Dental implants

[naffy0]

Would anyone share their experience with implants (good or bad). Also explain in detail the procedure, and the difference between mini implants and regular ones.

[pjb72]

not sure if you still check in here but it is now April 4, 2011, and my chin is still numb.  It improved some but it tingles and is mostly numb yet.  The feeling may come back but nobody knows. I saw a neurologist about but there is nothing any doc can do.  I guess my nerves are very sensitive and he hit the nerve.  I didn't even get my crowns yet.  My regular dentist doesn't want to do it until I get more feeling back.  I was having some pain as well.  That, they say, is a good sign. ??

Hope all went well for you if you had it done.  Everyone I've talked to have a much better experience.  Just my bad luck.

[Gellia]

I think the easiest way to tell if you need an implant is to look at your own xray.  If the tooth shows a great deal of bone loss, it will eventually fail and in that case an implant or tooth removal is sound dental treatment.

People should always educate themselves and ask questions before doing anything that costs a great deal of money.  It's like investing in a car, or for some, the cost of a home down payment.  You can't afford to walk in without information and education.

If not, you do have to trust the medical provider you have chosen to be ethical.  
Sounds like you got one that wasn't. I'm sorry.

Best to you,
Gellia

[gotrippedoff]

Many dentists seem too happy to remove good teeth rather than work with natural teeth for the sake of making money by offering patients implants.

Patients who have no clue, are trusting and are not aware of what needs to be done, fall victims to their dentist's money-making schemes.

Whatever happened to ethics.

[naffy0]

Did he have to get the novacaine in deeper than usual because it was for implants? That sounds horrible. Please let me know how you are doing now.

[naffy0]

Thank you for all the information. You really helped me out. How long do you think I should wait after my extraction?  Thanks again for all your help

[pjb72]

I had the posts for the dental implants put in my lower back jaw on Friday and what a nightmare.  My oral surgeon came close to the nerve while administering the novacaine and now my face around the lower left chin area is numb, tingly and my lower lip burns ALOT.   I was severely distressed over the weekend and finally was able to see him today.  He assures he didn't hit the nerve but did comes close to it and that coupled with the swelling is too much for the nerve.  The numbess, tingling and burning are all good signs but he can't say for sure that I will get all the feelings back.  He is 92 % sure and said it could be six weeks but no guarantee.  READ the waver and ask questions before you have this done.  The numbness could be permanent.  I am seriously sick over the whole thing and dread the day when he has to put the abutments on.  This means more novacaine and yet another chance for parathesis.  
Best of luck if you get this done.

pjb72

[Gellia]

Hi again,
Mine were easy.  I had the front four top teeth removed and the implants placed right then.  I was SO scared.  I really didn't have to be, though.  My dentist (he was an oral surgeon -  I suggest you go to one) gave me novocaine (yes, that hurts a bit) and I used nitrous oxide.  The extractions and implants were placed so quickly it was over before I knew it.  I felt NO pain at all.  

I had already had a removable metal partial with four teeth made prior to the extractions so I used that immediately.  Not once was I without teeth!  It fit fine, and I went home.

I even ate mashed potatoes with gravy that night.  Swelling was the worst on the third day but went down quickly after that.  I had been icing it using rice in a thin sock which worked perfectly.  That, plus a soft diet for awhile.

Then came the long healing process.  For me, that was 6 months.  Then I went back and had the healing caps placed.  All they did was open the gums (novocaine again) and screw in these little caps that help to form the shape of the gumline.  My partial fit over them fine with no adjustment needed.

I then went to my regular dentist for my impressions for my permanent crowns.
Within two weeks I had my crowns permanently placed and I couldn't be happier!

The whole procedure took a little over 9 months.  

My DH has had his implants for about 7 years now.  He has molar implants and loves them.  He has never watched what he eats with them and crunches hard pretzels all the time.  He is VERY happy.

Are you considering an implant supported bridge?  You would need two implants for that.  I don't believe a bridge can be supported by a natural tooth and an implant.  Implants will not move in the bone at all.  A natural tooth has some "give" in the bone.  The stress on where the bridge would connect to the implant would be too much.  It would be very prone to fracture there and also the micromillimeter movement could eventually doom the implant.  If the span is not too long an implant on both end supported bridge might work great.  
Or, if you can afford it,having individual implants is another option.  I'm sure your dentist can advise you on that.

Hope this helps.  If I can help further or answer any other questions, please let me know.
My best to you,
Gellia

[naffy0]

Well I had a root canal that root canal that might have failed and if I lose the tooth it is my anchor tooth to my fixed bridge so implants seem the best way to go. It just seems kind of dangerous having screws put in your gums. I guess anything new would seem kind of scary though. I would just like to know the procedure in detail so I can be prepared. Thank you for your help.

[Gellia]

I have four implants and my DH has seven.  We both love them.  The process to get to the end is long and, unfortunately expensive, but it has been so worth it.

Do you have any specific questions that we can help you with?

Gellia