post tooth extraction options - implant, bridge, etc?

[Anonymous]

I had the back molar out as well, and the oral surgeon advised against an implant. It's not like anyone can see that far back, and I didn't want to do more procedures just to get something foreign in my mouth. If it was a front tooth, obviously I would have but didn't see the point for a back tooth. But definitely talk to the surgeon, it may depend on your mouth and your situation.

In my situation, I had an impacted wisdom tooth that dropped all the way down shortly after the extraction, so probably didn't have much room for an implant anyway, and it saved me from having to have that surgery. I did end up having the upper wisdom tooth out on the other side as it was also impacted. So two extractions in two years for me. I blame pregnancy - everything was dormant until all those hormones woke my mouth up again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the back molar out as well, and the oral surgeon advised against an implant. It's not like anyone can see that far back, and I didn't want to do more procedures just to get something foreign in my mouth. If it was a front tooth, obviously I would have but didn't see the point for a back tooth. But definitely talk to the surgeon, it may depend on your mouth and your situation.

In my situation, I had an impacted wisdom tooth that dropped all the way down shortly after the extraction, so probably didn't have much room for an implant anyway, and it saved me from having to have that surgery. I did end up having the upper wisdom tooth out on the other side as it was also impacted. So two extractions in two years for me. I blame pregnancy - everything was dormant until all those hormones woke my mouth up again!

This is actually a really helpful post, thank you. The more I read (not just on this message board) the more I"m now starting to lean against having an implant. for one thing, I could probably stand to have my wisdom teeth out eventually (though they aren't bothering me at this point) and will have some other dental work queued up after this extraction, so it's probably smartest not to drop several grand on an implant.

Don't love the idea of staying down a tooth, but maybe like PP my teeth would move into the space? Seems like it's not a decision I need to make straight away. I understand there are new ways to permanently bridge teeth that do not involve shaving the adjoining teeth. Going to look into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had the back molar out as well, and the oral surgeon advised against an implant. It's not like anyone can see that far back, and I didn't want to do more procedures just to get something foreign in my mouth. If it was a front tooth, obviously I would have but didn't see the point for a back tooth. But definitely talk to the surgeon, it may depend on your mouth and your situation.

In my situation, I had an impacted wisdom tooth that dropped all the way down shortly after the extraction, so probably didn't have much room for an implant anyway, and it saved me from having to have that surgery. I did end up having the upper wisdom tooth out on the other side as it was also impacted. So two extractions in two years for me. I blame pregnancy - everything was dormant until all those hormones woke my mouth up again!

This is actually a really helpful post, thank you. The more I read (not just on this message board) the more I"m now starting to lean against having an implant. for one thing, I could probably stand to have my wisdom teeth out eventually (though they aren't bothering me at this point) and will have some other dental work queued up after this extraction, so it's probably smartest not to drop several grand on an implant.

Don't love the idea of staying down a tooth, but maybe like PP my teeth would move into the space? Seems like it's not a decision I need to make straight away. I understand there are new ways to permanently bridge teeth that do not involve shaving the adjoining teeth. Going to look into that.

You still have plenty of teeth! And I would definitely recommend getting the wisdom teeth out when you can. Mine didn't come in until later in life, they simply weren't there as a teen, so when my dentist told me I had two impacted upper ones in my early 30s (my lower ones never came in) and recommended getting them out as "preventive" I dismissed him. Who does preventive "surgery?" I started having some pain though, so I finally scheduled the extraction. Unfortunately, about a week before I was to get it done, the pain got so unbearable I ended up in the ER for my very first prescription pain pill at midnight one night. Awful! Thankfully the next morning the oral surgeon was able to fit me that day and I ended up having it out. It actually wasn't that bad at all. I took the rest of the day off and I think I only needed one more pain pill once the general numbing wore off. After that I was fine with advil and by the next day, totally off pain meds. The procedure didn't take long either.

I am just so, so thankful for my dental insurance and to have access to good dental care. I've had so many issues once I hit my 30s, it's crazy. And I've always taken really good care of my teeth - regular check ups, devoted flosser, sonic care electric toothbrush, the whole deal.

[Anonymous]

What insurance covers any of this? I'm shopping around...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What insurance covers any of this? I'm shopping around...

You need dental insurance. Most medical insurance policies don't cover dental, you need a separate policy. MetLife is one option that a lot of providers seem to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What insurance covers any of this? I'm shopping around...

You need dental insurance. Most medical insurance policies don't cover dental, you need a separate policy. MetLife is one option that a lot of providers seem to take.

Oh, and I'll just add, if you work for a group employer dental is pretty cheap - we pay a few dollars a month I think. It covers non-cosmetic work (so routine cleanings, x-rays, fillings, root canals, extractions, etc.) at 80%. Total lifesaver for me! I'm the PP above whose had the impacted wisdom tooth out, the molar extraction, and I've just had a root canal recently. Ugh! The most expensive was the root canal. Out of pocket I had to pay something like $140 and insurance covered the 80%. But totally worth it.