Dentures Anyone ?

Implants. But maybe get a second opinion about extraction?

Yes, get a second opinion.

I went to a new dentist when my old one retired. He wanted to replace all my silver fillings with gold. Fill two or more cavities. Gum grafts. Braces. Fuck that.

I went elsewhere. The elsewhere dentist fixed the filling that the jerk did. And nothing else. Though I did get braces eventually, as my teeth continued to shift over the next 20 years..

Run, OP! Run!

I know some people prefer having their teeth yanked, but I am thrilled to have all my teeth at 58.

My teeth are rotting out of my head so I'm thinking about implants in three areas. I'm considering a long Holiday in Hungary where a lot of Europeans go for inexpensive but excellent dental work.

Mexico border town Los A (do not recall the name) also has good, inexpensive dental services.

I can't imagine living with dentures, OP.

Are you writing from 1965, OP?

How is it that there are people who let their teeth rot? Even if you can't afford a dentist regular brushing and flossing does wonders when it comes to dental health. I guess there are just lazy people who don't give a fuck about keeping their teeth. And some people don't give a damn about their children's dental hygiene either, hence the increasing amounts of children with bad teeth. Anyway, people do still wear dentures and plates these days. Implants are damned expensive. Dentures and plates aren't cheap either (dental care as a whole is not cheap) but they don't cost as much as implants.

Los Algodones, (r4). Good margaritas too...... Supposedly the highest concentration of dentists in just a few blocks that one could find anywhere. Never had dental work done there though. Check yelp and other sources for referrals before wandering into one randomly. Many studied in the US.

Implants are a long and relatively expensive process. I just had one done last year. First there is the extraction itself. Then they wait for 3-6 months to make sure that the socket has healed well and that the bone underneath is solid. Then they drill into that bone and put in the implant screw and a little cap over that. Then all of that has to heal for another 3-4 months. Then they do more xrays to make sure that the bone has bonded with the screw and send you to your own dentist to make the crown.

Total costs: Extraction $400 Implant the screw $2000 new crown $1500 That was for a simple tooth. In a more complicated part of the mouth, you'd be talking about double that cost per implant. In some cases, you need a bone graft in the old socket to make sure there is a good bone there to drill into for the implant Total time 10 1/2 months.

Unexpected consequence: The extraction process damaged the neighboring tooth, which abcessed. That necessitated a root canal on that tooth ($1400), and a new crown ($900).

Nonetheless, it all turned out beautifully and the implant and crown look great and chew perfectly.

Because of the number of visits involved and the time period over which the work needed to be done, I'd hesitate before having it done outside the country - unless I lived within driving distance of Los Algodones, even though I've heard that the total cost is about 1/2 of how much it would be in the States

So what's all this about one day implants?

There are some people who take good care of their teeth but have a genetic predisposition to tooth decay. Something that an upthread asshole is ignorant of.

There is an express lane to hell for the majority of American dentists. Their prices are absurd and for some strange reason they have escaped most scrutiny, especially in these times of ACA, etc.

How one’s mouth and teeth are not part of one’s “health” or “health” insurance is one of this country’s biggest capers.

If there is a way to get the work done overseas, go for it!

R9 has a mouthful of rotting teeth due to "a genetic predisposition." Yeah, right!

Certain medications can jack up your teeth, as can certain conditions, such as RA.

Also, injuries will catch up with many.

My dental hygienist warned me against implants in general saying there is no "formal protocol" in the dentistry profession for handling the very high risks associated with this procedure.

A colleague of mine sued his dentist for trauma and dental health impact associated with a failed implant.

No way would I ever get a dental implant.

Tell ya what, R11. Fuck you.

Fuck YOU, rotten teeth at R14.

Buy dental insurance. No, they won't cover the immediate needs, but you'll get the negotiated rate, which can save enough to pay for the insurance for a year, and you'll get two cleanings and a set of x-rays included at no additional charge. And if anything else crops up down the road, you're covered.

You'll get a discount if you tell them you don't have insurance R16. From what I have heard dentures are terrible. For some you lose your sense of taste and they just don't feel like your real teeth. The more expensive root (no pun intended) would be implants with a bridge if you have a lot of teeth that need to be pulled or missing.

Dental insurance is good for checkups, but covers very little if you have major procedures and you are capped yearly on how much they will pay R16.

Was it really so hard to brush your teeth? Implants usually last about ten years though. Make sure you find a dentist that guarantees them for that long and will be around in ten years. Once those implants fail, you probably won't be able to have enough bone left to get them again, so you'll wind up in dentures anyway.

You may want to save the hassle of wasting money.

