Anyone have a dental implant or bridge?

[rubysmama]

I have an upper molar that became abscessed and has had a root canal. Now the tooth is a bit loose, plus there is still some infection and the dentist thinks there may be a crack in my tooth and that it will need to be extracted. He's referring me to a periodontist before pulling the tooth.  Meanwhile, I'm researching my options for if I loose the tooth.

I know I don't want a partial plate. So it is between an implant or bridge.  Anyone with experience in either?  

 

[sivyaleah]

I'm about to start on an implant for a front, upper tooth.  It's been loose for at least a year and my regular dentist keeps bonding on the back side to the neighboring tooth to support it - but we knew eventually it had to come out.  I'm scheduled for late June surgery and I know the entire implant process takes about 9 months total until it's finished due to how many steps are involved.  Beware any dentist who says they can do it same day.  I have one of the best rated periodontists in NJ doing mine, she's specialized in it and have been using her for at least a decade or more.  I trust her completely.

I have to get what is known as a "flipper tooth" for the first 2 months to fill the gap.  If it weren't a front top tooth I might not have gotten this but it's pretty important.  It's built like a retainer appliance kind of - has one tooth to fill the gap mounted on a slim, plate which gets inserted and held in pretty easily although she said I might need just a drop of denture paste to hold it tighter.  Not looking forward to this but, it's my own fault this even happened.

Entire cost is going to be upwards to $6K which is very daunting to many.  Insurance considers it cosmetic so they won't pay much or any of it (I think they are paying only about $100 towards the pulling of the tooth - big deal lol).  My brother, who was lacking funds had to get one and went to a local dental school which isn't a bad option.  He paid around $2500 instead but it also wasn't a front tooth which can be a bit tricky since it's near the sinus cavity.

Hope this helped somewhat.  I'll know more as time goes by.

 

[rubysmama]

@sivyaleah  : Thanks for your reply.  

I'm trying to gather as much information as I can before the time comes that I have to make a decision. If the tooth can't be saved, I'm leaning towards an implant, even though I know it's very expensive. 

My dentist did mention that it was a lengthy procedure and would take months to complete, so definitely not a one-day thing. He also mentioned an oral surgeon. 

I've done a lot of Googling, and see that dentists, oral surgeons and periodontists can all do implants.  

Other than the fact that you trust your periodontist, any other reason you decided to have a periodontist do the implant, rather than a dentist or oral surgeon?

 

[AbbysMom]

I'm not at that point yet, but at some point I will be. I do have a tooth that is going to be an issue down the road. My dentist is recommending the partial. I have done ZERO research on this so far. I did ask her why not an implant and she said because of where my sinus is I would have to have something done called a sinus lift and she doesn't recommend that.

 

[sivyaleah]

@rubysmama

My periodontist is specialized in implants. I've been under her care for gum disease for many years. So, not only does she know my history well, but is a very good dentist that I trust completely to do things right. And has a wonderful bed side manner. It was important to me to feel at ease with not only the procedure but her knowledge and genuine concern.

My regular dentist made the flipper and will take care of getting the final tooth made to implant. Luckily, she's equally as good.

I happen to have a good oral surgeon but overall preferred using the periodontist as I see her regularly, there's more history there.


@abbysmom

Yes, sometimes if the implant is going to be placed in an area where a sinus cavity meets, it can be tricky. I'd highly suggest doing research and finding the best doctor you can. If I remember correctly, it's the upper teeth more to the back that create this issue.

By the way, this is the most worried I've been about a dental procedure yet. When younger, I really didn't understand how to take care of my gums at all. So I'm paying the price now. I've had many gum surgeries and even a few bone grafts but things have been stable for a while. This front tooth was already too compromised and once it became wiggly, I knew that was the end of it. I can't believe we managed to baby it for a year or so - had it bonded on the back to neighboring tooth more times than I can remember now. The bond tends to break off if one isn't careful about eating and with it being a front tooth it's really hard to not find yourself using it!

