Good old removable dentures or implants?

[vicente solano]

I need to do a complete overhaul of my teeth, that is, take all the little critters out. Several dentists have told me that I should spring for the implants. But I´m scared to death of the pain involved during/after the setting of them/ or getting used to them/ or the possible refusal/rejections or.... whatever.
I´ve heard more horror stories than happy endings about implants.
Believe it or not your comments will play a decisive part on my decision on what to choose.
Thanks for your help.

 

[W2R]

I haven't had either, but if I were faced with that decision I'd go for the implants, despite the expense!

Modern dentistry is nearly pain free and my dentist is really careful not to cause me any serious pain, since he knows I am so terribly afraid. Pain would not be a concern.

I haven't heard of any horror stories at all. Be sure to have it done by someone who is well qualified and knows what he is doing.

 

[ziggy29]

My wife is currently in the middle of the implant process for a front upper tooth that was damaged when she was a kid. She should be getting the abutment and crown in January. I'm sure we'll have more to report after that time. Right now she has a removable retainer-like "flipper" for cosmetic purposes. She's looking forward to Halloween this year and going "toothless."

 

[Texas Proud]

Well, you choice is a bit different than my mother and BIL...

My mother lost one tooth, instead of a bridge or denture for the one tooth she chose to go the implant route... it does take awhile, and you need to get someone good... but she loves it..

My BIL was the first one. He had something like a 7 tooth bridge that would cost $10K every once in awhile... then one of his anchor tooth was bothering him... he decided to go the implant way. Now, the 7 tooth bridge was not his only one, so he had to do both uppper and lower..

His first dentist (actually the doctor... can not remember what you call them - orthodontist?)... was not good and the first part of the implant did not go well. He called around and found another and went to him. He fixed the problem and finished the process. BIL loved it... he was first, so my mom went to this guy so only one bad story...

 

[calmloki]

Almost a year ago my gal had her remaining 21 teeth removed, implant posts placed and got the removable implants. It was, has been, a long and not a pain free process by a long, long shot. A lot of self concept is involved with what your teeth look like. As an artistic sort, she had real issues with the change in her appearance. The removable implants are far preferable to regular dentures which are worn while one heals from having the teeth pulled and the posts placed and grown into the bone - she hated the plate on the roof of her mouth and feeling like she couldn't talk - no room for her tongue. She continues to make small sculptural changes to the shape of the removable set so that they suit her - makes me crazy seeing her going at a spendy set of choppers with a pumice stone and a bit of broken dremel tool grinding wheel, but its her mouth, she knows better than the dentist exactly what doesn't feel right, and she can make incremental changes over days to get them as good as possible. Too much talking wears her out, food gets caught underneath them. OTOH, she can chew ice or drink hot coffee without pain, she can chomp up steak rather than cutting tiny bites to swallow, and the only other choice was having fewer and fewer teeth and eating a mush diet. Oh - she used to have all her dental work done without novacaine or gas or anything - she does far better with pain than I - and if she was in tears..... Sorry Vincente

Addendum: these are removable implants - metal posts have been placed in the gums, the posts have little round ball tops screwed onto them, and the dentures have O-rings inset into them that pop over the balls to keep the dentures in place. Result is that no goop or adhesive is required, no roof of the mouth covering plate either.

 

[W2R]

I haven't had either, but

Almost a year ago my gal had her remaining 21 teeth removed, implant posts placed

Wait! Maybe I *have* had an implant. I broke off a molar at the gum line in 1999, a month after I first arrived in New Orleans. I had no idea who to call, so I called a dentist in an upscale neighborhood near the house I was renting. He had a young dentist right out of dental school working with him, and that is who I ended up with.

The young dentist put in posts and then "built a tooth" around the posts. That tooth was a tremendous success and has been the same as a real tooth for me for the past ten years. It looks and functions exactly like my natural teeth. I don't think of it as an implant.

This dentist probably got more of a thrill out of my new tooth than I did, being young and enthusiastic. He opened his own office shortly thereafter, and has been my dentist ever since.

Getting the implant was not any more painful than getting a filling or other dental procedures, and it feels like a regular tooth (no pain). The biggest pain was the pain of paying the bill. It cost more than a root canal.

 

[mn54]

Wait! Maybe I *have* had an implant. I broke off a molar at the gum line in 1999, a month after I first arrived in New Orleans. I had no idea who to call, so I called a dentist in an upscale neighborhood near the house I was renting. He had a young dentist right out of dental school working with him, and that is who I ended up with.

The young dentist put in posts and then "built a tooth" around the posts. That tooth was a tremendous success and has been the same as a real tooth for me for the past ten years. It looks and functions exactly like my natural teeth. I don't think of it as an implant.

This dentist probably got more of a thrill out of my new tooth than I did, being young and enthusiastic. He opened his own office shortly thereafter, and has been my dentist ever since.

Getting the implant was not any more painful than getting a filling or other dental procedures, and it feels like a regular tooth (no pain). The biggest pain was the pain of paying the bill. It cost more than a root canal.

That was not an implant. What happened was you had previously had a root canal tx. done on that molar. It fractured and the dentist put a post into the root of the tooth and built it up and put a crown on it. You still have the roots of the tooth in your mouth. No implant.

