Implant or not to Implant?

Implant vs what?

Well, implants are not cosmetic. It’s the push for veneers that is over the top. Most dentists now seem to be at least equally concerned with looks as much as with health.

@jaytkay thanks for asking. Since I am not a dentist I am wondering what they can use besides a TOOTH implant.
@perspiciacious A dentist quoted me a price of $4,500.00 for a dental implant!

Ouch. My implants were $2200 for the bone graft, titanium seat and post, and $900 for the tooth part. I have one implant to replace a missing front tooth, and am getting two to replace missing molars.

Depending on the location of the tooth, your option is a bridge or partial plate.

Edit: the anesthesia for placing the post is $350 on top of that.

@NanciDru The money-making side of ANYTHING should always be considered, not just what we’re told is to our benefit. The lure of profit (profit is not bad in itself—we all must eat!) to the point of greed will always colour reasons why anything should be done, and the supposed benefit to us is what will be sold to us. Just be aware of this when making your decisions.

Don’t implant! Marry an Eskimo and have them chew up the food for you. You might like it!

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies loved the answer, made me laugh.

I’m with you on this one. I think dentists are pushing for more procedures weather it be from your pocket or the insurance company. The hygenist at my dentist office suggested I have a filling replaced because it is over 10 years old. Mind you, its not loose or bothering me in any way. Just have it replaced because my insurance pays for so much work per year. I passed on the procedure until later. Much later, I hope.

I am blessed with good teeth, but..have had two crowns in the last 5 years simply because of old amalgam fillings that have worn out.

My dentist has been pushing me to crown another molar with an old filling.

The tooth is fine, no issues with it, just a matter of EVENTUALLY needing a crown when the filling finally goes.

I am of the mind, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

Dentists do push for the maximum procedures, one must be a consumer and not fall for every plea and ploy to ‘upgrade’ teeth that are still healthy and functional. lol

Maybe I’ll get wooden dentures like George Washington. ;-)

@NanciDru

Haha…well…after 50 everything starts to go…I am very attached to my teeth, I hope they remain attached to me. lol

I am a dentist. the decision to implant is based on strict criteria such as bone level, age and health of the patient, and location of implantation. I would say, if you are a good candidate, a fixed tooth or prosthetic is always better than a denture. That being said, I recently went to a dentist, ( I am retired) and the upsell made me sick. Go to someone good, board certified.

@NanciDru George Washington had dentures, but never made of wood. It’s an urban legend. And if you have any doubts, you can do some sleuthing on the internet. :)

Whatever you do, don’t save your lost or pulled teeth and glue then into the gaping maw of a ceramic hippo.
A friends mother did this with her and her brothers baby teeth years ago…the thing sat on a shelf in the living room for years…it is one of my more disturbing childhood memories. lolol

@Coloma omg hahahahahaha thats hilarious

@trailsillustrated

Yes, a friend was told her jawbone was too ‘thin’ to take an implant, I never knew that jawbones had certain densities. :-?

@Coloma they do, if the bone is diseased, you can’t place an implant. Bones rely on pressure to maintain and rebuild, therefore if you lose teeth, there is no longer the push/pull pressure that activates the bone cells. This is why they advocate light weight bearing exercise for menopausal women, and why natural teeth are best. the second best is an implanted tooth or teeth, because it will have the same push/pull on the jaw. Once the jaw and alveolar (what’s underneath the gums) is gone, there is nothing to place the implant into. And it’s progressive; all bones need opposing weight to maintain their strength

@trailsillustrated

Fascinating!

What causes jawbones to become diseased?

Is it part of the outcome of periodontal disease?

@Coloma yes

My husband has both an implant and a bridge and he loves his implant.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies Thanks – I love drinking coffee through my nose in the morning.

I have a bridge and am perfectly content with it. Apart from the extra effort required for flossing, I never think about it. I do not know if the implant option was around when I had the dental work done.