Dental Implants - anybody had them?

Yes Ive got an implant had it done about 6 years ago. It takes a while ( about 6 months and several appointments) and did cost£3k all together I think but as I paid at every stage it was a few hundred at every appointment. It did feel like I’d gone several rounds in a boxing ring after having the implant done but quickly wore off. I’m definitely glad I had it done - much nicer than the tooth on a plate.

A couple of my friends have their vrry expensive but very good .

I did several years ago. It was a palaver and the cost of as much as a second hand car, however it is superb and I wish I’d gone in for two of them!
Remember life should be about no regrets, and this is something really worthwhile in my opinion. So just go for it.

I had one done about 10 years ago . I cracked a tooth and it had to be extracted. Tbh the extraction was more painful than the implant . It takes time as you have the implant inserted and then wait 3-6 months for the crown to be fitted on the implant . Mine was about 3k , but it was so worth it .

I lost a front tooth and had a denture. It was £300. NHS. A complete waste of money, I hated it and couldn't eat properly with it. Everyone said I should have gone for an implant so I did ( very pricey!!) I'm on a temporary implant at the moment, waiting for the final op. Hopefully it will be as good as people tell me!

I had a canine tooth implant six years ago. It was about 2.5 or 3k. It was done all in the one procedure and I never really think about it except when flossing or when questions such as this arise.

I had an implant about ten years ago and had nothing but trouble with it. The reason, my jaw bone was not solid enough to sustain it. It was OK for a few years but then infections set in during Covid and, after a year of antibiotics, I paid privately to have it removed by a maxillo facial surgeon. When he X rayed he said to me that the jaw bone was not dense enough and that is why mine had failed. If I were having one fitted now I would make sure that it was done by someone who really knew their stuff i.e. I should have gone to the maxillo facial surgeon at his private practice in the first place.

All those with implants probably have very solid gums. I was told I couldn’t have implants- fortunately, the gaps are not in my ‘smile zone’ and tbh I have other things/people I could spend my money on .
But, to each his own …..

I was thinking the same CrazyH oh to have 3 grand to spend on myself or on one tooth !!!

I had a toot implant. Many appointments over 10 months. £3700.

I'm well pleased.

I had 2 implants done 15 years ago and another 2 implants 3 years ago. The first two were about 2 grand each and the second two about 3 grand each. I know I am lucky to be able to afford this but it meant no holidays or extras over several years. However I was determined to avoid dentures. I had seen the problems my mother had with hers, the way her mouth shrunk and looked sunken without her teeth and the endless mouth ulcers etc.
The extractions were painful but the actual implants were a breeze although they involved many appointments over several months. I have had no problems whatsoever with any of them. I would recommend wholeheartedly and would have another if I lost another tooth.
If you can afford it go for it!

I have two.
One about 15 years ago and one recently (completed last autumn)
Both done in the UK, both terrific and the recent one was £2,300 over three appointments (and 3 payments). I had my hip done in between so it took nearly a year.

I love that they are trouble free - and given that I always need dental work, at least I don't expect them to cost again and again in future!

No pain to speak of.
Very pleased.

I had a dental implant 8 years ago which is still going strong. Last year I had three more with lots of scans and appointments over six months. Two teeth on a bridge were removed, a sinus lift performed and the implants placed, all without any pain. The teeth look very natural . The worst part was the temporary denture I had while the gums healed and the implants embedded and of course the cost -£7, 500.

GoodAfternoonTea

I had an implant about ten years ago and had nothing but trouble with it. The reason, my jaw bone was not solid enough to sustain it. It was OK for a few years but then infections set in during Covid and, after a year of antibiotics, I paid privately to have it removed by a maxillo facial surgeon. When he X rayed he said to me that the jaw bone was not dense enough and that is why mine had failed. If I were having one fitted now I would make sure that it was done by someone who really knew their stuff i.e. I should have gone to the maxillo facial surgeon at his private practice in the first place.

I’m really sorry yours did not work out GoodAfternoonTea.

I was told I did not have enough bone to support the 2 molars I had side by side replaced with implants. I had a bovine bone graft to overcome this in 2009. To date, I’ve had no problems with them. The teeth were lost due to periodontitis.

I was put off by the price, mainly, and then a couple of horror stories from friends!
I decided to have a partial denture. I don't love it but I accept it as part of my acceptance of getting older.

I've now had a hysterectomy, a replacement hip, BCCs removed and 2 cataract operations. No complaints. Thank you NHS

I had an implant - again in the smile zone. It cost just over £2,000 10 years ago.

Primrose obviously circumstaances will vary. Implant v heating bill. Heating bill wins. Implant v holiday, implant wins. A holiday lasts a few weeks, a nice smile with no gaps showing lasts a lifetime.

My experience was similar to most of those above. £3,000, several visits, paying a portion each time, which softened the blow somewhat. I don't remember pain, just a little soreness. The only complaint I have is that the implant was not colour matched to the capped other front tooth but to other less visible ones. I didn't think to request this as I thought it would be the obvious plan. Nevertheless I have no regrets, not used to spending on myself but can eat without worrying and smile without feeling self conscious. I would urge you to go for it if you can.

I had one, also in the smile zone, it cost around 4k and done by a specialist. My old root area had shrunk so I had beef cells in to bulk the site. It was a daunting experience, scary when I saw the surgical gowns and when I was covered in a green sheet

The pain afterwards was bad but now, a year later I don`t notice the implant.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I had no idea it was such a lengthy procedure. While I was waiting in the dental surgery yesterday I watched the video about implants and it looked very straightforward. I am so busy looking after my husband and son and taking them to hospital appointments that I honestly don’t think I can spare that amount of time.

I am not rushing into anything so may have a bridge instead. Will give it careful thought. I must say the pictures on the video looked excellent.

Yes I have one, really pleased with it but pricey though.

Had my first implant done 30 years ago by a maxillofacial surgeon and 9 years ago had 2 more on a bridge by the same surgeon who ow teaches implantology. . Still going strong & no issues, it hurts a bit but heals pretty quickly. Cost totalled around 11k and absolutely worth it!

Primrose53 the time involved is to allow bone to grow.
1st the old tooth comes out and then you need to wait for gums and bone to heal/close up. That's the beginning of the process. It's left for about 12 weeks.

Next the screw is drilled into the regrown bone and left in place to heal up (another 12 weeks).

The third appointment is to check the screw part is nice and stable and fit the top (tooth) part.

It is only 3 appointments but with gaps between.

I left longer than the 12 weeks as I know older people grow bone more slowly and did not want to go back if it failed... About one in 100 need the screw bit redoing as the bone hasn't grown sufficiently around the screw.

I wouldn't rule it out Primrose if you could afford it.

My implant dentist only does implants and although I know some people and some areas of the mouth are easier and so cheaper - given that he also made a new cap for another tooth I think it seems quite "cheap" compared to some here.

My teeth are not good. I wouldn't risk a bridge as I need to keep all my sound teeth whole... if my other teeth were strong and sound I might have considered it

All the best!

Intended to have it done after a tooth extraction but was then told my jaw bone wasn’t wide enough and I would need several grafts over a 7 month period. The price was £5 grand which I could have paid but bone grafts put me pff. Wish I’d known before having the tooth extracted.

Primrose , if you have it done , go to an experienced implant specialist. Your dentist probably has someone he/she can refer you to . I’d also suggest contacting a few . My guy teaches at one of the London dental schools .
Please don’t go abroad to Turkey or India , even though it’s much cheaper . I’m a hygienist and I’ve seen some appalling dental work from Turkey and India .