 

[rubysmama]

@AbbysMom  : I've pretty much ruled out the partial because I don't think I could stand having something against the roof of my mouth. That's why I'm considering the implant, or bridge.  Not sure if the sinus issue would affect me or not, but it is a top molar, so it might be an issue.  Hopefully your tooth will co-operate and you won't have to deal with replacing it for a while. 

@sivyaleah  :  You're lucky that you have specialists you trust and are comfortable doing the procedure.  I don't have any history with any of them, except my dentist and I've only been seeing him for a few years.  I'll definitely have a million questions to ask before I make any decisions.  I'm still hoping maybe my problem is gum-related and the tooth can be saved.  My appointment with the periodontist is in 2 weeks, so I should know more then.   Good luck with your procedure.

 

[Margret]

I have had a bridge, and am currently in the middle of getting implants in my lower jaw so that the dentures will stay in place.

The major problem I had with the bridge was this thing of threading floss underneath the bridge every day.  I found it both more effective and more comfortable to get a WaterPik.  The second biggest problem was when the bridge came out, taking a tooth with it.  This was during my lost decade, so I don't remember too much about it, but poor dental hygiene on my part was probably at fault.

My brother has implants, and has had major problems with infections.  I spoke with him before I made the decision to get implants myself.  He tells me that there is one way to prevent infection -- rinsing daily with an antimicrobial mouthwash.  There are two of these available -- the one that dentists normally prescribe, which, according to my brother, has the foulest taste in existence, and one that is almost never prescribed, for unknown reasons; it's no more expensive than the other, nor is it worse from a medical standpoint.  The second doesn't exactly taste good, but the taste is at least tolerable.

The name of the second one is Paroex.  According to the label, it's made by Sunstar America.  NDC 52376-021-02.  Above the name "Paroex" is a logo that says G•U•M.  The description on the label is "Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%.  Alcohol Free."  My brother gave all of this information to me in great detail, spelling each word to be sure that I could request the proper thing.

Then came the surgery.  I had spoken with the dentist about this beforehand, requesting the prescription in advance because I knew there would be a delay getting it in.  The dentist refused, for two reasons:

1. They didn't want me using it before the surgery (which I had no intention of doing), and
2. It was properly the job of the periodontist to prescribe it, and he only came in every couple of weeks for a single day; the next day he would be in was the day of my surgery.  Immediately after surgery this stuff needs to be used twice a day until the wounds heal.  Because I didn't have it when I needed it I got an infected gum, and it apparently went into the jaw (based on what it felt like), and I required antibiotics.  Because of this, I have since had an infection elsewhere that was resistant to the antibiotic they used.

There is an additional problem.  Dentists don't like to hand out prescriptions for this stuff for long term use; only for the period immediately following surgery.  I had to practically threaten my dentist just to get a single refill so that I will have it available immediately for the second surgery.  They say that long term use can result in your tongue turning back, which they seem to see as a major undesirable side effect, as opposed to the primary effect of not using it long term, which is repeated infections, repeated rounds of antibiotics, and the development of yet more strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria.  My brother informs me that rinsing with it once per day has not turned his tongue black, and he knows several other people who use it the way he does, and none of them have black tongues either.  Once I have the full implants I'll be switching to having my regular doctor prescribe the Paroex for me; she has extremely sane attitudes about infection.

I can't say what your choice should be, a bridge or an implant.  All I can do is give you my experience, and the information about preventing infection that you will need should you decide to go with an implant.

Oh, yes.  And we bought dental insurance before the round of surgeries began.  It was still too expensive, but it would have been impossible without the insurance, and it needs to specifically be dental insurance, not just regular health insurance.

Margret

 

[rubysmama]

@Margret  :  

Thanks for sharing your experience and your brother's. It's beginning to seem as though implants are more prone to having issues than not.  And that all the tooth replacement procedures have their cons. My dentist mentioned the necessity of flossing under the bridge and I didn't like the idea of that either.  The WaterPik sounds like a good idea, and I will keep that in mind if I end up with a bridge.

