Finally, I can smile!

My Mum had implants put in due to being allergic to dentures. She started her treatment aged 79. Took nearly 2 years and cost over £20 000.

I have always had trouble with my teeth due to having a dry mouth,. So 10 years ago when my 4 teeth bridge fell out I decided on implants. All my top teeth were in a terrible state so I had them all replaced with implants. The dentist who did it was also a surgeon at the dental hospital and worked on reconstruction of the mouth and jaw. My teeth were removed and artificial bone was added where needed and 4 implants put in straight away, they were little caps. I had a plate of false teeth to wear while we waited 9 months for the implants to take. I then had a plate made and that fixed onto my implants. It was the best way because of my dry mouth as it meant I could take them out to clean. It was the best thing I ever had done and cost a fortune. I have now just finished having my bottom ones done but with just two implants and a load of artificial bone. The cost for the bottom ones came to £12,500 but believe me it’s worth every penny and today for the first time I ate an apple. Never again will I have to worry about tooth ache.

Quoted £2500 per implant, lost one tooth ( 🦷 ) each side, dentist suggested a plate- 🤔not sure?

Well done.

Hi loved reading your stories, I was 13 when I started going to the school dentist, he filled every tooth, there was no pain relief and scared me for life off dentists, so I don’t care how they were paid they were sadists.

Casdon

FoghornLeghorn

I had two implants during Covid. Yes the process is a bit drawn out as it’s done in stages but it certainly didn’t take a year. More like three or four months. I’m now eighteen weeks into an aligner programme. I used to have lovely teeth but as I’ve aged they were starting to become crooked. I’m happy to see the improvement each week and am on track to be done by week 26. Then some composite bonding on my two chipped front teeth, then whitening and I’m done. I shall continue to whiten them at home as required as I’ve done this for years anyway. To me it’s well worth the money I’ve spent.

I don’t understand how an implant could be done in that length of time foghornleghorn. I waited 10 weeks after extraction before the post was initially fitted, my dentist told me that is the minimum. I’ve now waited 10 weeks again for the bone to grow around the implant post he told me for some people this stage can take up to 6 months), and I’m going to the dentist in two weeks for the post to be redone. So I’m up to 20 weeks already, and still have a way to go.

That was per implant. I only ever had one post per implant. Didn’t have to have them redone. I’m pleased with them - haven’t experienced any problems.

Mt61

FoghornLeghorn

I had two implants during Covid. Yes the process is a bit drawn out as it’s done in stages but it certainly didn’t take a year. More like three or four months. I’m now eighteen weeks into an aligner programme. I used to have lovely teeth but as I’ve aged they were starting to become crooked. I’m happy to see the improvement each week and am on track to be done by week 26. Then some composite bonding on my two chipped front teeth, then whitening and I’m done. I shall continue to whiten them at home as required as I’ve done this for years anyway. To me it’s well worth the money I’ve spent.

Was that a small fortune?

Implants £1900 each. Aligner programme £3700.

My poor teeth have been badly damaged by years of Crohn's Disease and chemotherapy, looked dreadful and were falling apart.

At the beginning of this year I went to Turkey for implants (please don't judge).

The care and attention to detail were beyond my expectations. After multiple head CT scans and no less than three dentists thoroughly examining my teeth they told me they wouldn't do implants as my bone density was poor, most likely because of chemo and the implants would likely fail within 12 months.

They did crowns instead and I'm so, so happy.

I completely understand the OP's happiness and confidence with their their new teeth.

(The bonus for me was that the crowns cost less than the implants, so they weren't just out for getting their hands on my money).

Good for you …..nice teeth really are an asset as you age! I never liked my crooked front teeth and wonky gum line - I was very self conscious of this when I smiled so I took the leap and had porcelain caps over both top and bottom teeth when I was in my late 50’s…..quite a few appts and many long hours in the dentist’s chair……and pretty costly ……,but never once have I regretted it! And the best thing is that they never change colour or get stained.

Madmeg, I was in a similar situation and the first thing my dentist asked was not about my teeth, but about the raw part on my cheek, which wouldn't heal.

I told her that I seemed to be biting my cheek in my sleep, but she insisted in monitoring it, rightly so.

Someone I know lost their tongue, due to oral cancer. By the time he sought help, it was too late.

I wish you well. 💐

To the lady who hasn't been to the dentist in a long time PLEASE GO. My dentist spotted unusual discolouration inside my cheek last autumn and referred me to the hospital. It was oral cancer and I have had 12 months of stress, worry, pain and the rest during the treatment - not yet had the final results.

Otherwise, same here with crooked and yellowish teeth. Bone loss means no chance of implants or similar - I have a partial denture at the bottom, best I can do.

A very good friend lost most of her teeth in her forties and the remaining ones were severely discoloured, but after a while I stopped noticing. She made an effort with her hair, make-up and clothes and had a great sense of fun. I just wish she wasn't in a care home suffering from dementia.

