My oldest son had a permanent tooth knocked out at age 7, he has an implant and has no problems. Because of his age he had to wait many years before the implant, he needed to finish growing. He also had to have several bone grafts. He's had the implant for about 6 years now.

One of our KTers had this done a few years ago...

Hang in here...I'm sure she'll see this and respond.

patti

I had two implants in 2005. I have periodontal disease, and had spent a fortune in dental care, and had a number of periodontal surgeries. I still lost the teeth. I was adamant that I didn't want to wear partials, so I decided on the implants. It cost me $5,200 for the two implants and crowns (not counting the cost of the temporary partial or the extractions).

It takes several months from start to finish because of the healing involved at each step. The implant surgery is uncomfortable, but not painful enough to require pain meds. The implants were done by a periodontist and the crowns were done by my dentist. My periodontist guarantees the implants for life, and he said the success rate is close to 100%.

If I ever lose another tooth, I will absolutely get an implant. To me, it was money well spent and I'm sooooo glad I went this route.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. Good luck!

I wonder if dental insurance help out with the cost of it.

We have good dental insurance but I'm sure my out of pocket cost would be more than I could do.

patti

No, neither dental or medical insurance covered a cent of the about 30K my upper and lower plates cost. I have gold implants that a bar rests on...the plates have clips that keep them attached.

I had a tough fit....Don't laugh, guys..but my mouth is physically small..and it took a lot of visits to get it right. I'm still not 100% pleased...maybe 70% - most of it lower plate . But, another 30K is just not in my budget. The periodontist keeps telling me that, for another 20-30K, I can get fixed implants for the lower - that I might like better.

So...all in all, I would say go for it. But, be tough on them to get them fitted right.

I had a fairly old and inexpensive dentist in a small town that quoted me about $3,000. for an implant, I think including one tooth, about 10 (or more) years ago.

ole joyful

I usually lurk, but wanted to share my implant experience. First of all, it was the best thing I have ever done for myself! I, too, needed full dentures due to periodontal disease, and struggled with the lower denture for years. I only had two posts implanted for the lower denture. They are implanted in the gum, and needed a 6-month healing period (during which time I could still use my lower denture). When well healed, the posts were gently "uncovered" and a tiny post was screwed on. The denture, meanwhile, had been made with tiny "o-rings" which fit over the posts, and hold the denture very securely in place without adhesive. I didn't find any of the process very painful. My insurance paid half of the cost, which was around $4,000 and included a complete new full set of dentures. I hope this answers some of your questions.
Veta

I have two friends who have implants. It's a long procedure, takes months. They both seem happy with the work, at least they never complain to me. It is expensive, thousands per tooth.

A friend of mine recently had some major mouth surgery. They had to first build up her bone matter as it had shrunk so much. They took some of her own bone from her jaw (or somewhere there) and built up her bones beneath the gums. She also had to have a sinus lift. Once the bone matter all fuses, she will get her implant devices. Those will then heal and settle into the bone for a while...maybe a few months. Once they are secure, the posts will go on the implants, and then her dentures will be made to 'snap' onto them. She is a very special situation in that she has a severe (she says) under bite.

I am considering Dental Implants and wondering if anyone has experience with them? I have searched for info on the web and know pretty much what is involved. I have seen one Oral Surgeon for evaluation..
Is this surgeon talking about something like I described above, maybe minus the bone grafting? Implants to hold a denture in? I would hope it would not be for individual implants for individual teeth.

(the other) Sue

Thanks for all the replies and glad none of them were negative and discouraging!

Expensive seems to be the key word!

Terllyn, your son getting his tooth knocked out reminded me of my nephew. He was about 12 I think when he and a playmate had a bb gun duel over a little girl. My nephew got one of front teeth knocked out. I don't remember how it was fixed. Doubt if they had implants back then. That would have been about 60 or so years ago.

Wanda, since you live in NVA, do you know about the Affordable Dentists in Winchester?
Their prices are listed as about half what my estimate here is. They have offices all over.

