Seeking Advice on Dental Implant and Oral Surgeon

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OP,

Real (the $5k kind) implants are the way to go if you can afford it. I've got several. Totally trouble free. While I noticed that my periodontist was driving a Jaguar, it's been worth it. Quality of life destroying dental problems in geezerhood are something I've wanted to avoid and, at 75, so far so good.

The biggest problem is that the process takes 9 - 12 months.

Great advice! We can afford it and know that teeth are important. Both of my parents had dental issues so they made sure we understood the need to take care of our teeth.

 

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I had to have an implant in my upper front tooth due to resorption. Where the tooth attacks it’s own roots.
I went to the dental specialist my dentist referred me to and he and his staff were great. I went back for several years for a check up in he finally released me-as long as I promised to see my regular dentist every 6 months which I do.

Same as others have said- specialist dentist pulled the tooth and put in the implant. I had to wear a fake tooth for 4 months until it all healed. Then my regular dentist screwed in the abutment and put on the cap.

I can’t remember the exact cost but I think I paid $2,000 out of pocket. Insurance paid at least that much. It started in one calendar year and finished in another so my $2,000 dental coverage limit reset before the abutment and cap cost. Didn’t plan it that way but it was nice!

The worst part for me was the fake tooth. But it was sure better than not having a front tooth!
My implant looks fine but I still miss having my own tooth.
It’s been 7 years.

Thanks Irishgirlyc58! We didn't realize the process takes so long.

 

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Well, yes but it's basically 2 or 3 events spaced out. Extract, plug the base with a new anchor is day 1. Sore weekend, eat soft foods for a day or 3.



Then wait for a few months, then get the new tooth.



It's best with a lower tooth not to go longer than necessary, to avoid any issues with it's upper partner.



Mine was about $4k, in 2016, insurance paid part of it as I was still on employer/cobra. But even then my part was about $2500. Honestly looks and feels better than the root/crown I had for decades.



Similar to the OP, mine was replacing a tooth that had a root canal 20+ years prior which was now coming loose. As long as I have the jaw and gums, a straight implant to fully replace a tooth is the way I'd go. No bridge or multi-tooth implants in chunks, I hope.

Thank you! In an earlier reply I mentioned it would be nice to save the tooth if possible. After DH arrived home, he said the dentist felt movement in the tooth which is why she isn't optimistic. She told him that if it was her tooth, she'd just lean toward a permanent solution by getting an implant.

 

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A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and share their experiences to help us better understand implants, the process, cost, etc.

The antibiotics kicked in overnight and DH woke up this morning feeling significantly less pain.

I will post an update once DH sees the oral surgeon. After reading reviews, we are leaning heavily toward the DDS MD and will see him first.

Thanks again!!!!

 

[gailwinters]

I had an implant to replace an anchor tooth for a bridge. The anchor tooth, which had a root canal, developed a crack and I could feel movement in the bridge. My dentist gave me the option of extraction and another bridge or extraction and an implant with two teeth. The implant was actually cheaper, $3900, including a bone graft, as opposed to $5000 for the bridge. I was hesitant to grind down another tooth to anchor another bridge (the current one replaced a prior one when I had to have the root canal).

I opted for the implant. It’s been complete for almost two years and I’m very happy with the decision.

 

[BooBoo]

My oral surgeon included the possibility of failure in his list of caveats. TeacherTerry has mentioned problems with hers too, although I believe hers were implants to secure full dentures.

Was your wife on meds to increase bone density, by any chance? They can cause osteonecrosis in the jawbone. Thanks for the heads-up, though. It sounds like if I ever have vague health issues that can't be diagnosed I better get a panoramic X-ray of my jaws.

She was not on any meds. The panoramic X-rays were used to determine extent of damage. She had little or no pain. I wish they had been done sooner.

 

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Update:

DH visited the oral surgeon this afternoon and confirmed that the tooth needs to be extracted. Evidently the tooth is the source of the infection, and it is loose. The extraction and a titanium post are scheduled for August 5th.

Some good news in all of this is that the bone looks great. There will be about a 4 months wait before he gets the crown, and our regular dentist will do the crown.

The oral surgeon said the post will remain exposed (no temporary) for the entire 4 months.

Estimated cost for extraction and post is $3350 before insurance. We'll wind up paying just under half of that. This does not include the price of the crown.

Thanks again to everyone who responded earlier. Because of you kind folks, DH went in with a list of questions and a pretty good understanding of the process.