad  My dad's teeth look horrible now after 2.5 years in assisted living.  They can't brush his teeth, he can't brush them.  They give him antibiotics for pain.  I had a dentist appt a few months ago (after heart surgery) but they wouldn't clean them till they got an ok from my cardiologist.  My appt isn't until Nov 4. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,752
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

@mormel20 

 

I have a bad dentist phobia.  Low to nonexistent pain tolerance.  I literally need a valium to get my teeth cleaned Smiley Surprised