Dental Implant?

**Pianolady** · 01-14-2012, 03:28 PM

I just had a tooth extracted and bone graft done to get ready for a dental implant. Does anyone have experience with this process? I've been told it's going to be a year-long process by my oral surgeon.

**frugalfranny** · 01-14-2012, 03:34 PM

I have experience..........but not sure what you want to know.

I didn't have any 'bone grafting'........but can understand the year long process.

At each step of whatever they do...........they will want to wait and see if it "takes"........different timeline for diff. steps. Age can play a factor..........as can the "health" of your bones.

Another factors play into it to............if you have been on ANYTHING related to Fosamax or similar drug.........could cause problems. PLEASE TELL YOUR DENTIST..........if you haven't already done so.

**McD** · 01-14-2012, 03:37 PM

I had one at 17. They implanted the screw into my jaw at e same time they cut my wisdom teeth out. (I think this is the same procedure you are referring to?). It was fairly easy in terms o recovery.

I like my tooth. It has held up almost 10 years.

**Pianolady** · 01-14-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I have experience..........but not sure what you want to know.

I didn't have any 'bone grafting'........but can understand the year long process.

At each step of whatever they do...........they will want to wait and see if it "takes"........different timeline for diff. steps. Age can play a factor..........as can the "health" of your bones.

Another factors play into it to............if you have been on ANYTHING related to Fosamax or similar drug.........could cause problems. PLEASE TELL YOUR DENTIST..........if you haven't already done so.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I just wanted to see how happy people were with the results. My insurance is actually going to cover it (which is a shocker), so it sounded like the best choice to replace my tooth if I end up being a good candidate. They added the bone graft material since I was having the tooth extracted anyway just to be sure I'd have plenty of support for the implant.

**hmcart** · 01-14-2012, 09:30 PM

I have a lot of experience. I have one and I am in the dental field. It is a great choice to replace a missing tooth. Cost wise you would be looking at about the same to do a 3 unit bridge and with an implant you dont bother the teeth on either side of it. It is a bit of a process but the end result will be totally worth it. Mine is one of my front teeth and no one can tell unless I tell them!

**frugalfranny** · 01-15-2012, 04:24 PM

I soooooooo totally agree with hmcart. Especially about the 'changes' to the teeth beside a bridge!!

GO FOR IT!! And especially if your insurance covers it......sounds like they are being cautious with the bone graft material and that is a good thing.

DO NOT GET A BRIDGE! They 'file down' the teeth on each side and I had nothing but trouble........and BIG EXPENSE over the years...........that is where the implants are now. I have the equivalent of cost of a NEW CAR in that 3 tooth area!!

GO FOR THE IMPLANT.............the only reason that you could be sorry is IF the lab isn't good on the re-build or setting the tooth in.............hope you know what I mean here.........if you have a 'tricky bite' and a 'sloppy lab'......well.....

Ask the dentist HOW MANY he has done............AND.........QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAB he works with for the tooth/teeth...........some dentists (if you're lucky) do their own in their office. (often better fitted, in my past experience)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Winkie** · 01-15-2012, 04:31 PM

Yep, been there done that, paid a ton, but happy with results.

Mine took a long time, because I was trying to use only my Flex Spending for health care. Since I could only put $4,000.00 a year in my flex account, I got the implants (2) and bone grafts one year, then the bridge the next year. My dentist was fine with that becausse it gave me extra time to heal & for the grafts to "take". My insurance paid $750.00 each of those two years, so you are very fortunate if they pay most, or all of it.