Have you any experience of a dental implant?

If its just one tooth missing, a bridge might be a possibility, the adjacent teeth would have to be crowned but I think less expensive than an implant. I had such a bridge which lasted 26 years! Have a conversation with your dentist.

I had an implant done in 2020, just before lockdown. It was done in one - long - session. The procedure itself was tedious, lots of lying back in chairs and also waiting around to move onto next stage but luckily the specialist dentist I saw was jovial and reassuring.

When the anaesthetic wore off I felt a bit knocked about, I suppose, but paracetamol helped with that and after 48 hours, it was much better. You have to follow careful hygiene routines afterwards but that’s all. It felt a bit strange at first, I could tell that it wasn’t my own tooth but it becomes a part of you eventually.

God luck!

I had a dental implant last year. It was the tooth behind an eye tooth and was replacing a crown that I’d had for about 30 years. That crown cost me £90 and all these years later the root had broken but it was worth every penny. The implant was fine - I had no issues and I am a very unhappy dentist attender. When I was wee you got a smack on the legs for crying when you were scared and a sweetie out of his jar if you were “good”. Set me up for life - not! That dentist removed my eye tooth as it had a tiny bad bit showing and he informed my mother that it was a baby tooth. It wasn’t and I had X-rays years later to see why my eye tooth wasn’t showing. The rest of my teeth on that side are therefore badly twisted because of the gap, and my smile is horrible. I’ll never forgive that dentist and so wish that I could afford to have more implants. I think I paid around £2500 for this little one but I am very pleased with it. Could be that future tooth losses will need to be falsers 😬. Wish we were like sharks and could just grow new ones 😂

I had a dental implant about 7 years ago and had to have it removed because of lack of bone in the jaw. It was regularly infected which upset my system after all the antibiotics and I ended up taking myself privately to a maxillo facial surgeon to have it removed. Having a dental implant removed is not for the faint hearted and felt like a pneumatic drill in my head. I suffered with TMJ for months afterwards and it completely upset my digestive system. But, that is my experience. My advice would be to go somewhere really reputable where the dental surgeon knows exactly what he is doing and comes with a list of credentials and recommendations.

You must ask around. I have found a good dentist 25 miles away from me. He’s cheaper, very busy and doesn’t try to persuade you to have anything done. As I had lost bone I had to have two sinus lifts and bone grafts. I was quite nervous as it involved drilling through my jawbone both sides and carefully raising my sinus membrane. I never felt a thing but have to wait 9 months for the graft to become strong enough to take the implants. I have 5 months to go.

This dentist was found after asking around lots of people and so far I’m very happy.

I had an implant 2 years ago. It was done by a specialist dentist at my usual surgery. I did no research of any kind before hand.

The original tooth had broken and needed repalcement, an implant was the best solution. I had enough bone in my jaw for it to be fitted, so it was done. It cost £2000 and I forget I even have it.

You need to see a specialist in this. I was recommended to someone who only does implants and teaches the procedure at Kings, London. You have to have enough bone and the implant has to settle (and bone grow round it) before the ‘tooth’ is screwed on. I’m very happy with it but it cost as much as a holiday!

I agree, go to a specialist dentist who just does this type of work, not a general dentist.

Humbertbear, new methods of implants mean it can be done all in one day, if the patient is suitable. That’s how mine was done, there was no need to wait for anything. 🙂

You’ll have to wait if you need bone grafts. The guy I see is an implant specialist and you’re only suitable for all in a day if there’s no bone loss. Depends how long the tooth (teeth) have been missing.

I did go to a specialist who had a good reputation for two back teeth at the same time. Took several visits as he had to build up the bone first, then the screw fitting then lastly the screw in tooth.
Was excellent and has made all the difference. Alas quite expensive (£7k for both)
Now saving for another 2 the other side. Yes by the sound of it we suffered a lot as children with ‘over fillings!’ Those poor back teeth of mine were overfilled then needed root canal’s & crowns… now as the crowns give way … implants.
Good luck !

Yes, I’ve had a couple, some years ago now - not front teeth though.
Expensive and quite a while in the chair - 2 appts as I recall - but apart from the usual injections, which I can put up with, not painful at all.

Thanks ladies. It’s all very helpful advice. I am wobbling like a jelly just thinking about it but must put on those big girl pants soon.

I had five front teeth replaced with implants earlier this year which look pretty good and feel fairly natural after a fall down the stairs, landing on my face - not my finest moment.

