Dental Implant, questions, concerns?

I realize alot of this needs to be gone over with the surgeon performing the implant, if I decide to go this route.





Back history. Broke one front tooth, fractured the other when I was 11. Had crowns put in. Fast forward 10 years, the tooth that had broken initially re-broke underneath the crown, my dentist says he thinks it failed due to microfractures from the impact of the original break. So we go over the options. He tells me that he couldn't gaurentee how long a post/crown would last due to my particular case (deep bite, bruxisim, condition of the remaining tooth). He grinds down the tooth to the gum line and removes some of the gutta percha to seat a temporary post/crown. The remaining tooth fractures.





I otherwise have a healthy jaw. A crown or a bridge isn't ideal in this situation, and I was too distraught after finding out that an implant is the best option.





What have been your experiences with implants? What kind of implant? What are the risks? What is the recovery time?

Dental Implant, questions, concerns?
Implants fuse to the bone and are THE best alternative in dentistry today, especially in cases like yours. Healing time, depending on the implant used (Oral Surgeon will decide the type) can be ready to load a crown from 3-6 mos. A temporary flipper (acrylic partial) can be used in the interim.


If you are considering braces, get in for a consult as soon as possible to discuss where the implant should be placed and how all this will line up with your current dentition situation.


Bruxism- why has your current dentist not recommend/or made you an appliance to wear to help alleviate this condition?????
Reply:eather get the implant or i'ther put up or shut up
Reply:A friend of mine has an implant from around 15 years ago, and it has not been a problem. I've gotten a root canal about ten years ago. No problem with it. The dentist who gave it to me said it should last five years. Another dentist says that they can last forever. I prefer porcelain veneers on the front instead of crowns. They look more normal. I believe that the implants will be great. You may or may not need to check his references.
Reply:I think implants are a waste of money. You body may later reject the implant or even pressure may cause you to lose. Yes I agree all dental surgeons will argue me on this, but i am against it. I have seen them only make money doing it now,and a few years down the line after losing it,getting you to do a bone graft to refill area of implant lost and then redo the implant again. More money.





I am dental assistant. hehe
Reply:At your age a implant would be your best bet. They're permanent and stable. The chance of failing is extremely small. A bridge ends up damaging the supporting teeth.
Reply:Please do not listen to people like laurabird - who I seriously doubt is a dental assistant. Her information is completely wrong.





When done by a qualified dentist, an implant is the best way to replace a missing tooth. Your dentist should discuss your case with both the oral surgeon (or in some cases, periodontist) and an orthodontist to make sure you will get the best final result.





An implant can last your entire lifetime, where a bridge or crown will usually be replaced once or twice. Over the period of several years, an implant is more cost-effective.





The process works like this: a surgeon removes what is left of the root structure of the tooth. A titanium post is inserted into the bone and a healing cap is placed over it. In 5 to 6 months, your bone tissue integrates the titanium device and it becomes a substitute for the tooth root. During this time, you will have a temporary tooth (the flipper mentioned above).





After the healing process is complete, the cap will be removed and a crown will be placed on the titanium post. It will look natural, and will be as strong as your natural tooth.





Most people have this procedure with only local anesthetic and are fine afterwards.





Your case is complex because of your bruxism and desire to move teeth. Hopefully, your dentist will use his/her network of specialists to coordinate the perfect treatment for you.





BTW, implants are not "new" or experimental. They have been around for a long time and have been shown to be very reliable.
Reply:I have had three implants for close to two years.


The most important thing is to find a dentist that specializes in implant placement. This usually precludes general dentists but not always. Most dentists can take a weekend course in implants and hang a sign out on Monday advertising Implants.


Seek out a specialist (Periodontist) who does surgery and implants.





Experience: Good -- you can't tell they're not your real teeth,


they function exactly the same way, feel the same way.


No special treatment is required, just normal brushing and flossing. Adjacent teeth are not affected like bridges.


Hopefully they will last a lifetime.





Downside: Expensive, time consuming, Mega-Expensive if there is not enough supporting bone and a bone graft is required. I needed that for one of them. Plus time to implant placement goes up by about 6 months.





Pain/Recovery: About as much as having a cavity filled, little


novocaine, little bit of gum removed, bone smoothed, implant screw placed, about 20 minutes.





The success rate will go up if the implant is unloaded (implant is placed but abutment and crown are not) for a longer period of time. My experience says leave the implant in unloaded for about 7 months then have the abutment and crown placed.


This usually works out well with dental insurance since you can get the implant in the middle of the year then have the crown done the following January and insurance will cover some/most of it.





I kinda doubt that person masquerading as a dental professional was one. Every thing I ever read said when there's a option between implants and something else implants were the "hands down" winner.