dental implants

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Narg, I had an implant last year to replace a back molar. I'm really pleased I did it- it's a bit of a long process from seat to finish but worth it. Mine was done at Flagstaff Clinic in Colchester.

I am currently undergoing another course of dental treatment involving extractions and implants were suggested and immediately declined by me! At £2000 each I'd need 8 of them so that's a non-starter.
My problems arise not from lack of regular check ups but because a severe infection effectively tracked along my jaw and destroyed some teeth as it went. The weird thing was I didn't know, or have any pain, until it was quite advanced
I've chosen a private denture and am about to begin 7 weekly visits, can't say I look forward to the experience!
Teeth - a pain when they come and more pain when they go!

Reported

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DH doesn't like the term Doctor but, certainly round here, all the young ones use the title and people do seem to be more impressed by it. If you can't beat 'em, join them!

Isn't it strange how we see things - I would have automatically assumed that a 'Mr' out-trumps a 'Dr' (shows how wrong that assumption was lol)

DH doesn't like the term Doctor but, certainly round here, all the young ones use the title and people do seem to be more impressed by it. If you can't beat 'em, join them!

Different dentists have different specialisms - just as one might be an orthodontist so another might be a specialist in implants. All dentists have to complete a specific number of courses, some basic refresher courses and some around their specific interest, over a set period of time.

Yes, I've just read that on the GDC website (I was curious why I'd made such a distinction). It does seem that although they carry the same title of surgeon, there can be quite a difference in their skill sets - that doesn't make it easy to know which can do what effectively.

My old dentist didn't use the term 'Dr' but 'Mr' - maybe that's where my confusion came from? All I know is, he was the best dentist imagineable and highly skilled - dentists on the Island thought my dental work had been done privately! That's why I continued to travel back to Birmingham!

Not all dentists will have done, or want to do, the extra training required to do implants. Very few, if any, dentists do anaesthetics now but they are all dental surgeons. At the moment they are all allowed to take the courtesy title 'Doctor'

seasider - I have been looking up why there appears to be a difference if they are all surgeons. It seems that they can opt to specialise in certain areas of dentistry and there is a register of dental surgeons that lists what they have chosen to specialise in, this may help you to find a suitable dentist in your area: www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Specialistlist/Pages/default.aspx

Sorry seasider, I don't live in Lancashire so I'm not able to help - hopefully, someone else on here lives closer and may have some suggestions.

Is your current dentist not all you would like them to be? You could visit a few to get information from them, price, how long it will all take, ask them how many times they have performed the procedure and then make comparisons; sorry, I can't think of any other advice to give. Good luck though and I hope you find someone

I'd just like to point out that ALL dentists are dental surgeons.

I thought there was a difference as some dentists will offer general anaesthetic and others won't. My husband's dentist didn't even mention implants and wanted to give him dentures so, again, I assumed one must have been higher qualified than the other.

I'd just like to point out that ALL dentists are dental surgeons.

I am considering implants but unsure where to go.Any recommendations in Lancashire area ?

Don't let age be a barrier to getting implants. As you get older it is so important to be able to chew properly and gig east your food. As Hollydaze says - pick your dental surgeon with care - mine is a Dr /dentist and teaches at a dental hospital. Came extremely well recommended and is a very pleasant chap. Don't let the treatment be rushed and ensure any surgery us done under sterile conditions. I too had no problems but it took a lot of visits and a lot of patience.

If I was 20 years younger, I'd think about it seriously.

the joy of being able to enjoy a steak without fear of bridges coming adrift overcomes any drawbacks

I think that was the decider for my husband!

The local dentist had wanted to remove nearly all of my husband's teeth (his dental hygiene was not brilliant) and my husband was distraught. I had carried on seeing my old dentist in Birmingham (he was a dental surgeon, not just a dentist like the local chap) and I spoke to him about solutions other than dentures. He asked my husband to go and see him. They met and the procedure went ahead (my husband was a very heavy smoker as well) over several months where nearly all of the teeth were replaced with implants. I don't recall him having any serious problems afterwards but he was absolutely delighted and each tooth has been shaped to match the original. Yes, it cost thousands but he considered being able to eat what he wanted to be worth it. He also took more care of his teeth once he hadn't got them for free

I have had my implants for three years now. Not cheap but worth every penny. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the aftercare. You have to be so meticulous about cleaning- two minutes night and morning with an electric toothbrush after using teepees or floss to remove any debris/plaque. Corsydol mouthwash a couple of times a week and regular hygienist appointments for de scaling etc. I tend to make plaque very easily despite a rigorous cleaning regime but the joy of being able to enjoy a steak without fear of bridges coming adrift overcomes any drawbacks!

Long way to go if you have any problems though!

Dental implants can be bloody expensive! But from scouring the net I have found that going abroad is an option worth considering. Places like Poland and Hungary have really good quality dentists but the cost of treatment there is much lower.I know a few people who have saved thousands this way, and had a holiday at the same time! Have a google of something like 'dental implants abroad' or 'dental implant cost' and have a look around at a few sites to compare

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That's an individual question. If you are a non-smoker than it will be
a good solution. Out of hygienic view an alternative will be the better choise.
In any case you should consult the dentist to explain all the disadvantages
that could appear in the future. In any case thats a hard question to
answer.
Michael

I lost all my teeth at an early age, top set at 19 and the bottom ones a few years later. They even removed my wisdom teeth as soon as they came through, to avoid damaging the dentures! I think it was fashionable at the time or something. Not very enlightened anyway. I have had to wear dentures ever since and now with all the bone loss they really do take some keeping in place. Because of the usual problems with dentures I recently looked into the All on 4 system of implants, and it does look great, but I would definitely have to mortgage my house to afford it, which I can't afford to do, and at my age it really seems pointless. I'll just continue to struggle on as I am but for anyone who can afford it, it does look good.

I used to have a complete upper plate, and back bottom teeth anchored onto my own 6 bottom front teeth. But those remaining 6 teeth disintegrated in the end, and now they are all false, north and south. I'm fine with them, though i preferred it when my bottom teeth clipped onto my own teeth. I have a small-ish mouth, and the dental technician said it was a good shape for false teeth.

My husband has false ones north and south too, but has really awful trouble with them: he has a large mouth, rather difficult to fit. He manages by using dental fixative top and bottom.

We would both love implants if they could do them for a full mouth - not sure if they can. Anyway, we cannot afford it so it doesn't matter. It is probably simpler to have false teeth if you can get good ones that fit really well, as mine do. But some folks aren't lucky enough to have the sort of mouth that works well with them.

Decisions decisions decisions, eh?

I had an implant 2 years ago. No problems whatsoever, no pain, no after effects and my dentist always says it looks healthy. Only problem really was the cost, but I'm glad I went for it.