Community Chat

[drizzellla]

@smoochy I agree with you. Last month I had a tooth extracted. I am 72.

They wanted to do 3 implants. One implant to replace the tooth they were removing AND the other 2 implants were for the mistake another Dentist did. He removed the wrong tooth! So had to have him remove the correct tooth. So I have 3 empty spaces.

I was quoted $14,000 for the three implants. They aren't front teeth so at my age, I can not justify spending that kind of money. 

Hope your extraction is uneventful and you heal quickly.

[SilleeMee]

Whenever a tooth is extracted or lost then there is accelerated bone lost from the jawbone in the area where the teeth were pulled or lost. Then over time the bone loss continues and can affect the adjacent teeth which can lead to further problems including loose teeth and even tooth loss. So, dentists can place a bone graft in the socket after extraction to help prevent that from happening even if an implant isn't an option. Bone loss in the jaw plays a major part of aging in the way a person looks.

[jlkz]

Understood:  implants are expensive, especially if the cost is wholly or partially out-of-pocket.

Understood:  there is a time delay before the implant is complete because the underlying bone / bone graft has to be able to grow and support the implant.  This can take several months ( not years ).

Understood:  it seems there is a push for implants.  When done correctly, they support the teeth around / above / or below them.  The implants are stationary so they keep the surrounding teeth from " moving " and getting loose which can cause more severe dental problems and ultimately loss of teeth.

If you have a very elderly family member who has false teeth, you may realize how their facial structure changes when the teeth are out.  Implants can help you keep the facial structure you want to preserve.

I was lucky because the 3-tooth gap in the back was able to be closed with a 2-tooth implant.  It took a few months because I needed a bone graft.  Back then the cost was under $4 K all out of pocket.  Everything is more expensive now because of improved technology, materials used, equipment progress, and ultimately training and salaries for the doctor and staff.

[Meowingkitty]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

Whenever a tooth is extracted or lost then there is accelerated bone lost from the jawbone in the area where the teeth were pulled or lost. Then over time the bone loss continues and can affect the adjacent teeth which can lead to further problems including loose teeth and even tooth loss. So, dentists can place a bone graft in the socket after extraction to help prevent that from happening even if an implant isn't an option. Bone loss in the jaw plays a major part of aging in the way a person looks.

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Not doing a bridge or implant can also cause teeth to shift. If it's a lower gap the teeth on top can move downward and the side teeth on both sides of the gap can move. Also the gap can cause your cheeks to sink in. 

[LindaSal]

Most Dentists are not pushing implants for money.   The implant serves as a replacement for the teeth which as others have stated support the facial tissues keeping your cheeks up where they belong.  I know implants are very expensive, there is a lot involved to get to completion.  If financially it cannot be done there are cheaper options for replacement.

The "flipper" is the cheapest,  but you can have a nicer quality metal frame partial denture.  It's not just the fact of filling in the "gap" it's saving the rest of your remaining teeth and facial bone structure.

[Nana2158]

@SilleeMee 

Excellent comment. True on every point. For those reasons chose implants. Thank God, For my twins first love who became outstanding Dentist, Though I live in Palm Beach, traveling back and forth to see him in NY my first procedure sinus lift, and bone graft,

no pain whatsoever, During surgery or after, only novacaine.

Two weeks ago returned for the next stage of three implants.

My two front teeth have crowns improperly placed causing my gums bleed Dr. Kline showed me the margin, Dentist left gap instead of properly fitting. Looking forward having new crowns the color isn't right, returning 11.17 no problem, two hour flight.

Twin sister, Has Dentures from him you would never know that they look beautiful. Implants post, no idea the proper tech name? Dentures snap onto, no creams or slipping. 

If not for my sweet twin would have never thought of traveling for all my Dental work, in retrospect the best decision of my life. Plus get to spend time with her and family along with friends.

To this day I'm shocked no pain whatsoever not even after sinus lift, and bone graft, slight swelling went away in few days. No pain pills. 

To be clear, I have a Dentist & Hygienist locally, and plan seeing Dr. Kline yearly, and if anything else needs attention only his skilled hands will touch my mouth.  

[We rescue cats]

Wishing you lots of luck today! I have had 4 teeth removed, 2 of them I had bridges done 15+ years ago, 2 of them I had nothing done but they were recent and at 71 years of age and the fact that they were the last teeth in the very back. . . well you know what I mean!

[bonnielu]

I have had 9 implants and one of them has gone bad.  I am about to go back for "a fix" of some sorts.  I am told the specialized x-rays for this are not insurance covered.  And yes I could have bought a new car.  I  wish I had other options but I think I got caught in heredity.  LOL 

[shy bobcat]

A couple of years ago I was referred to an oral surgeon for extraction of a molar. The oral surgeon was a board certified medical doctor before deciding to go into oral surgery. 

I had planned to get an implant, but the surgeon said, he wouldn't do that in my situation.

He recommended a partial plate or leave a gap. I was worried about my other teeth shifting if there was a gap. He reassured me and said, I would be okay. So far, I haven't had any problems with the gap and it's been a couple of years.

All the best to you @smoochy.

[smoochy]

what a frustrating morning. I went in prepared for the oral surgery. Which was explained to me, after xray, as much more extensive than previously anticipated. So then the doctor said he wouldn't do it without medical clearance from my cardiologist. They faxed a form to his office which he may or may not see today. So my dental thing has to be rescheduled. That's life with a bad cardiac history and pacemaker. Everything requires an act of congress.