post tooth extraction options - implant, bridge, etc?

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Next week I have to have a back molar extracted. I'm a fearful dental patient so, as you can imagine, I'm really looking forward to this procedure.

Anyway, my dentist was talking about the post extraction options and an implant sounded best to me at the time, so she gave me a referral for an implant consultation following the extraction. I'm still leaning toward the implant, but am hoping folks share their experiences. Also wondering how long after the extraction you had the implant done, and how extensive the work for the actual implant itself was. I plan to talk more with my dentist about this, but I was also curious about others' experience with post tooth extraction options. I'm less concerned with aesthetics in this instance because the tooth is invisible. Rather, I just don't want to deal with food getting stuck, a big hole in my mouth, etc.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Er, the tooth is not "invisible" so much as "out of view." But, you get the idea.

[Anonymous]

The implant takes a ton of money and years to be put back in. My DH had it done because it was a front tooth, and now it looks perfect, but it was a long and expensive haul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The implant takes a ton of money and years to be put back in. My DH had it done because it was a front tooth, and now it looks perfect, but it was a long and expensive haul.

What is a ton of money, (1000? 5000? Any of it covered by insurance?) and why did it take years? (A colleague got a front tooth implant, and while I'm not close enough to discuss it with him, I know it did not take years).

Can you clarify this?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it for a back tooth. Food won't get stuck in the "hole". It closes up nicely. And there are some risks to implant surgery.

[Anonymous]

I'm also in the market for a possible implant. I just had the tooth extracted (the procedure wasn't bad actually). I heard implant were around $4000 but I haven't had an official estimate yet.

[Anonymous]

Implants are wonderful for certain areas. You would not want one placed too far back. Wisdom teeth, in general are not replaced, your second molar I could see replacing. You want your molars to chew with. If the rest of your teeth are sound, and you get regular dental care, I would see no problem with getting an implant. If your only worry is food getting caught in the extraction area, rest assured that this area will heal fairly quickly and no "hole" will be left behind. After the ext. you will see a surgeon, who will place the implant. But there will not be a tooth there, you will have what is called a healing cap. This will remain in place for about 6 weeks, depending on the dentist.

[Anonymous]

^^PP here: Then, your general dentist will order a custom abutment and this will be placed in the implant and an x ray to confirm proper seating as well as an impression will be done. The custom abutment will be removed and placed in the impression and sent to the lab. The dentist will then replace the healing cap, and you will wait two more weeks for the implant supported crown. Then, your dentist will place the custom abutment and torque it into place. Finally, the crown is cemented over the abutment. This is the best way to go. Beware of surgeons who offer same day implants. They will not hold up. The cost at my office, including the surgeon fees (wich or separate) is about $3500-4500 per per tooth. Insurance usually covers about half of the cost. It is very important after you get an implant, that you continue regular dental care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^PP here: Then, your general dentist will order a custom abutment and this will be placed in the implant and an x ray to confirm proper seating as well as an impression will be done. The custom abutment will be removed and placed in the impression and sent to the lab. The dentist will then replace the healing cap, and you will wait two more weeks for the implant supported crown. Then, your dentist will place the custom abutment and torque it into place. Finally, the crown is cemented over the abutment. This is the best way to go. Beware of surgeons who offer [/b]same day implants[b]. They will not hold up. The cost at my office, including the surgeon fees (wich or separate) is about $3500-4500 per per tooth. Insurance usually covers about half of the cost. It is very important after you get an implant, that you continue regular dental care.

By this I mean implant, abutment, and crown all done on the same day. The bone needs time to grow around the implant an heal before anything else can be done. This is not the time to be frugal either.

[Anonymous]

PP, are you a dentist?

[Anonymous]

An implant cannot be place on a rear top molar, but can be done on a rear bottom molar. Too bad because I wanted one.

[Anonymous]

I am not a dentist, but I play one on tv.

You can replace the 1st upper molars with implants, You can also have a bridge attached to the 2nd bicuspid and the 1st molar implant that extends back to the 2nd molar. Its called a cantilever bridge.

[Anonymous]

I had an implant done on a back lower molar, and really wish I hadn't. It was a ton of money and time and in retrospect it's really unnecessary. I actually have been putting off getting the final check and crown done because I'm so sick of dealing with it. I wish I'd just said goodbye to that tooth and moved on with my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The implant takes a ton of money and years to be put back in. My DH had it done because it was a front tooth, and now it looks perfect, but it was a long and expensive haul.

What is a ton of money, (1000? 5000? Any of it covered by insurance?) and why did it take years? (A colleague got a front tooth implant, and while I'm not close enough to discuss it with him, I know it did not take years).

Can you clarify this?

All said and done, it was probably about $8k. Maybe a grand was covered, if that. It is hard to say exactly as there were so many different steps, each required several months of waiting, thus the delay. If I recall correctly (which I probably don't), there was the extraction, then recovery, then the drilling into the bone, then recovery, then the implant, then recovery, then the temporary tooth, and finally the real tooth. We probably stretched it out a total of 3 or 4 extra months over two different years to allocate FSA money, but I don't think it would have been possible in under 1.5-2 years in any event.

[Anonymous]

OP here - wow, thanks for all of the info. I'm not sold on implants, just was leaning towards, but I'm definitely considering other options. I appreciate everyone's insights.