Recent accident caused extensive dental damage and now faced with 2 options, full upper dentures or Implants. Looking for any feedback on anyone that has had either recently (past 2-3 years)? Dentures are obviously much less expensive, removable. Implants are permanent and will be very expensive. Hoping either is a 30-40 year investment. Appreciate any feedback.
So are you talking every single upper tooth needing to be replaced?
Implants
I don’t have personal experience but if you are looking at 30-40 years of usability, I would recommend implants. Dentures might be cheaper in the short run, but you will lose your upper jaw bones in the long run, and the subsequent cosmetic changes. I have relatives who had had full mouth dentures and they are suffering from the bone loss problems.
Is the accident covered by insurance? If not, why not? All your upper teeth removed due to trauma is not a normal dental/medical insurance issue, is it? Assuming you are in your 40s? Have you had an opinion by a dentist on the RX plan?
If you can possibly afford the implants, go for them. Dentures are the last choice. 30-40 years to go, means. Implants. Price is the issue
Implants if you can afford them. No brainer.
Speak to your doctor, have full 360 scans, and be sure that there isn’t a medical reason not to have implants. We had a family member have serious damage to her jaw bone because of a problem that should have been caught before she had the implants inserted. She ended up having to have them removed. IMO, it’s not something that should be decided lightly.
If you can afford the implants do it! They are amazing.
Be sure to go to a board certified oral surgeon. Do not let a regular dentist or cosmetic dentist do them. Any quality surgeon will do a 360 MRI of your face/jaw as part of planning treatment.
I have a molar implant and it’s wonderful. I wish everyone who loses a tooth could get one.
Implants! I have two—about to get a third. Some folks need to have bone grafts before the procedure, because they don’t have enough bone in the jaw to support an implant. I got lucky and didn’t need it. The whole process is time consuming—you don’t come out with pearly whites in one day. Other than the time involved and the cost, I would definitely go for an implant.
Agree re implants. My H is in process of 2 implants. His alternative was a bridge - rather than dentures - because his issue is only 2 teeth, but similar idea. It was a long process - and quite expensive - but the end result, we believe, will be a carefree long term solution. He did need both a sinus lift and bone graft in order to accommodate the implants - increasing the cost and timeframe - but he is now ready for the “tooth” attachment so he is at the finish line.
My daughter had to get three implants for her two front teeth and one adjacent. The day she got her rod implants, she went directly to a prosthodontist afterwards who fitted her with a semipermanent prosthetic to keep her looking nice until the rods were bonded. So she did have pearly whites almost immediately. Of course she did have several visits to both the prosthedontist and oral surgeon before and after the procedure and got her permanent crowns six months later. But it was great that she spent less than two hours without her front teeth. She came out that day with a beautiful smile.
Another vote for implants. I’ve had 3. They are pricey, but agree with above - dentures will cause bone loss and change your facial features. Implants will keep the bones intact. I had to have bone grafts for 1. All in all, relatively painless. The last was the worst because it was very far back in my mouth and hard to access (and I had an allergic reaction to the pain meds!).
They should be able to get you something temporary so you’re not toothless - it’s the better part of a year before you can get the finished implant, depending on your situation.
Implants. Hands down
Started the implant process, not fun, but looking at the longterm benefits. Can’t wait to eat solid foods again, lol
Appreciate everyones input.
I started in August and am now done with the temporaries. Next week I get my permanents. Implants are much better. I had a difficult case with a 5 hour surgery and a 4 hour initial fitting. I hope the permanents are easier. Should be since all is OK with the implants now
Going for bone graf in few weeks. Really have no clue what to expect? Painful? Healing time? ect…Can’t wait to eat good solid foods again.
Anyone have some advice?
My colleague went with implants. Some issues in the short term but he’s happy with them now.
I had one implant and even after years and many visits to the dentist to figure out what is going on, I still have pain and can not chew on that implanted tooth. I don’t know if the post is too close to a nerve or what the problem is. Needless to say I won’t be getting another one.
An excellent surgeon using the best equipment makes a big difference. I went to one of the top rated in the area. Unlike some recommendations he did mine without bone grafts and sinus lifts by using computer modeling to place each one in the best place. That was 6 top and 6 bottom. Everything healed quickly and well. I am using one of the top prosthodontists and he has been meticulous preparing the bridges. They look completely natural and there has been no pain.