Is a dental implant for a molar worth it?

ripplyuk

I had my upper first molar extracted a month ago and I miss it, though not the pain it caused! I had planned to just leave the gap but I'm beginning to wonder about getting an implant because I'm tired of chewing on one side.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, or even possible, as I've heard implants in this spot often fail as they are put under a lot of pressure. Also, the thought of sinus lifts, bone grafts etc, fills me with dread. Not to the mention the cost, which I'm sure would leave me in serious debt. The gap can't be seen when I smile and most people I know have just said to leave it but I'd just like to weigh up my options.

Has anyone had an implant to replace a molar? Is it worth it or will I adjust eventually to chewing without it?

Toothsmith

Everybody is different!

What is vital for you might be completely unnecessary for somebody else.

Implants are really very reliable when done properly and put in suitable sites. If you have been told by a dentist who does implants that an implant in the position you need one is likely to fail, then that is one thing. If you've been told by some bloke at the pub that implants for back teeth often fail, that is quite another, and quite wrong!

Grafts and sinus lifts are more often needed if the tooth has been missing for quite a few years, but again, if you have been told you'll need one by a dentist who has seen you, then that advice will be more valid than mine.

The rest of it is just how you feel about the space. If you want an implant, the sooner you get wheels in motion the better - but on the other hand, you will become more used to the space than you are at the moment.

ripplyuk

Thanks Toothsmith. I was thinking of seeing a specialist for a consultation about it, just to see what's involved and whether I'm suitable for it. Problem is, when I look up dental implants, I'm inundated with results and they all sound great. Some offer a free initial consultation. Have you any tips for choosing the right person? I'm a bit worried that with the amount of money involved, they'll encourage me to do it even if it's not a good idea. I really want to find someone who'll be totally honest with me.

Toothsmith

Ask your own dentist to recommend someone and refer you there.

If someone does a 'free' initial consultation, then they will be more inclined to want you to go on and have treatment - because the practice still has running costs that need to be met whilst you are having the 'free' bit, and the only way these costs will be met is by people actually paying for something!!!

Plus - to get a proper opinion on suitability, there are a few x-rays or scans that will be needed, and these are not cheap.

So the 'free' consultation might just get the result 'Yes - you may well be suitable, but I will need this and that scan, and that will cost you £x before I can be sure.' You will then just end up paying for a 'proper' consultation anyway!!

Best to go to someone who just charges a proper fee for a proper consultation, and then you know the opinion is more likely to be unbiased, as he doesn't have to make up the time he's given you for 'free'.

But as I said - ask your regular dentist for recommendations rather than taking pot-luck.

Toothsmith

ripplyuk wrote: »

I'm a bit worried that with the amount of money involved, they'll encourage me to do it even if it's not a good idea. I really want to find someone who'll be totally honest with me.

If you choose somebody in this country, then it's not really in their interests to give you bad advice. If things fall to bits, especially if it happens quickly, then you have comeback.

Of course, if they warn you that smoking will cause early failure, and you carry on smoking (if you do) or if they warn you that poor oral hygiene will cause failure and you neglect to keep them clean, then that is a different matter. But it's pretty likely that a surgeon may well try and put you off treatment if he/she feels this is too much of a problem.

The only time someone is likely to bash on with treatment regardless of suitability in when medical tourism is being undertaken.

In this situation, the operator has no time to wait for conditions to improve with the patient. Also, they are safe in the knowledge that in operating in a different legal system, a patient getting any redress for bad work is so hard and so costly that most will not even attempt it, and those that do will most likely fail.