Loosing A Tooth

[UKSWF]

I have to have a front tooth (bottom front) removed, my dentist suggested an implant but at a cost of around £3000 (yikes!) the alternative is a denture. I think I will go ahead with the denture but if I change my mind in the future (and win the lottery!) would an Implant still be possible? Thanks

[SlackAlice]

Best one to ask, would be the dentist. I do not have any qualifications medically, but wonder if the gums might shrink causing problems to having an implant fitted later.

[ubasses]

Yes, my husband could not get on with a denture, and after not bothering for several years had implants last year, after losing yet another back tooth.

[Sqad]

yes it would, depending of course if there has not been too much bone absorption.

J2PUR is the expert.

[thugulike]

I had 3 implants last year and haven't regretted it at all. They are expensive but the teeth surrounding them are not under the pressure they would be under if I had a denture. It took a long time to complete the procedure but it was painless

[UKSWF]

Lots to think about there, thanks for your answers, I did consider offering myself as a guinea pig at the University Dental School (as they are always looking for 'models' to learn on) but I will think some more!

[Old_Geezer]

Could always try a loan. Tell the bank manager you're building (your teeth back up) and ask for a mortgage.

[boxtops]

I wouldn't go abroad for dental or medical treatment - I've heard too many cases of the NHS having to pick up the tab if it goes wrong.

[Prudie]

Are the teeth either side OK, I'm wondering why you can't just have a bridge?

[UKSWF]

Yes the other teeth are ok, I have an appointment with the dentist next week to make the denture then one the following week to remove the tooth and immediately fit the denture so I will run it past her, I am not sure I understand the benefits of a bridge v denture!

[Prudie]

A bridge is a fake tooth permanently fixed to the teeth either side. A denture comes out at night and sleeps in a glass :-)

[UKSWF]

Seriously..... You don't really have to remove a denture at night do you? You have got me worried now, I assumed you just have to remove it for cleaning unless you are ill or having an anaesthetic procedure ??

[Gizmonster]

http://uk.ask.com/question/sleep-with-dentures

I was also going to ask have you considered a bridge ??
As the link above explains, a denture needs to be removed at night to give the palette and gums a rest, etc.
A bridge is a permanent fixture. It's a bit like a crown - it fits onto your good tooth and another "false" tooth is fixed onto the side of this.
I have a denture, a bridge and 2 crowns (bad accident when I was younger) - if I was you, I'd ask about a bridge - a lot less hassle than a denture.

[Prudie]

I'm wondering if cost is a factor? I'm in the process of having a single gap sorted myself. I was offered a denture on NHS, a bridge but private only @£700 or an implant at silly money.

[UKSWF]

I have an NHS dentist and don't pay for my dental treatment, so I will have a look at this option. I am not sure if Bridgework would be covered though.

[Prudie]

That's what I'm thinking, my dentist told me I couldn't have a bridge on NHS only a denture. Although I have the money it's not where I want to spend it. Dental charges these day are an exorbitant rip-off.

[UKSWF]

I am in exactly the same situation Prudie, I really can't afford £3k for an implant but also £700 is leaving me very tight financially! I think it maybe a denture for now and perhaps a bridge in the future when Government finishes bashing the genuine disabled people.

[UKSWF]

I saw my dentist today and she has said either way we have to begin with a Denture as the gum has to fully heal, there maybe the chance of bridge work in the future if I cannot cope with the denture so I will have to wait and see. Tooth comes out next week Yikes......

[UKSWF]

Tooth is out, no pain at all, problem is the denture is faulty and doesn't fit right (Impossible to eat without the aid of Fixodent! and I now have a vocal lisp) the current denture is very small and I am worried about swallowing it , but my dentist is trying her best to get a new one made before I go on holiday at the end of next week. On the whole it is not as bad as i expected but I do think I will aim for a bridge in the long term.