Dentist advice

WhiteButterfly_2

Hi everyone,looking for some dental advice please.

Ok, so after about 5years of not going to dentist due to being very anxious and embarrassed I finally plucked up the courage to go for a check up a few days ago.

My question is about what the dentist said would be the best treatment.
I had two of my back teeth(molars?) taken out about 5years ago and at the time that was that I wasn't advised about replacing the teeth or anything.The dentist I have just seen advised me I should get two implants which would cost approx £900 each and also have them crowned(I think that's what he said) which would also be £900 approx.Now I would love to have this done as I know my mouth isn't pretty and I do feel self conscience about the gap (although I'm assured no one can see it) but it is alot of money.
So I asked if it was nessacary and he said if I wanted to save the top teeth at the back them yes because they don't have anything to support them when chewing etc.

To me his explanation does make sense and I am no expert but I do doubt slightly what I have been advised as nothing like this was mentioned at all when the teeth were originally taken out.

Hopefully some one will be able to help

Toothsmith

Without actually seeing you, it's impossible to say if this is good advice or not. It would depend on so many things other than the fact there is a gap and teeth above it. The general state of health of the rest of your mouth would also come into it.

With 2 back teeth missing, any conventional bridging would be impossible, and if they're the only bottom teeth mssing, then the denture alternative for replacing the teeth would also be very difficult - more in terms of you getting used to it than difficult to make.

That means that if both teeth DO need replacing, then implants probably are the best way to do it.

It's also true to say that upper teeth over a gap are more likely to suffer that a tooth missing on the upper arch with teeth beow it.

So - what's been said sound true and sensible. It's just not possible to say whether it is 100% applicable to your mouth. Do you feel it is? Did you feel the dentist took time to explain it well to you? Did you feel confident that he had your best interests at heart?

WhiteButterfly_2

Hi Toothsmith thanks for replying

The rest of my mouth is in a terrible state of health,the dentist has advised me to have at least three appointments with the Hygenist before he would even consider taking out this sort of work.

It was my first time meeting this dentist so I have nothing to base his advise on so I do appericate your advice aswell.I do think he took his time to explain it to me however because I was so nervous alot didn't sink in,he did mention a bridge or a denture but because where it is and it's a large gap it would not be suitable.I do think it would help my confidence to have them replaced but at the end of the day it is alot of money for me and also I have read online a bit about implants and that they can fail and not take to your mouth,in your experience is this correct?

At the end of they day if it is medically important more than for cosmetic reasons I think I would go ahead and get it done.

brook2jack

If you have gum problems and gum disease you must get this sorted and stable. If you smoke stop now. Both of these cause implants to fail. You can loose an implant to gum disease easier than a tooth.

If you havent been for a long while and don't floss, use tepe brushes regularly , get the basics done and the basics of looking after your own teeth sorted first before even considering advanced work like implants.