I know a neighbor who got implants who said she liked dentures better.

Where do you get your information R19? Implants last up to 25 years. Of course it all depends on how well you take care of them.

I have 3 implants,and I loathe them. I took very good care of my teeth,but genetics are indeed a factor. I spent untold amounts and lost most of them anyway. Ive been wearing partials for a decade or so,and let myself be talked into implants and Ive regretted it every since.They look nice,but I really cant bite down on 2 of them comfortably,and my dentist has adjusted them several times to no avail. Not to mention the fact that the pressure points of the implants themselves have cause my upper to break 4 times in 5 years. So Ive said goodbye to lovely crunchy foods and citrus and gum etc,etc,etc.Dont do it OP,stick with plates,since in the long run youll end up there anyway.

Dentists are cheap money hungry bastards, OP. I know, I used to work for one.

They'll tell you you need to re-crown a back tooth just because some of the porcelain has chipped off - that's cosmetic, and doing another crown is more trauma to the tooth which may require a root canal and ANOTHER crown at a later date. They'll tell you you have periodontal disease and need expensive treatment and cleanings every three months to "save you teeth," when it's just the normal gum recession that comes with age. I've heard of dentists that tell clients they need numerous root canals when they don't - you'll KNOW when you need a root canal.

Most people only need teeth removed when they have advanced gum disease. Unless you haven't been to s DDS in 20 years, chances are your teeth are not "rotting away." Adults don't get cavities the way children do, though it's good to get them fixed asap. Also -Grinding your teeth at night, really bad. It's worth paying for a customized appliance to wear at night to protect your teeth. Mouth Guard like this:

Another fuck you to the braying jackass trying to make someone in a tough situation feel worse.

And yes, grinding/clenching at night is very hard on teeth. It got me a number of root canals and crowns until I got the proper guard. Now, no problems.

I did wonder about going abroad since fixing my teeth set me back at least 10k o we the course of several years.

Good luck, OP. Check back in and let us know what you’ve decided.

In other words, OP, get a second and third opinions. Bring films.

I had a crowned molar (#3), that was killing me. Dentist adjusted the bite, yet told me it was "loose" and he could pull it. That would be an implant $. Since I believed the tooth could/should be saved, I said no and never went back to that dentist. Three years later, I had massive pain in the tooth. New dentist told be there was an infection in the bone and I needed a root canal. Did that and had new crown. Six years later, all is well. My original tooth was saved and there is no more pain, and it was never "loose" of course.

If you can't afford something like that, OP, perhaps a partial will work. However, pulling teeth should be seen as a last resort. Looking into local dental schools could be an answer.

From what I have heard, implants are extremely expensive and a lot of trouble. Nothing is good...but I prefer easier.

There's also a middle ground with implants... basically, they implant four or six posts, then modify a pair of dentures to lock onto them. The main benefit is that you can get dentures first, then do the implants months or years later when you can afford them. I believe that when modifying the original dentures, they cut away the part that covers the roof of your mouth & shave away the part that would normally be behind your lower front teeth so it doesn't get in the way of your tongue. They also secure the dentures in place, so you can confidently bite into things like caramel without having to worry that you're going to open your mouth & have the dentures remain embedded in whatever you just bit into.

I'm pretty sure that when someone talks about "same-day implants", what they REALLY mean is that someone who ALREADY HAS dentures can go in, get the 4 or 6 mini-posts screwed in while someone else modifies the original dentures, then go home with everything done. It's "same day" because the teeth were extracted long ago, the healing is done, and the dentures are already made. If bone grafts are/were necessary, they were done before the "same day" procedure as well. I'd be SHOCKED if someone could literally go in with rotten teeth, have them extracted, get the implants screwed in and the dentures made, and go home with everything done in a single day (or at least, that they'd actually be comfortable 6+ months later after everything finally healed).

Are veneers the same thing as implants?

No, dumb dumb. Veneers are fitted to the outside of a tooth. Purely cosmetic procedure.

No, veneers are basically plates that are bonded to the front of the tooth for aesthetic purposes. The tooth itself has to be sound & healthy.

Same day implants are exactly what it says R27. Personally I wouldn't get same day implants.

I had very bad teeth, and had lost half of the top, with the rest being chipped/crumbled. I delayed visiting the dentist because I was terrified of the cost and the pain/inconvenience.

When I finally went, I was told that I had two options: full upper denture, or a full upper implant. I chose the full upper implant, total cost $26k. It was worth it.