Patti, I don't have dental insurance, but it probably wouldn't cover it anyway.

Monica pa, Gold implants? You have actually "put your money where your mouth is" haven't you? That is incredible.

Oj, I'm guessing you didn't take him up on his offer?

Veta, your experience sounds pretty much like what I have read and heard about. BTW, welcome to the table. It is more interesting here than in Lurkdom

Sue, fortunately I have good bones, according to the one Oral Surgeon I have seen so far. Yes, the implants will be for the lower plate, not individual teeth.

The one OS, who was recommended by my Dentist, is a (DDS, MS) Diplomat of the Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Impressive, huh? His estimate for 4 implants is $3,312..00 plus I would go back to my dentist to have the clips put on.

I have called several Dentist's and talked to someone just for information. Some don't do implants; those who do run from $2800-$4500 depending on the number needed. They all use the Mini implants.

I think I'm convinced that I should do this, but it is hard to decide who to choose to do the work. I don't personally know anyone who has gotten implants.

I appreciate all your comments. They have been helpful and if you have any other thoughts, advise or suggestions, I would like to hear them.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Affordable Dentures

Sue, I am not familiar with Affordable Dentists. My periodontist is in Winchester, and I am extremely pleased with him, but I don't know how his prices compare with Affordable Dentists. My dentist also does implants, but he referred me to the periodontist because of my periodontal disease.

If you decide to go to Winchester, let me know and maybe we can get together (I live about 20 miles southeast of Winchester), and go there to shop. Good Luck!

His estimate for 4 implants is $3,312..00 plus I would go back to my dentist to have the clips put on.
That seems a very good quote, and I'd be beating a path to that door.

Last year I had a bone graft. Once it was fused and healed I got the implant, and then that healed and became secure. Well, (and this should have been noticed b4 all that expense), then it was discovered that the upper tooth that would mash against the new implanted tooth, has shifted and dropped down. I chose to just not have a tooth put on the implant for now. I don't want to have a 'short' tooth' made to go on it, and there is no way I'm going to ever have the upper one yanked out of my jaw, until the time comes that it has to (usually due to pain). Once the upper one comes out, it would also need a bone graft, and implant, tooth...aka approx $3000. I am just amazed by the cost, and am considering looking into future work being done at The Dental School. Every move made by a student is overseen by someone. My periodontist himself 'teaches' at a school.

Professionals just don't seem to get it...that an individual does not have unlimited funds to put into one's mouth yearly. Then they always let you know that you can finance the work done too, and have applications for that too. No thank you. I'm sure as heck not going to pay 'interest' on procedures that are already so costly.

I got my driveway paved (and it is long) for a lot less than 2 implants. I know that is like comparing apples to cars though.

(the other) Sue

Monica pa, Gold implants? You have actually "put your money where your mouth is" haven't you? That is incredible.

The implants(screws) are titanium, the bar that they are attached to is gold. The plates clip onto the bar.
This is the least expensive way to do an entire mouth implant.
I was quoted about $75K to do separate implants for the entire mouth...and that was 5 years ago.
Prices have gone up since then.

Go across the border to Mexico - licensed dentists do dental work over there for about a fourth of the cost here in the states!

I would never go to Mexico for implants....this is one procedure, that if messed up, can rarely be repaired.

I wouldn't go to Mexico for any such procedure, and definitely not this one.

One reason I am hesitant is that if I have it done and it doesn't go right, I'm out big bucks, and still have a problem.

I have learned there is a dentist in the next town, about 45 minutes away, who does nonsurgical Mini implants and there is no long healing time required. I talked to the girl in the office, but I may go up there and look around and meet the dentist one day soon.

It is a lot to think about.

Sue

I have a friend (Patt), who went there last Oct. and had some implants done - has had NO problems.

Having one or two implants is very different, much more difficult, than doing an entire mouth, or even complete upper or lower job.

Also, six months is not out of the woods, as to seeing if they have taken properly. It takes about a year.