Tooth Implant

DocLem · 9 May 2008 at 4:02PM

Hi,

It seems a need a dental implant ... last week half of a tooth (upper, the one behind the canine) fell out and all that remains is some ugly filling. There's no pain as I had root canal in this tooth a few years back.

I went to the dentist (who confirmed the above) and am booked to have the filling bit (and root?) extracted next week. The dentist said my options were either a bridging crown (not recommended as it relies on the surrounding teeth) or a tooth implant (much better long-term chances).

After doing some internet searching I am convinced that a tooth implant is my best hope. However, I have been getting wildly different quotes for the cost (£1000-2500), which sadly my dental insurance refuses to cover (might think about changing my dental insurance for the future - any advice?).

Essentially, what I would like is some advice on whether to go for the most expensive place quoted, or whether there are cheaper alternatives (or anywhere that someone specifically recommends, I live in Surrey). I'm also wondering about going over to mainland Europe or South Africa (where I often travel for work) as prices there seem cheaper - but I'm concerned about long-term follow up.

Any advice from anyone who has had a tooth implant and/or is a specialist would be very gratefully received ...

Thanks in advance,

- Charlotte

BTW, I am only 30 but have terrible teeth (inherited) - having already had several root canals and multiple fillings (and I suspect this is the first of many future implants). I am a non-smoker, slim and very fit (competitive runner) so I'm not eating 20 packets of sweets a day (sorry for the justification but people always prejudge me for having bad teeth!)

alison999 · 9 May 2008 at 7:08PM

im not a dentist but what about a one-tooth denture?

Toothsmith · 9 May 2008 at 7:39PM

Competitive sportspeople can have really bad dental diets!!

There's a lot of carbo grazing and the sports drinks can be terrible! I have problems with it with my cycling. (I'm not competitive, but I do do a fair milage each week.)

First premolar region is not a bad place to have a bridge, but it does depend on the teeth around it.

I would say that initially you should have a chat with your dentist about why teeth decay, and how you can modify things to give yourself a better chance at keeping your own.

Timing of sugary intakes, and fluoride treatments and maybe remineralising things like GC's Tooth Mousse may well turn things round for you.

If you go for an implant though, then get it done locally for just the reasons you say. Follow up is very important.

DocLem · 9 May 2008 at 11:09PM

Toothsmith - thanks for the advice.

You're right about sportspeople and dental diets, and I'll speak to my dentist about eating advice. I only really use those sugary sports drinks for longish races (circa 1-2 times a month) but I do graze throughout the day rather than eat large meals (ironic that healthy eating advice contradicts dental eating advice!). I'll also ask my dentist about the "Tooth Mousse" that you recommend. Thanks for that.

I'll also speak to my dentist again about the bridge v implant option, but can you confirm whether £2000+ is a reasonable/normal price for a tooth implant?

Thanks again,

- Charlotte

Toothsmith · 9 May 2008 at 11:24PM

£2k is a decent ball-park figure, but there can be individual variations depending on bone levels.

A young person with the tooth freshly extracted should be quite straightforward though.

KaosLisa_2 · 10 May 2008 at 3:37PM

£2000 is roughly about right for a dental implant.

I'm 21 and had my two front teeth done a year ago due to them being knocked out as a child while playing hockey. It was the best thing I ever did had done wonders for my confidence, but was alot of pain so you have to be sure your going to be commited to having it done.

I was also a dental nurse for sometime and we charged around £1500-£2000 for implants, depending on the patient, so your figure is sounding about right.

Most important thing is to have trust in your dentist though as its a big thing to have done

Good luck if you decided to go ahead with it!!

ekkygirl · 10 May 2008 at 3:44PM

My friend went to Hungary to have a mouthfull of implants (ouch) it was about 1/3 of the price and she was in agony but looks great now. I thought it was a bit risky and would not have done it , she is glad she did. Look on the net and find out.

Toothsmith · 10 May 2008 at 3:47PM

ekkygirl wrote: »

My friend went to Hungary to have a mouthfull of implants (ouch) it was about 1/3 of the price and she was in agony but looks great now. I thought it was a bit risky and would not have done it , she is glad she did. Look on the net and find out.

And how is she looking after it all now?

Or does she think she's fixed for life?

pinkpong · 10 May 2008 at 8:59PM

I am thinking of going to have my implants done in Prague , can anybody recomend any dentist there? one implant should be about £500.
What`s the webb address in Hungary?

Parisien · 10 May 2008 at 10:20PM

Toothsmith wrote: »

Or does she think she's fixed for life?

Oh please TS......such a trite comment from a professional like yourself!

:eek:

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/destinations/europe/article1839806.ece

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article3329426.ece

OMG.....:eek:....:eek:....:eek:

Take your pick.......;)

http://mitaclub.com/dentistry/

http://www.kreativdent.co.uk/

http://www.dentistabroad.co.uk/

http://implantcenter.hu/web?lang=eng&pl=&pid=bemutatkozas

http://www.ouchmytooth.com/dentist/Poland,-Warsaw---Katarzyna-Loza-and-Krzysztof-Soltyk.aspx

http://www.microdent.pl/english/

http://www.treatmentabroad.net/cosmetic-dentistry-abroad/poland/iq-medica

http://www.godenta.co.uk/dentists-1.html

goballoon · 10 May 2008 at 11:54PM

I have had 4 implants done (2 front teeth and 2 molars) I had them done by a fantastic dentist locally. I would advise anyone considering having implants to only have them done locally. My dentist was very highly qualified in these procedures but we still hit problems with one of the implants. I was glad I was able to get to the surgery quickly to be sorted out. The results are fantastic (I am 60yrs old) I can chomp on apples again.

Tooth Implant

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