 

[mn54]

If you can afford to have implants done by all means do it. It is night and day difference between full dentures with vs. without implants. They will stay in better, you can eat and speak better. No comparison. Make sure you see someone who has alot of experience doing them. I work with an oral surgeon and a periodontist who are both very good at placing implants. Talk to your dentist and see who he recommends.

 

[ziggy29]

Getting the implant was not any more painful than getting a filling or other dental procedures, and it feels like a regular tooth (no pain). The biggest pain was the pain of paying the bill. It cost more than a root canal.

Looking at my wife's treatment plan, if all goes well the total will come to about $4,000. Fortunately the treatment plan goes over two calendar years (2009 and 2010), so more insurance can kick in. It looks like our share net of insurance will be about $2,400.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I'd do the implants if the cost is palatable (pun intended) and if I felt I had time left to enjoy them. The pain/discomfort of the implant process is temporary barring complications--dealing with dentures is forever.

 

[Bimmerbill]

I had an implant done to replace a missing tooth (I am missing 4 teeth on the bottom, never had them) after getting orthodontics.

It wasn't bad at all. My first post failed and got infected. The dentist removed it, packed it with bovine bone, and we had to wait 4 months to try again. Second one is fine. I really didn't feel any bone pain, it was mostly gum pain as the dentist wanted to get the second post in perfect and made a pretty big gum flap he had to stitch back up.

 

[Purron]

My mother has had two dental implants. According to her, the process was lenghty, but not any more painful than other major dental procedures. If faced with the choice, I would go the dental implant route over dentures.

 

[W2R]

That was not an implant. What happened was you had previously had a root canal tx. done on that molar. It fractured and the dentist put a post into the root of the tooth and built it up and put a crown on it. You still have the roots of the tooth in your mouth. No implant.

Thanks - - you're absolutely right. I have had a zillion root canals, so that tooth probably had had one as well. You obviously know what you are talking about, and I notice from your profile that you are a dentist so that would explain it. It's great to have a dentist chiming in on these threads.

OK, then I haven't had an implant.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

If the dentist says your bone is good enough and you can afford it, I would go for the implants hands down.

 

[novaman]

I'm a dentist-

How many teeth are you missing? And what do you currently have to replace these missing teeth?

 

[Ronstar]

DW has one and it wasnt painful. She said she has seen tv ads where the whole process can now be done in one day.

 

[Brat]

I am currently in the process of getting an implant. First an abscessed molar was removed. Because I had been using Fosamax the periodontist waited to see how my jaw bone recovered. Now he is ready to put in the post. Then I wait as the jawbone heals before the tooth is installed.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I have a dental implant, a molar on my mandible. I had a root canal and crowned tooth that had a hairline crack. I had to have it pulled due to chronic pain from the crack. I couldn't bear to have a missing tooth and didn't want a bridge so I had an implant. No problems and I can't tell it from a natural tooth. I floss daily and brush a couple of times a day. I think the implant cost about the same as a three-unit bridge.

 

[calmloki]

tooth. post. Vincente, don't know how many teeth you have and if they are uppers and/or lowers, but perhaps one of the dentists will describe the process and timeline for someone with your complement of teeth who is having them all removed. You are a smoker if I recall - the gal's dentist suggested a 10% increase in post failure rate for smokers. She got an even dozen posts placed so if she decided to go with non-removable dentures the posts would be there and ready. With the odds suggesting she would have a failure she quit smoking for the event and has stayed quit.

I don't like seeing people hurt. It really bothers me seeing someone I love hurt. Her dentist was not straightforward about what she could expect - oh - he instructs in implant procedure. There were a number of issues including a miserable set of temporary dentures that wouldn't even let her close her teeth together. He has multiple offices, was local only once a week and my gal thought that she was just being a baby and that things were maybe progressing normally. Wouldn't let me have a nice calm conversation with the dentist.

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Implants. By a competent dentist.

And take better care of yourself.

 

[vicente solano]

Calmloki: What I fear is that iin many cases mplants seem to take a long time to get settled confortably; and once you agree to the procedure you can´t really go back- you are railroaded into all sort of trials and tribulations. I´ve known people that have been suffering a whole year with plenty of corrections and stuff...and still not entirely satisfied.

 

[MayGray]

Before you make the decision, you must have your dentist (or specialist) check the condition of your jawbones. Then check the condition of your wallet. Around here implants are $1,000 or more each.

 

[Orchidflower]

I had a friend who was thrown thru a car when she was in her teens and lost most of her front teeth. She had caps and crowns for a long time that looked horrid, frankly. When she married a guy who had great dental benefits she got all implants. She loved them. I know of no horror stories myself.
Frankly,Vicente, I say go for implants. But get the best dentist you can whether in Spain or out of the country.
If I need implants I'd consider going to Mexico where I could find a (much cheaper) dentist who studied in the States...but that's just me.

 

[ratface]

Next door neighbor had her entire mouth done yesterday. He tells me it was close to $40K and took out a loan on his house. Said it will take about a week to recuperate.

 

[vicente solano]

Next door neighbor had her entire mouth done yesterday. He tells me it was close to $40K and took out a loan on his house. Said it will take about a week to recuperate.

Hi Ratface! Nice to hear from you and see that you are well enough to pay attention to my silly posts about my wretched teeth
A week to recuperate about what? Pain due to the exttraction , the loss of said teeth or the fright after seeing the bill the bill...
Excuse my ignorance....by 40K you mean 40 000 bucks?
In my case it´s going to be a bit over 15 000... and a lot of fear!!