Dental Implants Are Awesome

Dental Implants Are Awesome

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Discussion

dmahon

Original Poster:

2,717 posts

71 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Just a small public service announcement.

I had dental implants earlier this year and I’m really happy with the results. Not too painful a procedure and feel perfectly natural now they’ve bedded in.

I was missing a lower molar on both sides after fillings, root canals, crowns etc. Third one forward from the wisdom tooth on both sides.

Decided to do both to help with chewing. I was understandably nervous at the thought of having metal screwed into my jaw, but the actual placements weren’t too bad. Just like a slightly more dramatic and longer filling.

You have to return a few months later to have them exposed ready for the crowns. I actually found that part more painful even though it usually only takes 5 minutes.

End to end the process took 6-8 months as I had to have some additional bone graft (squirting some white stuff in from a tube, not as traumatic as it sounds.)

I now have 2 perfect teeth which feel almost totally natural. The only time I notice is eating ice cream because they lack sensitivity. Apart from that, I barely think about them apart from some extra focus on cleaning.

Total cost was around £5k due to the bone grafts adding extra, but probably the best £5k I’ve ever spent.

Random post I know, but wanted to share a positive experience in case anyone else is considering them or searching in future!

Pistonsquirter

351 posts

46 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Well noted thanks, where did you go and was there a long lead/waiting list?

steveo3002

10,669 posts

181 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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i was watching some animations on youtube about implants , did they cut and peel your gums back? looks a bit painfull

they certainly look the way to go if you can afford it

do you just have the metal stump until the day its finished ?

dmahon

Original Poster:

2,717 posts

71 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
quotequote all
Pistonsquirter said:
Well noted thanks, where did you go and was there a long lead/waiting list?
I went private to a place in Essex. Took a week or two to get the process started.

dmahon

Original Poster:

2,717 posts

71 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
i was watching some animations on youtube about implants , did they cut and peel your gums back? looks a bit painfull

they certainly look the way to go if you can afford it

do you just have the metal stump until the day its finished ?
Yes, I think they are chopping and pulling gums around, but you don’t really feel it or know what they are doing.

Ok the day of the implants there is nothing sticking out. You are just stitched up and left to heal.

After a few months, they re-expose the implant and put a metal stump thing to allow the gum to take shape and heal for another month or two. This is the bit I found more painful both in the chair and in recovery. After a week or so it settles down though and jobs a good ‘un.

craig1912

3,712 posts

119 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Had one of mine for 15 years and the other about 5 years. Best money ever spent

steveo3002

10,669 posts

181 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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are they stitches that dissolve? sounds painfull having your gums stitched up

Armitage.Shanks

2,446 posts

92 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Sounds not unlike my experience except I had my implants completed in Turkey. Mine were needed to support a bridge which was an original NHS to 'bridge' what was my only extracted tooth a back upper molar. Unfortunately because it had been removed many years ago the bone density would not support a single implant so I ended up with two and a new bridge.

Whilst the placing of the screws and associated sinus lift, then stitches was an 'experience' I found the opening up 6 months later slightly more uncomfortable like yourself. Had they been readily avaiolable some 25+yrs ago when the tooth was removed I'd have had an implant without hesitation.

anonymous-user

61 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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craig1912 said:
Had one of mine for 15 years and the other about 5 years. Best money ever spent
Had mine for 15 years and agree, money well spent.

andy_s

19,607 posts

266 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Ooooh I'm looking at something like this I think, I've a bit of treatment first in November and then my dentist will assess viability etc, good to know they seem to work well.

dmahon

Original Poster:

2,717 posts

71 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
are they stitches that dissolve? sounds painfull having your gums stitched up
I had real stitches which had to be removed, but again that wasn’t as bad as it sounds. The thought of the whole procedure is much worse than the reality, with the exception of the bill :-)

bloomen

7,462 posts

166 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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How annoying was the lack of teeth?

I'm missing a couple at the back but have never missed the lack of them. I guess the further forward you go the more irritating it is.

Armitage.Shanks

2,446 posts

92 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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My stitches were the dissolving type.

CloudStuff

3,855 posts

111 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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I’m interested in recommendations for uk based, expert (not just ambitious generalist) implant-offering dentists.

Mr Pointy

11,864 posts

166 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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CloudStuff said:
I’m interested in recommendations for uk based, expert (not just ambitious generalist) implant-offering dentists.
Whereabouts in the country?

CloudStuff

3,855 posts

111 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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Mr Pointy said:
CloudStuff said:
I’m interested in recommendations for uk based, expert (not just ambitious generalist) implant-offering dentists.
Whereabouts in the country?
Sorry - kind of an important aspect!

Berkshire / Hampshire / Surrey / Oxfordshire / London

craig1912

3,712 posts

119 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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CloudStuff said:
Sorry - kind of an important aspect!

Berkshire / Hampshire / Surrey / Oxfordshire / London
This guy did my last one and around six crowns over the years. Top quality although you may pay a little more.

http://www.oneharleystreet.co.uk/aboutoneharleystr...

He also works out of this practice in Wickham

https://wickhamdental.com/the-practice/dental-team...

As I said he may cost a little more but uses latest techniques and equipment

langtounlad

787 posts

178 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/dental-care/practice...
Peter Sanders
GDC - 55501
FFGDP RCS (Eng), MSc ImpDent (Lond), DipImpDent RCS (Eng) (Advanced certificate), MFGDP, BDS, LDSRCS
Dentist
Dr Peter Sanders has been a practising dentist since 1981, and has been involved in implant dentistry for more than 25 years.

I'm a very happy but much poorer patient. Check out Pete's CV - it's impressive
He's given me a smile by undoing damage done by other so-called experts.
Not cheap, but he knows his stuff and exclusively does implants.

CloudStuff

3,855 posts

111 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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Thank you both very much.

Serious recommendations from here mean a lot (ph at it’s best).

It’s time to face my most powerful demon, have to get my smile fixed once and for all.

langtounlad

787 posts

178 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
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My journey, so far, has taken 2 years because I've needed a number of bone grafts. These need time to 'take' before the implant work can commence. Then the implant also needs time (6mths) to fully integrate with the bone. Then the healing screws and 3mths later the final crown is bonded into place. I mention all that as you need to have confidence in your dentist and it helps to build a good relationship. Pete's practice is all from referrals from other dentists who don't have the skills to tackle the stuff that he does, especially the restoration stuff such as bone grafts and sinus lifts etc. I'm looking forward to finishing my journey by approx February next year.