Very pleased for you, Sago. I wish that those of you who are so self-conscious about your teeth would smile because you are almost certainly the only person who is aware of them. Despite braces in my late teens, my front teeth are not as straight as I would like, but when I mentioned it to friends l was told that they had never noticed. In any case, I will smile regardless. Kate1949, you have told us your very sad story before and I feel so cross on your behalf that your parents were so neglectful and that the dentist who obviously did not even try to save any of your teeth. I'm sure your dentures look fine - these days then are much more natural in appearance.
In a few circumstances implants are available on the NHS. A friend of mine was born with a cleft palate and had a number of operations as a child and teenager. One legacy has, understandably been a lifetime of dental problems. Around eighteen months ago, a front tooth fell out while she was eating her breakfast. She went to her dentist who referred her to an implant specialist. The specialist told her that people with cleft palates have shorter roots than normal and that she needed a few more teeth to be extacted, including the other front tooth, but she would be eligible for implants on the NHS. She is around halfway through the treatment and has a small denture at the front in the meantime. This denture looks very natural - unless you knew you would be unaware that they were false teeth - and she has said how happy she is with them and even if the implants did not work for any reason, she would not mind continuing to wear the plate.

FoghornLeghorn

I had two implants during Covid. Yes the process is a bit drawn out as it’s done in stages but it certainly didn’t take a year. More like three or four months. I’m now eighteen weeks into an aligner programme. I used to have lovely teeth but as I’ve aged they were starting to become crooked. I’m happy to see the improvement each week and am on track to be done by week 26. Then some composite bonding on my two chipped front teeth, then whitening and I’m done. I shall continue to whiten them at home as required as I’ve done this for years anyway. To me it’s well worth the money I’ve spent.

I don’t understand how an implant could be done in that length of time foghornleghorn. I waited 10 weeks after extraction before the post was initially fitted, my dentist told me that is the minimum. I’ve now waited 10 weeks again for the bone to grow around the implant post he told me for some people this stage can take up to 6 months), and I’m going to the dentist in two weeks for the post to be redone. So I’m up to 20 weeks already, and still have a way to go.

Happy days.
It must be great after disliking the look of your teeth for years.

I've just had four crowns replaced at the top front after having them for over 30 years. The porcelain on one had cracked so I decided to have all four replaced. My gums had receded too. Well, I'm absolutely thrilled despite each tooth cost nigh on £800. I'm lucky that I can afford it and decided to take advantage of paying over 12 months on interest free credit (better in my account than theirs). My twin is now due to see the dentist to have hers replaced too.

FoghornLeghorn

I had two implants during Covid. Yes the process is a bit drawn out as it’s done in stages but it certainly didn’t take a year. More like three or four months. I’m now eighteen weeks into an aligner programme. I used to have lovely teeth but as I’ve aged they were starting to become crooked. I’m happy to see the improvement each week and am on track to be done by week 26. Then some composite bonding on my two chipped front teeth, then whitening and I’m done. I shall continue to whiten them at home as required as I’ve done this for years anyway. To me it’s well worth the money I’ve spent.

Was that a small fortune?

NanKate

I have my teeth whitened and they look so much better than the yellow ones I was developing. They made a replica of my teeth in some sort of rubber, cost £750 about 12 years ago. I buy bleach from the dentist twice a year £60 for a box of syringes. Never regretted it.

Gosh £750! I paid £250 for trays & 4 syringes of bleach.. 12 yrs ago at the dry..tbh, irritated my teeth & didn’t do it that much- rather have put the money towards a new washer ha

BlueBelle

£58 000 OMG for a few years worth wow some people have a lot of money

Yep. I’d rather give to the kids

Well done and I am glad you feel so good now with your well aligned teeth! However - how many people like or do not like someone on the basis of what their teeth look like? I am celebrating how good the OP is feeling and also suggesting to others with misaligned teeth that you probably mind a great deal more than anyone who knows you. They like you - or sometimes they don't - but it is not about your teeth. So smile anyway! People do like a friendly smile.

Well done you. I’ve had Angel Clear Aligners in for the last 11 months and have just had the go ahead to finish. I’m being fitted with my night time retainers on Tue. Best thing I ever did even though I’m 60 & should have done it years ago.

Well done 👏

Kate1949

Well done. I'm the same as MissI. I never smile. Had all mine removed age 11 due to neglect. I can't imagine what it's like to really smile.

That is so very sad Kate and MissI. 💐

Marydoll 🥰

kittylester

^School dentists from the 60s were horrible and paid per filling^

School dentists were not paid by the filling - it was a salaried service. General dental practioners, however, were paid a fee per item of service.

Yes, sorry - just lazy replying

Bellanonna

Nice to see you kate. Haven’t seen you for a while

...and you to Bellanonna! 🥰