Good luck with the rest of your procedure.

 

[di and bob]

Implants are permanent, I've had two, upper and lower jaw on the right side, with absolutely no problems. I took an antibiotic started before the procedure and right after, and had no problems with infection. The only drawback is the time involved, first the healing period after the tooth is pulled, then they implant the post and that has to heal, then finally the crown or tooth, (which my insurance did pay for part of that part, and for the extraction.) Usually insurance does not pay, and it cost me 4000.00 for the first one, but now they are down to 2000.00 and that really is not much more then a root canal and a crown. The higher price was with surgery (put under) but I can say the second one was really no different, you are numbed. I would highly recommend the implant, I'm going to have one on each jaw on the other side if I ever need to, then I'll be ready for dentures if I ever go that route,(I hope not, but I'll be ready!) that's how they hold them in place now. Good luck!

 

[rubysmama]

@Di and Bob  :  Thanks for your comments. I know everyone is different, but it is great to see an implant story with no problems.  What was your timeline between extraction and crown placement?

 

[sivyaleah]

To add to the mouth rinse issue.

The one that @Margret  referred to is Peridex I believe.  I've used this on and off for years with no ill effects.  Yes, it tastes pretty terrible however, it's a quick rinse and then what I do is a mixture of a small amount each of  mouthwash, warm water and peroxide to swish around with afterwards.  It takes away the bad taste immediately.  Typically it's only used for short periods due to the possibility of it staining teeth (which can be polished off).  I do not recall about it turning your tongue another color but I suppose it is possible.  It's not meant to be a mouthwash - it's a healing agent and you only use a small amount of it.  I've had several bone grafts and had to use the rinse for a couple of weeks each time and still use it if I feel something brewing.  But again, it isn't part of my normal routine - only to be used when prescribed.

One has to be really on top of oral care when going through any dental surgery.  For those of us who weren't great at it when younger, it can be a learning curve to do it and stick to it.  

BTW one of the best things I discovered are Gum Brand Soft Picks.  While somewhat expensive, they have been a life saver for getting foot bits out of tight places.  They come in several sizes; I use the smallest because my teeth are close to each other.  Each one can be reused for about a week though, you just rinse it off - they have a antimicrobial (edited to correct) built into them.  You'll know when it's done because it will start bending at a angle which makes it pretty impossible to use.

 

[stewball]

I have an upper molar that became abscessed and has had a root canal. Now the tooth is a bit loose, plus there is still some infection and the dentist thinks there may be a crack in my tooth and that it will need to be extracted. He's referring me to a periodontist before pulling the tooth.  Meanwhile, I'm researching my options for if I loose the tooth.

I know I don't want a partial plate. So it is between an implant or bridge.  Anyone with experience in either?  

Where in your mouth is the tooth?

 

[di and bob]

It took about 4-5 months total between extraction and crown placement, I believe they have two months after extraction, and then two months after the post is set. You could call your dentist to find out for sure. The only problem I had was the food that got down into the empty space is annoying. I like the implants because they are permanent, unlike crowns that can decay under the crown. My dentist charges 1000 for a crown and 500 for a root canal, so I figured 2000 was not bad for no more worries. But I've stuck so much money into my mouth, if a back molar goes bad I'm getting it pulled. I would have to anyway for an implant, and I'll see then how I do without it. At 60 I'm not concerned about my teeth 'shifting' , i've talked to about a dozen people who have had a tooth removed and nothing changed for 10 years or more. I could have bought a new car with the money I have spent, and I brush and floss more then anyone I know! All the luck!

 

[rubysmama]

@sivyaleah  Thanks for the additional tips.  Particularly the Gum Brand Soft Picks.

@Stewball:  It's an upper molar - 2nd one from the back.

@Di and Bob  : Your timeline sounds pretty reasonable. Probably since you had no issues.  Hopefully all the brushing and flossing you are doing now will keep the rest of your teeth healthy.