I recently had to have a molar extracted due to a root canal that went badly. I am seeing an oral surgeon to have an implant. He said the x-rays showed that I had some mild periodontal disease with some bacterial activity. He said that could effect the sucess rate of the implant, and is insisting that I have scalings first, otherwise he will not do the implant.

After a bad root canal and loss of the tooth, I am in no mood for scalings. In addition, the implant is quite expensive and I cannot afford both.

Is is absolutely necessary to have scalings before the implant, or is my dentist just tyring to run up the costs.

Thanks
Bercy

Why would you want to get the implant, and not the scaling first? If the scaling might optimize the sucess of your implant, I just don't understand. Don't you want an implant to succeed? Deb

If you don't have the scaling it not only will affect the implant it will also cause you to loose your other teeth. You need the scaling wheather you get the implant or not. Left untreated periodontal diease will get worse over time......

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Sher

Yeah I would get the scaling done first to optimize your dental health for the implant b/c you're right, they are expensive. And if the conditon of your gum in that area is compromising the implant's success, then it might be money wasted on the implant anyway.

You need to try to get that bacteria out of there.

I'm sorry about your root canal, btw. It IS tough to go through that and have it fail.

[This message has been edited by chica loca (edited 02-26-2003).]