Dental implants question

Bellestar_2

Hi

I wondered if anyone has any advice about how to find somewhere that does dental implants? Never mind how to make my choice between them - I can't even find one!

I've had to have a baby tooth removed (bless it, it did me well for years longer than it was designed for) and have no second tooth to replace it.

I've read up about the technique online and it seems likely that I'd be suitable for it. I just had the tooth removed last month so I don't think there'd be a problem with bone. I don't smoke, don't even average one unit of alcohol a week. The rest of my teeth are good, 2 fillings, 1 crown where I broke a tooth in an accident. And I'd be ready to do whatever special care an implant needs.

I just have no idea how to find somewhere to get it done!!! I live in East Anglia and I'd rather not travel too far. But I must have phoned all the cosmetic dentists in Norwich and Ipswich and none do implants.

lolly5648

Have you googled "dental implants in east anglia" - that should bring up a few. I'm surprised that your dentist can't recommend one. Have you tried ringing your local teaching hospital to see if they have a dentistry department?

domdent

go to the
http://www.adi.org.uk/
use the search option using your postcode

I am dissappointed your enquires at other practices did not give some options

Toothsmith

Why not ask your dentist?

Usually you would ask your dentist about it (Or if he's really doing his job right he should have spoken to you about options for replacement includidng offering to refer you to somewhere he trusts for implants.

It's not really the thing you should be left to your own devices to find.

It's similar to a doctor saying "Oh, you need your tonsils out - goodbye". You'd be stunned if he didn't offer to refer you to the local specialist/consultant to get the job done.

I'd go back and talk to your dentist.

Bellestar_2

Thanks so much for the replies and tips Lolly and Domdent; I am off to follow your advice now!

Toothsmith, thanks, I did speak to my dentist but he seems very anti implants and pro-NHS bridge and although he did eventually agree to refer me, he said it would not be for six months. I'm sure he would refer me in the end, it's more that I don't want to wait that long... and of course I don't want to pay through the nose either!! :money:

mandy_44

Bellestar wrote: »

Thanks so much for the replies and tips Lolly and Domdent; I am off to follow your advice now!

Toothsmith, thanks, I did speak to my dentist but he seems very anti implants and pro-NHS bridge and although he did eventually agree to refer me, he said it would not be for six months. I'm sure he would refer me in the end, it's more that I don't want to wait that long... and of course I don't want to pay through the nose either!! :money:

Don't go abroad and have it done!! It is never worth it.:eek:

Toothsmith

Bellestar wrote: »

Thanks so much for the replies and tips Lolly and Domdent; I am off to follow your advice now!

Toothsmith, thanks, I did speak to my dentist but he seems very anti implants and pro-NHS bridge and although he did eventually agree to refer me, he said it would not be for six months. I'm sure he would refer me in the end, it's more that I don't want to wait that long... and of course I don't want to pay through the nose either!! :money:

I didn't see this reply.

I think you need a new dentist - this one seems very out-of-touch with current practice.

If you're thinking of an implant, then it should be done pretty soon after tooth extraction - not waiting 6 months. The bone will be disappearing, and the more of your own bone you have in the area, the better the result.

Places doing implants will be private, so you should get in pretty much straight away once referred.

Price-wise a single tooth implant will cost in the order of £2k.

lolly5648

My dentist, who is private, and also a consultant at the local hospital is also very anti implants. He kept trying to persuade me to have a plate at a cost of around £1000. I told him I was determined to have implants so he wrote me a letter to give to an implantologist but couldn't recommend one.

I had to have a bone augmentation around 10 months ago which was successful and last week I had 3 implants. I have to wait another 5 months or so to have the crowns fitted.

I live in North London where there is a lot of competition so implants aren't as expensive. Mine will be £1500 per tooth although I could have got them for around £1200 but my dentist was recommended and he used to work in a hospital doing implants and training other dentists.

Bellestar_2

mandy_44 wrote: »

Don't go abroad and have it done!! It is never worth it.:eek:

No bloomin' fear! The thought of going for complex dental treatment outside the UK :eek: indeed. There must be a market for it or they wouldn't advertise.... but I'm not it (really I'd like an implantologist recommended by 20 people I know and trust located no more than 3 minutes from my home ).

Toothsmith thanks again for your advice, I've seen a lot of your posts on this board and it really is kind of you to give dental advice in your free time as well as in your job. I bet you get people asking you to look at their teeth at parties and on the bus too :rotfl:? MSE top tip, save money on dental checkups by stalking a dentist and showing them your teeth when they can't escape.

Anyway, the good news is that my referral letter is in production and I should be able to collect it by the end of the week, he's given up on his bridge fantasy. And thanks to the tips from you excellent MSErs I've made my choice of where to have it done.

fitzroy

lolly5648 wrote: »

I had to have a bone augmentation around 10 months ago which was successful and last week I had 3 implants. I have to wait another 5 months or so to have the crowns fitted.

I live in North London where there is a lot of competition so implants aren't as expensive. Mine will be £1500 per tooth although I could have got them for around £1200 but my dentist was recommended and he used to work in a hospital doing implants and training other dentists.

Does the £1500 per tooth also include the cost of the bone augmentation you had done? I've had a quote for over £12,000 for two implants and bone augmentation for one of the implants.

Toothsmith

fitzroy wrote: »

Does the £1500 per tooth also include the cost of the bone augmentation you had done? I've had a quote for over £12,000 for two implants and bone augmentation for one of the implants.

I would imagine that is bone grafting and other complex stuff like sinus lifts as well?

Just bone augmentation with something like Endo Oss (A bovine derived bone matrix) usually just adds £2-400 per implant.