Dental implant procedure - Dental Health Message Board

sparkie · 03-27-2008, 06:08 AM

My husband needs an implant, bottom molar. Our family dentist wants to do it, but I would prefer a true cosmetic dentist who does more of these procedures. What is the typical anesthetic protocol...general or local? I don't think my family dentist is set up for general anesthesia and I can't believe he would want to drill into the jawbone under local. Any experience anyone? Also, I was reading on another post that someone was still having pain I think 14 days later...is this typical? I know the other option for him is a bridge but even he said he would rather do an implant. After I read up on the procedure, and knowing his dental pain tolerance, I just wanted to hear from others. Thank you if you can share your experiences.

Thelma-Louise · 03-27-2008, 06:41 PM

Things may have changed since I had them done some 15 yrs ago but back then they used nitrous oxide or laughing gas and lots of local shots of novacaine. You may be better off and safer to see an implantologist or at least someone that does hundreds of them - not just the occassional few. It really needs to be done in a very sterile environment by someone who is well trained and experienced in doing it. I found them to be painful for the first few weeks - I had 4 uppers done in the front. It did not hurt though while they implanted them - but my upper jaw or the general area did throb and ache for a few weeks afterwards so I just kept taking plenty of the NSAIDs that the dr prescribed and by the months end I really had no pain at all.

npille · 05-18-2008, 09:51 AM

I opted for gas but he forgot to turn it on. It was a nightmare
in implants and I missed five days of work and felt like the Man in The Iron Mask. The dental implant expert who did this has now been suspended after a pile of complaints. I don't want to go into the nightmare I have endured because of his negligence but it's been horrible. Even so, I think you should go to an expert implant dentist, just make sure you get references on him. Dental implants are great if they are put in right.

G2K8 · 05-18-2008, 10:13 AM

I would definitely consult a specialist before going ahead with this and consider all of your options.

I just had a baby tooth extracted (I'm in my 30s but I had an old baby tooth that never fell out). In weighing my options for filling the gap in the back of my mouth I considered an implant, but ultimately decided against it. I have read of a number of cases where patients suffered irreversible nerve damage as a result of implants that were improperly placed. These people have had their lives changed forever.

Now I fully reailze these are the exception to the rule - most people with implants do just fine. But for me, it wasn't a risk worth taking for a tooth that's near the back and most people won't see anyway.

Also remember that implants are "relatively" new and as such the dental profession does not have a well developed specialtly for them - meaning anyone can offer implants and you have to judge their qualifications for yourself based on their experience, reference etc - there is no reconigzed standard for training and certification for implants. So you should also consider that then choosing a dentist to perform the procedure.

Best of luck

Edelweiss · 05-18-2008, 12:47 PM

I had two successful implants inserted about 4 years ago using a local anesthetic. It's basically painless. The discomfort is the "noise" you hear in your head!

Mine were done by an oral surgeon who is certified or whatever in doing implants. I would not want my family dentist to do them! If you decide to go ahead, I'd definitely go to someone who has done many, many implants successfully. I find that recommendations via word of mouth to be my best bet.

Good luck in your decision!