DENTAL IMPLANTS

[Amanda8]

Has anyone out there had a recent dental implant...... im looking for as much recent information as possible

[DEN53]

Two of my friends have recently had dental implants - I would love to have them done but can't afford them.

What would you like to know Amanda ?

[Amanda8]

I dont even know what i want to know, im in panic mode. How long does it take from start to finish, i heard you have to wait 3months for the "screw in" to graft before you have the crown fitted and i heard that your face swells to twice the normal size, all the usual horror stories. Ive been quoted £2k for one implant including the crown. I think this is about average. How long does it take for it all to settle down afterwards and how painful is it although ill suffer anything for vanity - even poverty.

[Sqad]

Amanda......mrs sqad had one recently and bless her heart had a very rough time, painful and protracted treatment.....about 3, two hour sessions over a period of 6weeks. She would NEVER do it again.

BUT....she has a small mouth and has always hated the dentist, so this may not be typical.

Cost ...£2000.per tooth.

[DEN53]

Amanda both my friends went to my dentist who specialises in implants - in fact he teaches other dentists.

First you have an MRI scan of your mouth to see if your bone is strong enough to take the implant. Both my friends opted to be sedated for the actual implant to be fitted. Afterwards they could still wear their denture for the 3 months that it takes for the implant to bed in. Then the crown is fitted to the implant.

I can categorically say they were not in any pain afterwards, just a bit sore (which would be expected). The cost was £2,000 per tooth plus around £300 for the MRI scan. £150.00 for sedation. They had no infection and the implants look great.

Hope this helps.

[Amanda8]

Thanks for that everyone.

[J9PUR]

In addition...
a) Most dental implants are placed under local anaesthesua alone, without needing sedation or GA
b) Post-opertative discomfort/swelling us relatively mild - sometimes less than having a tooth extracted
c) An MRI scan is not usuallky needed. Radiographs are mandatory to assess bone height for implant placement, proximity of adjacent tooth roots and other anatomical structures. In some cases, a CT scan is needed to help visualise the 3-D anatomy that cannot be picked up from radiographs. This is usually done when the width of the implant site is in question.
Hope this helps!