It's not a pleasant experience, especially as I had to have so many, and I was in the chair for what seemed like an age. As you only need one tooth OP, it should be a much, much shorter experience for you.

You're put on antibiotics for the initial procedure to lessen the chance of infection and numbed with injections beforehand, then sent home with instructions to rinse with salt water and take painkillers if it feels sore later. A soft diet for a few days is helpful.

You feel a bit rough afterwards but it's not unbearable. I'm not particularly scared of dental work which is just as well. I'd advise you to do your homework and think about it - have you any friends who've had it done who can share their experiences?

Yes lovebeigecardigans1955
I am seeking advice everywhere and my oldest friend has had 3 implants with gentle sedation. I went out to a lovely Indian restaurant today and had to ask for a doggie bag as I felt so embarrassed to eat in public. The waiter was wonderful and I asked for his name to give a good review on trip advisor but I also have several blogs highlighting Indian food.

I had two implants just before lockdown. They took months as I needed a bone graft. This was front teeth. No pain but discomfort. I would have the whole lot done tomorrow if I could afford it. About 6wks ago a front tooth just spontaneously snapped off at gum level and after root removal dentist did a bridge attached to one of my implants. I would go to my dentist any day rather than see a gp. Good luck.

Definitely go to a specialist dentist. I did and had 5 implants. The work goes in stages and I needed a small bone graft which was successful. It’s expensive too. I am very pleased with the result and have no regrets. Very important to have the work done by a specialist dentist in the UK. Wouldn’t risk having implants done abroad.

I had my implant done a few years ago. It was the best thing I ever had done and is far better than the crown I had. I have always been terrified of dentists but I was made to feel so comfortable that I would happily return if I had to have another one.

I’ve had 2- put in about 10 years ago by a really gentle, careful dentist. Best teeth in my mouth! I’d asked lots of friends where they went, and then looked at reviews and visited for a chat I told them I was really nervous after a bad experience with a root canal treatment. Everything was done with lots of explanations & care.
X rays were done pre treatment to check bone density. Implants were inserted then left a few months for bone to grow around them. No pain, just a little soreness in mouth after the anaesthetic wore off.
Def do in the uk- just in case there are problems.
Good luck

Mine was done by a specialist dentist who teaches the procedure - as someone upthread said you don't want a regular dentist to do it.
It was done in stages as it was a few years ago but the bone was good and (like yours) access was easy.
It was expensive but not at all painful. A bit odd as my specialist was very keen on the engineering side of it! I had asked him about the various brands as I knew he used the same brand 90% of the time. He said he liked this brand structurally and the parts were readily available! He said "if necessary, you can have this serviced anywhere in the world" .

I would say go for it.
My teeth are well looked after but full of fillings. I'd never risk a bridge!

I have five dental implants and all have been fine. It is not particularly comfortable to wear a plate on the bottom teeth, which is why I had the first implant. I would highly recommend. I don't particularly like the dentist either but it was a needs must for me.

Yes I also have had so many butchers over the years that have scared me senseless. Then I met my now dentist at work he would come into work everyday and we got onto teeth lol he asked me to call his office and say I had asked him to. This man as done alsorts for me and I will suffer the pain because I feel safe with him no more butchers for me. So I wouldn’t say it’s your pain you need to feel you trust your dentist. Also im still scared of dentist because of bad experiences I’ve being with him 15yrs you name it I’ve had it done for my perfect smile lol

I had an implant a couple of years ago. My dentist recommended me to a specialist in the same practice. I didn't need a bone graft, but the neighbouring tooth required root canal work which put the cost up quite a bit. However tooth problems can impact health in other parts of the body, so I regard maintenance as a top priority. TBH, I experience very little pain when having modern dental treatment. I had the root canal work done without any injections and actually fell asleep in the chair. Of course, after oodles of NHS dentistry, most of the nerves in my teeth have died.

I have 2 implants. You need a specialist dentist. My mother had one at the age of 80 and was very pleased. Highly recommend them, especially if it's in an important part of your mouth. You will need good jaw bone density and dental health is very important afterwards. I would suggest to everyone that they invest in a water dental flosser. My teeth and gums have never looked so good. A cheap £25 one is perfectly adequate - as recommended by the implant dentist.

Yes me too, just have one and sorry that I didn’t get two.
The best investment I ever made!
All the best advice you’ve got above, stay here and you won’t be sorry.