Experience on gum disease and dental implants?

Lamb2015

Hi there

I have been battling an early stage gum disease for about 3 years now, going to dentist regularly (NHS appointments) and doing what my dentist has told me to do. Now in July one of my front teeth has suffered major bone loss around the root and it has to come out. My dentist recommended me somebody specialised in implants etc and said this specialist is cheaper than other ones anywhere near where I live (London) and is honest and doesn't over charge. I went for a consultation and was given 4 options out of which an implant would be the long term solution. I considered a bridge for a moment but that might not work out too well because of the gum disease and the cleaning routine it requires. 

I have read through NHS criteria on getting an implant through them instead of private practise and I do not fit the criteria whatsoever. This is also what my dentist and the specialist told me. I have also read numerous private dental practices' websites and it does seem that there is no hope for me to have a cheaper option than private dental care. 

I was warned by a friend that dentists in the UK have a reputation of lying and trying to make money by pushing people to private treatments instead of NHS treatments. Does anyone have experience of losing teeth due to either gum disease or of a potential hit on teeth years earlier and having an implant/implants done? Have you had them done through NHS or was private really the only long term option? Are there any other options from financial point of view? I know we are all different and losing teeth and having bridges or implants can't be really compared between different people, there are so many factors included. I am just a bit puzzled about what this friend said, because I have done so much research and everything I found out seems to support what the dentists said to me. Maybe I am too naive to believe what they say, but they are doctors after all...Any experiences, ideas?

Reddleman79

You'll be lucky to get a crown on the NHS. As for dental implants - in your dreams!

twopenny

It sounds a little odd to be the cheapest in such a specialist field but unless you can talk to people who have used them before it's still a gamble.

How does a bridge hamper the cleaning routine? I'd have thought being able to easily remove it and clean would be more thorough and preferable while you have a problem..
Bridges aren't much fun but they do the job.
Also implants aren't guaranteed to work..
Once you have the disease under control you could have an implant. It's not something you need to do straight away.