Dental Implants - anybody had them?

Just started full upper set of implants. Sat here with bruising, stitches, swollen face and a soft food diet for the next goodness knows how many months but worth it after having full bottom set. No regrets. Fabulous dentist and team. Had lots of bone loss due to hereditary condition so had to have grafts.
If you can afford it go for it.

Silvertwigs

Primrose53 I’ve a mouthful of implants, I adore them, done 15 years ago and just about to upgrade a few of them. Smile Savers in Budapest just a little over half price of UK quote. Depends on your bone density and what is there but in my experience, money well spent 😁😁😬😬👍

I know someone who goes to Bulgaria for her implants and she loves them. She says the service is outstanding.

Primrose53 I’ve a mouthful of implants, I adore them, done 15 years ago and just about to upgrade a few of them. Smile Savers in Budapest just a little over half price of UK quote. Depends on your bone density and what is there but in my experience, money well spent 😁😁😬😬👍

Was yours a front tooth kitty?

I think I read that Maryland bridges aren't strong enough for anything but front teeth - and not if you grind.

Obviously a lot less invasive than a "regular" bridge though and definitely worth looking at.

My (private) dentist didn’t recommend an implant as my bones would not be strong enough, necessitating a bone graft. He suggested a Maryland bridge, a much cheaper option which I’ve had for five years with no problems. I don’t know if this would be a suitable option for you to consider, or if it’s available on the NHS, you need to discuss this with your dentist.

I lost a tooth several years ago and went to a specialist to see about an implant. The specialist didn't say anything to me but mentioned twice to his assistant that the nerve was very close to the surface. This really worried me and I'd read of cases where nerves had been damaged and left patient with various forms of facial paralysis so i opted to keep the gap and not have an implant. Never regretted this but must depend on where the gap is.

Primrose it needn’t be a long process. If you are clinically suitable, it can done all in one (long) day. That’s how mine was done. I had a pre-procedure appointment for examination, scans, measurements etc. Then on the actual day I had a 10am appt. The usual quick check up then he got to work removing the dodgy tooth. It was out before I realised!

Then he got to work installing the metal post. It’s quite a complicated procedure (to my amateur eyes, anyway) but eventually that bit was done. I went off for a rest in the waiting room while the machine they have produced the new tooth - I guess it’s like a 3D printer, really.

The tooth was then installed onto the post and there were checks to make sure it was oriented properly and was the correct size. Mine needed a little adjustment to match my bite as with a crown. That was the end of it, then, after being given instructions for oral hygiene, how to look after my mouth, pain relief and what foods are suitable while it’s healing. I think it was about five or six hours, all told, which included some hanging around time.

I did feel a bit knocked about for a day or two but regular painkillers helped and after 48 hrs I was back to normal. I had an issue later on when the cap come off but it was easily replaced and I think if it ever happened again, I could replace it myself.

I have had mine for about 12 years now and I love it. I would have more done but can't afford it. I have insurance which covers the cost of any treatment for any problems and the cost of this also includes as many check ups per year as I need to ensure that the implant is still well planted.

Had one 14 years ago for a front tooth. Cost about £2k then but worth every penny!
Took out a 2 year interest free credit card😂

You are obviously luckier than me!

I had two dental implants which cost a fortune. They were frequently getting infected, and after 10 years they fell out. If I had known this I would never have had them. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

A friend of mine was born with a cleft palate and, unsurprisingly, has suffered from dental problems most of her life. She has lost a few teeth, including a front tooth and was able to have free implants as a few conditions, one of which is cleft palate, are done free of charge on the NHS. It has been quite a long and arduous process but she has come to the end of it and is delighted with the result. Someone else l know, who is several years older than me, has had a full set of teeth on implants. They look so natural that you would never know her teeth were not the real thing. I have been fairly fortunate with my teeth but, last November, I had raging toothache for the first time in my life and was very relieved to have the tooth removed. I know l have good gums and very strong bones, which would support an implant but I don't have an unlimited bank balance so, as the tooth was a molar at the top next to the wisdom tooth, l am leaving the gap because I don't think it's visible.

My DH and I both have them. They were less painful than a filling in my view. They have been marvellous, just like a proper tooth. I wouldn't hesitate to have another.
I did try a little plastic insert before that and couldn't bear the feel of it in my mouth.

I’m probably not allowed to name my actual dentist on here but I’m undergoing the implant process at the moment and I’m very pleased with how it is going. I have to travel from Norwich to Borehamwood ( 2 trains and a tube) but even allowing for that, it’s cheaper than having it done in Norwich. The dentist believes that everyone should have access to good dental care at an affordable price as the NHS dental service is failing. So he is doing mine for £1600 per implant ( I’m having 5 back teeth replaced, not in the smile line but to help preserve the teeth I have.) I’ve had 4 screws placed in the jaw and will have the actual crowns placed in April, he will not hurry the healing process. The 5th tooth was only removed recently and there was a lot of infection so the screw for that one will be inserted in April after it has healed to his satisfaction. I am happy to answer DMs if anyone is interested. I think the list price for an implant is £2500 on their website so I’m not entirely sure how I managed to get it done for £1600 but I’m not complaining. I trust the dentist totally.

My husband lost a few of teeth whilst playing rugby many years ago and originally had a bridge, fixed to other teeth, all across the front of his upper jaw. Our dentist gave him implants about 20 years ago and they've lasted perfectly, far less trouble than the old bridge and they look better too.
I should add that he was a really excellent, experienced dentist and specialised in implants, I'd go to a specialist rather than get an ordinary dentist to do this work.

vegansrock

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.

Totally agree. I never felt like a boxer but so glad I had it done. It did cost £3k but in instalments.

I have 6 implants! Not painful just uncomfortable. Sore part was paying for them!!

I had to have bone grafting at the top. The dentist used either bovine, porcine or human (or a mixture) but I understand now there's a synthetic version. There's different types of implants too. American and German I think are the best but that was 9 years ago so could have changed.

The density of bone is crucial to a successful and long lasting implant. Gums will cope, heal and "grow" to cover the neck of the tooth. Research anyone in any practice that offers to carry out the procedure. Must have at least Diploma in Implant Dental Surgery in UK.

Mine is a teaching implant specialist too.
I would definitely second Tenko.

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 .

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.

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!

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!

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