Re: Dental question

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

I am in the process of gum grafts and no doubt implants on the bottom where I have had teeth missing ever since I can remember. I did wear a partial bottom denture until recently, but half the time I would forget it and it finally didn't fit any more. The periodontist I'm going to is very skilled and very expensive. My dental insurance does not pay for implants or gum grafts so it's all on me.I really think teeth are important, but I remember my Grandma wore dentures only when she dined out. That woman could chew nuts without her dentures in. The periodontist already told me I do not have bone loss where the bottom teeth are missing so I would be a candidate for implants. If you have the money for implants I would say go for it. That being said, I would have all my teeth extracted and opt for dentures if I didn't have so many teeth left. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Please consider implants.

I have done all three options - crowns, implants and holes from teeth being pulled.

I have many root canals and crowns. But as someone stated they only last so long. And I now have had 2 implants.

If done right they should last forever.

I have two holes in my mouth. Not sure what I will do. Both are because the Dentist messed up. But both are toward the back.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@qualitygal wrote:
At this point in your life, would you get a dental implant or just have them pull the tooth and be done with it?

Do you now have caps, bridges, or just fillings?

How do you feel about false teeth?

I have all of the above.

I wouldn't do implants because of the cost and the amount of time it takes from start to finish.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@NameAlreadyTaken wrote:
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.

Thank you for that honesty. I am so sorry for all that pain you are encountering. That's exactly some of the thoughts and additional info on all this I have come across. I really appreciate all that. @Nonametoday

Karie2022 · ‎03-26-2010

i just went thru this, I needed a tooth pulled, so I got a bridge, needed three crowns besides the bridge and two root canals...I don’t think my mouth will ever be the same...so sorry I didn’t get a second opinion, the dentist I saw is very aggressive..I also was sedated twice which I would never do again..I didn’t feel a thing, but that’s part of the problem, no communication with your dentist..my bite has never been right even after going back, and varies thru out the day, don’t even know how that’s possible.. so I’m now seeing a new dentist...won’t even get into what it cost me.

I’m in my early 50’s should have gone for an implant...my bridge always feels “high” to me and un natural and bulky...wish I had the work done piece meal, not all at once and got a second opinion...just seemed like the way to go at the time as I’m a dental phobe

Hopefully you have a great dentist, if you are unsure, get a second opinion...dental work is so costly, and affects your life if done incorrectly.

Take time every day to enjoy where you are without a need to fix it

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Karie2022 wrote:
i just went thru this, I needed a tooth pulled, so I got a bridge, needed three crowns besides the bridge and two root canals...I don’t think my mouth will ever be the same...so sorry I didn’t get a second opinion, the dentist I saw is very aggressive..I also was sedated twice which I would never do again..I didn’t feel a thing, but that’s part of the problem, no communication with your dentist..my bite has never been right even after going back, and varies thru out the day, don’t even know how that’s possible.. so I’m now seeing a new dentist...won’t even get into what it cost me.

I’m in my early 50’s should have gone for an implant...my bridge always feels “high” to me and un natural and bulky...wish I had the work done piece meal, not all at once and got a second opinion...just seemed like the way to go at the time as I’m a dental phobe

Hopefully you have a great dentist, if you are unsure, get a second opinion...dental work is so costly, and affects your life if done incorrectly.

Don't kick yourself. I had some of the finest opinions available to me and my brother (a dentist) and still ended up with all this. My brother says he feels like suing himself for advising me. I told him I would accept his apology if he would pay me back all the money I spent. He slinked away with his money and attitude intact.

MsChiff · ‎03-17-2010

While it's always best to keep your own teeth, sometimes that's just not possible. My father had dentures from his late 20s until he died at 82. He rarely had problems with them and his face looked fine when he had his dentures in.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I have fillings, and have had 6 root canals; no caps, no bridges, no implants, and did not replace the few back teeth I’ve had pulled.

Both of my parents had upper and lower dentures in their 20’s, and my brothers and I have had a lot of dental work thru the years in an effort to maintain our teeth. I have dental coverage and see my dentist regularly; have X-rays, cleanings, etc., but my dentist knows I will not agree to caps, crowns or implants. I am not against dentures.

My parents did fine with dentures, my husband has done fine with dentures. However, I could never convince my parents that dentures wear out and need to be replaced every few years; you don’t buy a pair, wear them for 40 years and think these teeth will do me until I die!

When my husband got new dentures thru the VA, he insisted on holding onto his old set, as a spare! I made it clear they were worn out, and made sure they went out in the garbage. His teeth were made thru a local dental clinic that could get him in quickly if there was a need; he would never need to try to wear his old teeth!

lulu1 · ‎03-29-2011

I am 67 and have had 3 implants (all lower molars) since I've turned 60. I would not be without these "teeth". Believe what you may, my oral surgeon said without them I could be in for more trouble down the line. Adjacent teeth may shift but even more important, top molars need bottom molars to rest on.

As another poster said, her implant is the best tooth in her mouth. My 3 implants are my best.

The biggest drawback is the cost. My insurance would only pay for the tooth extraction.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

I just got two implants and am working on the third. One tooth had a hairline fracture by the root. Another had a cavity under a crown. Third tooth was missing for a long time. Insurance covered nothing so it has been very expensive. Went to an implant specialist for the implants and regular dentist for the teeth.