Thanks for the input all. Believe me, I have not come to these conclusions all by myself. This has been an ongoing situation. I have consulted with both my dentist and the oral surgeon/implant, periodontist. At this time last year, they were considering extracting 4 teeth and doing implants. (easy for them to suggest!!!) I decided to put it on hold (maybe hoping I would just let one fall out at a time - lol) Now, this month, it is found that a 5th tooth is 'in line' and possibly a 6th! That's one heck of a lot of extractions at one time, to say nothing of the bone grafts (and healing). I might be flippant and think of it as my own personal weight-loss plan, but when I add up the $$$$ (especially at my 'Sr. Saver' age, I have to wonder if it's all worth it, when a partial for both top and bottom would amount to that of ONE implant. DH says I'm worth it; I tend to be more frugal and would not look forward to the discomfort and constant re-appointments waiting to finally be done. Not to mention that with all that being done....it just may not 'take'. During all of this, my only 'comfort' would be smoking and drinking (Pepsi) and then to completely change not only my mouth, but my lifestyle!!!! Partials - or complete dentures - might be the eventual answer.

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

I also had one. I was fortunate that I have really good bone in my jaw so I did not need a bone graft. My regular dentist referred my to a specialist for the post. I'd lost the tooth (a molar in the back) awhile ago and had had it extracted. I finally got tired of the hole back there and really did not want a bridge. The post was inserted and covered with a temporary crown. It took a few months for the bone to grow around the post and become solid. My regular dentist made the permanent crown and placed it on the post. The only hitch was that the first permanent crown began to wiggle. He had to remove it, which was not easy, and replace it with a new crown. So, I had to pay for two crowns, although he only charged me what it cost him to have the second crown made. I am very happy with my decision to do it. It cost about $4000. I had a Health Savings Account at that time and I put money (pre-tax) in there ahead of time, so I saved a little that way. I don't think my dental insurance covered much of anything. Having the bone graft drives up the cost as well as the healing time. The grafted bone must become solid before the post can be implanted. If your friend can possibly afford it, I say go for it. It is a much better option than anything else out there.

I type too fast & accidentally deleting my thesis. I'm in love with the dentist who is my son's age and has the same hair style. He's also from the T-town area so we had a lot in common, and he knows everything. He did graduate in the top of his class, which I saw online. Here's an example of what my old dentist would do, and I did call for an appointment on another tooth that went into deep pain but he was full during July 4th week. Pain went away, but I made the appointment with the dentist I saw yesterday. There are two of them and the office is something I've never seen before. Fully modern. Because my appt was at 1pm, I didn't have to wait. They close between noon and 1. My next appt will also be at Ipm. :) FOR $60 I had a full mouth x-ray which I've never had before and was kind of cool, then individual x-rays on each tooth, front and back, dentist had a big screen tv with all of my x'rays and pointed out each tooth one by one and gave me options. He left, then my teeth were cleaned, then the office manager came in and sat next to me while I was in the chair and gave me a print out of all of my x-rays, with things that needs to be done, and the cost of each procedure, how I want to pay and I'll be given a good discount if I pay for each procedure at a time. NO gingivitis or anything but the bridge is infected along with the tooth on the opposite side. I'm on an antibiotics and in early August the 4 get extracted at the same time to get ready for implants. I'll need a bone graft, and deep cleaning, and an upper tooth I recently broke from a pecan shell in my food will be given a root canal and crown. I told the manager I wanted conscious sedation and she asked why, and I said shots hurt so bad. She told me theirs don't. I do not remember my old dentist numbing the area before he gave me a shot and she said that's what keeps it from hurting. Sedation is $700. I'll take the shots. The hour long visit along with the x-rays and cleaning, was $60, whether I go back or not. When I got out of the chair I could hardly walk at first and the manager walked me to the front. I got in my car and months of built up stress left me. Went home and slept like a baby.