It was a one-day operation. I was in the chair for a solid eight hours. All of the teeth were extracted and six posts were implanted into my bone. Then a temporary implant was screwed in to the posts. A couple of days of pain, and then I returned to work. The implant looked great. I had to eat liquids/soft food for about four months. Then after six months, when it was confirmed that the bone grafts had 'taken', the permanent implant was screwed in to the posts.

Now it feels normal. The implant looks great. Maintenance is regular brushing and using a Water Pik to clean out the gap between the gum and the implant.

Well worth the $$, and it turned out perfect. I didn't consider dental tourism since I'm single and didn't have anyone to help me with the recovery while overseas. Instead, my dentist's office was two blocks away, and my family and friends helped me with the short recovery.

What types of material did they use for your implants R32?

The implant is made of acrylic plastic molded around a titanium arch. The posts use titanium.

For the moron claiming there is no genetic predisposition to dental caries:

"For the moron claiming there is no genetic predisposition to dental caries."

Nobody said that genetics play no factor in propensity to tooth decay, you dipshit. But it's a convenient excuse for some people with a mouthful of nasty rotten teeth: "My teeth are bad due to genetics! It's not my fault!"

I have a upper front partial. My partner does not notice when I deepthroat (choke) on his big dick. I went to a place that just does tooth extracting and dentures. $400. The dentist wanted $1500. I buy dollar store or cheap Walmart version of Efferdent to clean the dentures.

My daughter is a dental hygienist. Dentistry is big business now, and they try to oversell you on everything. Dentist no longer extract, you have to go to a specialist. Come in pain, it's like bringing your car into service: here's your list of everything you need for 15K, and it will take 3 visits to do the one root canal.

Use Crest Complete, one of the highest rated toothpastes. You will feel tingling in your gums.

Thank you for your response R34. Do your implants feel like ones natural teeth?

[quote]Was it really so hard to brush your teeth?

What does it matter now, what was? Gotta deal with shit now.

It matters a lot now R39.

I had a 90-degree twisted canine tooth removed because of the underlying bone loss that had progressed over decades. To the assholes who don't understand why some people have problems with their teeth--in spite of regularly brushing, flossing and visiting their dentists--my problem isn't unusual. It was impossible to reach an area well below the gum line and laterally off to the side. Implants are not an option, as I've had too much bone loss, even though my oral surgeon added a bone graft. I'll probably get a "Maryland bridge."

r38 It feels very natural now. I can bite and chew anything. One 'maintenance' issue I didn't mention earlier is that, after the first couple of years, I need to see a dentist once every year or two who will unscrew the posts and then remove the device in order to examine my gum for signs of inflammation, cancer, infection, etc. And the dentist will also put the implant into a sonic cleaner for about a half-hour to do a deeper clean than just brushing or scraping. It's a weird sensation to feel the screws being tightened or untightened, like a torque wrench in a car engine. And it's a WEIRD sensation when the implant has been removed and my whole upper face just caves in. That is when I'm truly grateful that I didn't get dentures, because then I would have had that sensation every time I removed my upper denture.

Everybody who has dentures develops Tennessee backwoods meth face. Implants are the way to go. Even bloody Elizabeth Taylor had dental implants and that was decades ago.

My dental hygienist wanted me to come in three or four times a year. My insurance only pays for two, and I’m in and out pretty quickly, so I don’t see a need for it. I don’t get cavities. So, it annoyed me that she kept nagging me about that and I lost my temper the last time she mentioned it. Well, at least she’s stopped mentioning it, after that.

Teeth and eyes are really important to keep in good shape, if you can.

R44, darling, "teeth cleaning" more than twice a year is not about cavities, it's about GUM DISEASE and prevention of it. She probably saw more bleeding than normal, did you ask? You may be cavity free, but ten years from now you'll lose a tooth or two or three because you didn't take care of it now.

No, R45. I’ve been ignoring them for more then 10 years already, to no harm.

Do you go more than twice a year to get your teeth cleaned? I’ve got good genes. Rarely have a problem. Besides, in 10 more years, I’ll be at death’s door, no doubt.

3 on 6, which is permanent implant bridges. Whole mouth for $29,000 (sinus lift and bone graft included in that price) as opposed to the All on 4 for $54,000. $3,000 off the price if you don't have to have a sinus lift. They will feel more like your natural teeth and there is no artificial gum line. All on 4 mutilates your gums. They have to grind down the gums in order to fit the implant, which is really just permanent dentures. With all on 4 it can cost up to $1000 or more for your yearly cleanings. With the 3 on 6 you treat them and clean them like regular teeth.

This Tuesday I go in for the sinus lift. 4 to 6 months later I go in for bone graft and implants. I wear dentures for 3 months for the implants to heal and then get temporaries. They do all the adjustments with the temporaries and then make the permanents.

