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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,597
Registered: ‎03-18-2010

I'm 70 and would not want dentures -- I'd pay for implants.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,195
Registered: ‎07-15-2016

I would never consider implants for rear teeth.   Front teeth?  Yes.

 

I'm missing some molars, and have partial dentures upper and lower.   

 

I have dental veneers on the remaining back teeth, and my front teeth have all been bonded.  

 

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,401
Registered: ‎06-06-2011

@qualitygal I'm 72 and just had an implant where I lost a back molar and two bridges done this summer. When I went through chemo about 16 years ago, I lost three top teeth (one on one side and two on the other) and had a partial all these years. Well, one of the teeth that held the partial broke and needed a crown. Since I needed a crown, anyway, I told my dentist just to proceed with a bridge and then I opted to have a bridge on the other side as well. Yikes $$ I believe our teeth can really make a difference in our appearance and overall health. The thing about leaving a space where a tooth was is that it can affect the health of the opposite tooth (top or bottom) and you take a chance of bone loss.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert A. Heinlein
Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,853
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

I still have all of my teeth, but one molar in the back  has a crown on it.  I would never pull a tooth if I didn’t have to and would always opt for a crown, cap, filling or implant if I needed them.  If I was 100 years old, I’d still do the same.

 

I am crazy concerned about my teeth and take excellent care of them.  I just recently had my gums checked where the hygienist calls out numbers while;she tests the gums around each tooth. All of my numbers were either one or two.  I have no idea what that means, but when I asked, I was told that my gums were in perfect health and I was more fortunate than most people including my dentist and hygienist.

 

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 816
Registered: ‎06-04-2017

@qualitygal I have been really lucky with having no problems with my teeth. That is until last August. I had a tooth that was cracked down to the root. My dentist gave me 2 choices, pull and get a bridge or pull and get an implant. I decided to get the implant and it was the best decision I made. 

Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see. It is just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly "You Got This - Keep Going"
Honored Contributor
Posts: 23,835
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I have a mouthful of crowns. I had three root canals last year( crowned teeth that died). I suppose I will end up having to have some implants in the future....root canaled teeth do not last forever. 

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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,595
Registered: ‎12-22-2013

Implant with an expert.  I have one and it's a marvel!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 30,249
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

In April I had a cadiver bone put into my jaw preparing for a dental implant.  I had to wait at least 4 months for it to hold & heal.

 

Probably next month the dentist will be putting an implant into my mouth.  It's the last tooth, bottom.  I can't chew on that side right now (it was a wisdom tooth I chewed with).

 

My dentist left it up to me about getting it done.  I said, "I want to be able to chew on that side of my mouth too.  I have terrible dry mouth caused by medicine.  It has done a terrible job on my teeth.  You would never know it but I have lots of caps on my teeth.  They are all the same color and he's done an amazing job.  It has also cost a small fortune but I think it's worth it.

 

My friend didn't have the month for caps, so she had her front teeth pulled and now has false teeth.  She's happy with her decision and they look fine.  Everyone has to decide what they can afford and what's best for them.

 

Thanks to my dentist I don't have any bridges...

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,243
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Lets see.  I had crowns and a bridge.  Believe or not, I swallowed my crowns and almost swallowed the bridge.  I AM NOW THE PROUD OWNER OF 7 IMPLANTS.  I could have bought a car... but after two whole years I am very pleased... happy.... elated... grateful and all the good stuff.  I am feeling new and young again.  I am 27 backwards.  LOL

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,432
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

No.  I would not spend a lot of money on my teeth if I had it to do over.  I spent over $100,000 in my mouth in a short period of time.  My bite is now off.  I have implants, root canals,bridges, and a mouth full of crowns.  Prior to that through the years, I had root canals and crowns.  The more than 6 figures was spent in just the past 5 years and as a result, I have trigeminal neuralgia (a/k/a the suicide disease).

 

No, I would go with false teeth.  Unless you have had the experience with trigeminal neuralgia, temporomanidbular joint disease, bite being off, constant neck pain, you have no idea the suffering I have been through.

 

I have several acquaintances who have very nice false teeth and they do not suffer the neck pain, face pain, eye pain, ear, neck and jaw pain I have from trigeminal neuralgia, a  bite being off and temporomandibular joint disease, even with the best of dental work.  I have a mouth piece to the tune of $1000 which has to be changed every few months to year as my mouth shifts secondary to all the dental work and grinding my teeth from the pain.