We live in an Asian country with great dental care that is typically substantially less expensive than in the states. My husband has been in the implant process for a back molar for over a year. The total cost will be about $4000 which includes the tooth extraction. So not far off from what above posters have experienced for cost. He’ll finally get the crown next month. There were some delays in the process due to us being out of the country a couple times for several weeks, but total with the initial consult he has almost a year and a half in from start to finish. I think it is totally worth it. The outcomes for implants for most people seems excellent if you can afford it.
My periodontist claims to be an implant specialist too, and is recommending one. I am seeing
My dentist first and getting a second opinion from the oral surgeon who did my husbands. Has anyone used a periodontist?
I live in a very expensive area of NJ. I’ve had 2 implants, about to start my 3rd. I’ve used the same NYU trained, board certified oral surgeon - $3500 total, with the crown by my dentist. I do know people who’ve paid closer to $7k, but I don’t think that’s necessary. It is a long process, letting the bone heal around the titanium, but both of mine were surprisingly painless (except for the cost!). My dental says it covers 50%, but i haven’t gotten the pre-treatment estimate yet. I was trying to hold off until January because I’ve already used $900 of my $1500 annual max, but I’ve been in constant pain this week so I think i have to bite the bullet!
Some offices also use the CareCredit credit card - my surgeon uses them and they give 12 months 0% interest so it makes the cost a bit more manageable.
@jym626
In general both Oral Surgeons and Periodontist’s are trained in placing implants. You already have a relationship with your Periodontist so I would recommend you have he/she place your implant then follow up with your dentist to fabricate the abutment and crown.
@jym626
In general both Oral Surgeons and Periodontist’s are trained in placing implants. You already have a relationship with your Periodontist so I would recommend you have he/she place your implant then follow up with your dentist to fabricate the abutment and crown.
@jym626
In general both Oral Surgeons and Periodontist’s are trained in placing implants. You already have a relationship with your Periodontist so I would recommend you have he/she place your implant then follow up with your dentist to fabricate the abutment and crown.
Thanks. I plan to get a second opinion from the oral surgeon my husband used.
The dentist who placed my implants is a periodontist. He’s had 25 years of experience with implants. I went to my regular dentist for the crown.
Funny periodontist story–my H is just starting the implant process with the periodontist I used. Yesterday, H had his tooth pulled. This periodontist always calls patients who’ve had surgery on the evening after the surgery. I don’t mention that to H; so last night he got a call from the periodontist. (H answered using the speaker phone so I heard the conversation.)
Periodontist: Hi–this is Jeff. Calling to see how you’re feeling. H: I’m fine. Who the heck are you?" Periodontist: "Jeff–Dr. X–the dentist. Just wanted to see how you’re doing. H: Oh, sorry. Didn’t recognize the name. I’m great. Periodontist: Great. Good to know.
I was taken aback by this comment, as both the oral surgeon and periodontist who placed my two implants told me the implant part would last ‘forever’ (I’m in my 50’s). I searched “How long do implants last” and read several paragraphs before I realized I was reading about breast implants, lol- they don’t last forever!
The dental implants can last a lifetime, but it’s possible the crown part will need to be replaced within 15 years depending on wear and the typical things that can happen to crowns.
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/tooth-loss/adults indicates that tooth loss was common, since adults age 50-64 in 1999-2004 averaged only 22 teeth (versus 32 permanent teeth, or 28 if one had non-functional wisdom teeth removed).
Dentistry may have improved since then, but that seems like a very high rate of tooth loss.
A lot of people in our generation also had another 4 teeth (usually bicuspids) removed since we had small jaws, as opposed to our kids who got the palate spreaders at age 7-8-9. That means 24 max is the ‘proper’ number for many, still that shows two teeth lost problematically.
With respect to jaws being too small to hold 32 or even 28 teeth, less chewy diets as children may be related to lesser jaw growth:
https://blogs.plos.org/blog/2017/10/31/thank-evolution-for-your-messed-up-teeth/
I have three implants - top front teeth. I had lots of problems during the process - it ended up taking almost 2 years and a good part was very miserable and I really regretted starting the process. it started off as 2 implants then something happened to another tooth and he extracted that to do another implant and while doing so broke the canine next to it (had the dentist crown that one - the infuriating thing the surgeon didn’t even tell me and I was too out of it to realise till I got home). I lost track of how much money the oral surgeon ended up costing me (the actual crowns from the dentist were reasonable). the dentist was not sure if I was a good candidate as I had so much bone loss but had the surgeon make that call. To be honest, my feeling is that, as the dentist suspected, I was NOT a good candidate but the surgeon saw $$$ signs.
After it was all done I loved having useable front teeth but had a lot of sinus issues since. I went to an ENT and Turns out one of the implant rods is sticking into my nose. The (different) oral surgeon i went to about it said it will probably cause severe issues at some point and then the only solution would be to have them removed. Another oral surgeon who I went to to have a back tooth extracted said maybe he could somehow cut off the part that protrudes into my nose. Both possibilities sound like they would be very unpleasant. I’m 65 - hoping the implants will outlast me, sigh.
I’m my case I would NOT do it again but I think I’m an outlier and also unlucky in the surgeon (though it is a well regarded practice - just not by me!). I wish I had just got dentures even though I hated the temporary ones I had during the process. The though of how unpleasant (& expensive) having it all removed would be is not a happy one.
Hugs to you @swimcatsmom!
“Dentistry may have improved since then, but that seems like a very high rate of tooth loss.”
I think our family has genetically bad teeth despite regular brushing/flossing and dental visits. My parents have had issues and so have I. Same on my husband’s side. All of us also grew up with water without fluoride. Dental work from childhood has resulted in multiple crowns and the occasional implants many decades later.
My kids have also grown up without fluoridated water but did have their teeth treated by the dentist as kids. They had some issues but not as much as their parents and grandparents.
I do think it is like other health issues - many problems can be avoided with preventative care but sometimes you’re just dealt a poor hand genetically.
Hope it’s still ok to ask on this thread. In the implant process. The cracked tooth (an upper front) was pulled and had bone graft about 2 months ago. The post is scheduled for mid August.
I have a flipper which reminds me very much of retainer. It’s ok wearing for about 1/2 a day. If I’m eating at home it so much easier to eat without the flipper. After 1/2 a day or after I eat with it doesn’t seem to stay in place as well. I discovered dental paste on retainer part helps tremendously but is not always convenient to apply when out of the house.
Any suggestions?
Flipper was adjusted immediately after extraction because it immediately fell out when surgeon put in. My regular dentist was out sick so thankfully the surgeon staff was able to adjust. The next week the dentist checked and it was ok.
TY.
Can you clarify? Whats a flipper?
a flipper is a temporary tooth on a retainer. It’s removable and I’ve seen it used for cosmetic purposes while waiting for work or while healing.
I wound up just living with the empty spot while I waited for the bone graft to do its thing and for the implant. Yes, I looked like a jack-o-lantern. No, it really didn’t bother me as a temporary state. I found the temporary options a bigger nuisance than I wanted to deal with.