Dental Implant

One of my best friends is a dentist outside Austin. He's had great success with dental implants, but I'm not entirely sure about the post-implant pain or racing soon after and such.

Oh, I was so scared of my dental implant, but I have to say that the whole experience has been a dream, and so much easier than I expected.

Last november I had my extract. That was a pain, the root was 'glued' to the jawbone and it took a long time to pry it loose. I also got some bone graft material placed in there, and stitched up to heal for 3-4 months. I also got a 'flapper' which is a fake tooth on a sort of retainer type thing so it looked like the tooth was still there.

In March, I got my implant installed. It was such an easy procedure. It was much easier than a filling and WAYYYYY easier than the extraction. He quickly drilled a hole and placed the implant, put in a healing cap (some do this, some omit this) and stitched me up. I drank smoothies for a day and was on my way. No pain or other issues from this procedure. I was skittish to swim in open water until the wound healed, however, but that's just me and my lake bacteria phobia.

In June, I got clearance to get the 'tooth' put on. They wait for the implant to get bone grown around it (osseointegration). I went to my regular dentist and she made impressions with the healing cap off and the implant screw in. Then she matched up my teeth and sent the screw off to get the new tooth made on it. Basically it is a crown that sits on top of a little post that screws into the implant.

Tomorrow I get my new tooth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

It's been a really painless thing overall, and a pleasant procedure. I'm really looking forward to the outcome, and it beats the heck out of taking down teeth on either side of the extraction to make a bridge or something.

The hardest part was paying for it. Insurance covered half. It was about $1500-$2000 for the implant stuff, and another $1500 for the crown that I'll get tomorrow.

Hope this helps, PM me for any additional info!

AB

Just go to an experienced implant specialist and it should be fine.  I had an implant put in to replace a root canal gone bad in a molar about a year ago.  Having the titanium screw hammered into my jaw wasn't so fun, but not that big of a deal.  Let's put it this way, the implant procedure was much less uncomfortable than the root canal on that tooth a decade earlier.  You might have a little headache afterwards, but that's about it.  Working out the next day should be no problem.

Hey - I just wanted to update that I got my new tooth yesterday and it looks amazing! I've had to point out to people which one it is, and honestly had to think about it myself. What a great thing to have available to us = until they figure out how we can grow more teeth!

How did your appt. go the other day?


AB

Thanks.  Yesterday they did the scans to make sure that the bone was OK to do the post and all looks good.  I go on August 5th for the post!

Timely thread for me as well...just had a molar extracted eight days ago and am in the 3-4 month healing period myself...decision upcoming in the fall re implant or bridge (may come down to cost). Helpful info to consider.

Implants are a permanent solution and are as strong as a natural tooth. You can’t get much better than that.

I have two. No real pain. Only things you might want to know are: the whole procedure takes 4-5 months, and they have to see how the implant is taking after a few months and if there is a problem they may have to use some cadavour bone. Good luck.

tell that to my poor mother who broke her implant tooth last week.  Almost all of her teeth are implants - she's on speed dial with dentist.  Went last Monday to get temp put back in and have yet to hear from dentist on how this is going to be fixed...  noone is talking about the warranty, as it isn't even 2 years old.  But overall, she likes her implants.