I know I sound like a commercial. I kept putting off getting the All on 4 because there was just an uneasy feeling. All on 4 has been around since the 90's. 3 on 6 is the new way and has been made possible my new technologies. I got lucky since there is an office about 15 miles from my home. If need be I would have traveled out of state for the 3 on 6.

R47, that's very interesting. I've never heard the whole explanation for that procedure. I've had several implants done over the years and been very happy with the results. Good luck on all that coming up. Make sure you get proper pain meds. My last implant in the very back of my mouth really hurt. I was surprised at the pain and had to beg some Percocet from a friend because all I had was vicoden and it wasn't doing the trick.

My brother just had a deep cleaning, it sounded horrible. He was on liquids and ultra soft foods for two weeks.

I’m so lucky to have the best dentist ever! Thank you Dr. M!

Thanks R48

I had the sinus lift and bone graft today. They did the right side. They pulled a tooth on the left side and I go back in three weeks to have the sinus lift and bone graft on that side. What was interesting is they draw your blood and use it later. Studies have show that it helps with the pain and healing. I'm still numb so I don't know what the pain, if any, will be like when it wears off. They have Netflix so I'll have to check for a movie I will like to watch next time. The dentist was great. He kept asking if I was alright and if I was in any pain.

r32 here with some followup. About six months ago I had a heart attack and ended up in the cardiac ICU on a respirator. After four days in the ICU, they removed the respirator. Unfortunately, doing that knocked off a part of my implant (looked like a broken front tooth). I didn't pay it much mind for awhile since I was just grateful to be alive, but then last month another crack developed in the implant when I bit down on a piece of popcorn. Had to have it removed and sent back 'to the lab' to fix, while I wore the original temporary. Today the repaired implant was installed.

How much did they charge you to fix it R53?

I had six teeth extracted a week ago today. THen a denture fitted. Still some pain, but I can smile now.

Partial removable denture R55?

Full top, r56. Replaced a partial I've had for 6 years.

How do dentures feel R57. I have to wear a top and bottom while my implants are healing.

Ask Nancy Pelosi.

Implants don't last forever, maybe 10 years. If you have the coin to shell out $3000 a tooth, God bless. But sometimes bone density is insufficient. Dentures aren't a bad option.

That's a bunch of BS R60. Have you ever heard of bone grafts? It depends on how well you take care of them and other factors.

Bone grafts don't always work R61. Trust me.

There are good dentist and there are bad. Some dentist don’t allow for the bone graft to heal long enough. I think the graft works better when there is no tooth. I had an idiot dentist that didn’t even get the graft in the right place.

My bone density isn't good, so dentures were the option. They hurt, but that should go away as the swelling subsides.

Ugh - thanks to OP for starting this thread! I recently went to the dentist & received the grim diagnosis of needing two crowns & a tooth extraction. I genuinely do have good dental hygiene - I brush & floss after every meal, but at this point, I've developed cavities under old fillings. It's one of my few good habits! I go in for cleanings twice a year and my dentist carried on about this issues as if perhaps I've been drinking maple syrup every day for the last year or maybe I've been held captive & haven't brushed my teeth, but I think the truth is that these issues have been there - they just didn't catch them or they've become more pronounced. My sister has all sorts of dental issues (my parents had bad teeth, but they kind of grew up poor & had little dental care as kids), so maybe it is a genetic thing. But it's depressing as hell

Did you know that gum disease can be spread by kissing?

Eskimo kisses only from here on out!

Had my other sinus lift this past Tuesday. Stitches will come out a week later. I will have to wait for 4 to 6 months for everything to heal and then last teeth pulled, implants and temporary dentures for 3 months. I know the dentures are going to drive me crazy and that 3 months is going to seem like an eternity. Not that anyone is interested, but I post my updates because I feel there is an alternative to dentures and the all-on-four, which is known as over-dentures. The all-on-four is just a permanent denture which mutilates your gums. My procedure will cost less than half of the all-on-four, be easier to clean and feel more natural. If you feel I am a shill for the company you are terribly wrong. I had searched for over 6 months for an alternative to all-on-4 and never found an alternative. I don't even know what the search word was, but I found these dentist on a late Sunday night. I've actually tried to replicate my search for this alternative and it is nearly impossible to find this procedure.

R32 did insurance cover a portion?

I'm not R32, R68. Rarely does insurance cover implants. Check your insurance policy, it has a very low limit to what they will cover. For the most part anyone need an implant or whole mouth implants is going to pay for it out of pocket. And it not not fucking cheap.