dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
I lost two teeth on my low left side. My question is that what are the pros and cons to either have two implants at once or do one at a time. What are the considerations? Thanks in advance!
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
If you have them done both at the same time you will limit the procedure itself and sedation, anxiety and post surgical discomfort to a one time occurrence although it will require that you be in the chair and sedated a bit longer - but not by much. If the teeth are next to each other and you are having temp crowns placed it would save time if these were done at the same time as well. I can't think of any pros or cons - other than the whole issue of going through it again - of having them done individually.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
I had both done at once (in my case, 2 molars on either side on the top). Would highly recommend it. No price break on the implants themselves, but it had to be cheaper (definitely more convenient) to go under the anaesthetic only once and get them both implanted. I had very little pain afterwards.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
I have 2 molars on the same side. So definitely I should do both at the same time. I just have to put enough money in my flexible account to cover this. I called my dentist office this morning to get an estimate but they said I have to have an appointment first. I don't know if the price varies a lot or is pretty standard. Does it pay for shopping around for the price? I live in Chicago area.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
I suppose you could shop around but I'd be wary of anybody with lowball quotes! Can your regular dentist recommend a few oral surgeons who do this work? Frankly, I don't know how you pick professionals out; DH and I got lucky, I guess. Ours were done by an oral surgeon recommended by our regular dentist; funny thing is, we eventually ditched that dentist. The oral surgeon is an MD and DDS, and had us fill out waivers listing all the risks. It actually made me feel better; someone who wants to swipe your credit card and dive right in would be a red flag for me. He/she should ask about your smoking history (harder to have successful implants if you smoke), for women, should ask about whether they take bone supplements (also bad for implants) and should be very careful about the location of your sinus cavity if the teeth are on the top. DH couldn't get an implant for one of his upper molars because they were afraid of accidentally breaching the sinus cavity.
We're in KC and didn't shop around. If you do, I'd go with the one who asks the most questions.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
This is valuable information and good advice. I really appreciate.
For the dental procedure itself, how many appointments you had to complete it? and for how long (like one month)? Do I need a family member to take me home after it, or I can walk home myself?
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
One appointment to remove the remainder of the teeth. (One had bad decay under a bridge; the other had broken off. Neither could be removed by our regular dentist.) General anaesthesia; had to have DH drive me home.
Maybe 3 months later- put in the bottom part of the implants- the titanium plate with the threaded hole. In my case, he put in some bone grafts, too. General anaesthetic again.
About 3 months after that- uncover the implants. Local anesthetic. I think that's when they put on a "healing cap"- a small peg screwed down into the plate.
And about 3 months later- take off the healing cap, screw in the fake tooth. No pain, no anaesthetic. And somewhere in there they must have taken an impression so they knew how to shape/color the fake teeth.
Yeah, it takes forever, but I understood the need to make sure it was healed at every stage. My dentist had one client who did a full set of implants- basically dentures anchored with 6 implanted screws. During all the healing, he had a set of dentures that were cosmetic only- he lived on liquids and soft foods. He'd been having such a bad time with his original dentures, though, that he was thrilled and said the new implants changed his life.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Stuff like implants are typically done by an oral surgeon. You may want to ask your regular dentist for referrals. In some areas, there is a local consumer magazine called Checkbook in the library that may list oral surgeons and other specialists who are most frequently referred to when they survey general dentists.
The first visit for any type of oral surgery is typically a consultation with x-rays.
Due to the effects of sedation / anesthesia, when you have the work done requiring sedation / anesthesia, you will either need someone to take you home, or escort you if you walk or use public transportation.
If you smoke, quit if you can first. For oral surgery, you must abstain for about a week anyway, so if you can do that, you might as well quit forever and enjoy the health benefits of not smoking.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Thank you both for the information and suggestions. The procedure sounds a little scary. But if it is I have to go thru I'd better be prepared. I don't smoke. That's good.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Hi I saw your post. Can you tell what options your hubby had instead of an implant regarding the sinus cavity area? I have a situation of older crowns in those areas and was told something about "lifting" my sinus cavity and I felt that sounded too invasive could cause long range problems so opted for another crown but afraid eventually something would have to be done differently and not sure what my options could be. anneh
[QUOTE=AThena53;4114797]and should be very careful about the location of your sinus cavity if the teeth are on the top. DH couldn't get an implant for one of his upper molars because they were afraid of accidentally breaching the sinus cavity.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Quote:
Originally Posted by anneh
Hi I saw your post. Can you tell what options your hubby had instead of an implant regarding the sinus cavity area?
A bridge, unfortunately. I say "unfortunately" because now that I've had a couple of implants I just hate the idea of grinding down a couple of perfectly good teeth to anchor a bridge- but we trust our oral surgeon and if he doesn't want to chance implant surgery, we're not going to go ahead with it.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
I had the first stage of 4 implants done recently and had to have bone grafts in my sinuses as well. I elected to have it all done at once. It took about 4 hours. I had local anesthesia---novacaine or whatever has replaced it. That is kind of a long time in the chair but I hate the needles so much and prefer to just have to deal with it once because if you use local, it takes a lot of shots and, as this was upper, those lovely ones that go up your nose and make your eyes tear. It was not painful at the time and I had meds for after the anesthesia wore off. Plan to eat soup and applesauce for two or three days. I go back soon to have the screws put in which requires more surgery and sutures. I can't think of any reason not to have them both done at once, especially if you only have two and they adjacent.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
thanks for sharing ,perhaps the sinus thing is not as bad as I thought. Keep us updated on your progress anneh
Quote:
Originally Posted by AhnteeD
I had the first stage of 4 implants done recently and had to have bone grafts in my sinuses as well. I elected to have it all done at once. It took about 4 hours. I had local anesthesia---novacaine or whatever has replaced it. That is kind of a long time in the chair but I hate the needles so much and prefer to just have to deal with it once because if you use local, it takes a lot of shots and, as this was upper, those lovely ones that go up your nose and make your eyes tear. It was not painful at the time and I had meds for after the anesthesia wore off. Plan to eat soup and applesauce for two or three days. I go back soon to have the screws put in which requires more surgery and sutures. I can't think of any reason not to have them both done at once, especially if you only have two and they adjacent.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Hmm... i think that you should do it both at the same time it will save your time and energy too. Dental implant can be painful but hey its worth the pain.. It'll just take a little more time than having done only 1 but its worth the wait..
And you should try those useful dental hygiene products I'm sure they can help in your healing process.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Quote:
Originally Posted by John55
I lost two teeth on my low left side. My question is that what are the pros and cons to either have two implants at once or do one at a time. What are the considerations? Thanks in advance!
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Please do not consider dental implants at all! I have gotten a dental implant and my whole life turned upside down. I am suffering in pain and no one so far has been able to treat my pain. I went to dentist after dentist only to here the results I have to suffer this horrible pain and headaches for the rest of my life. Dentist will try to persuade you to get an implant but they don't tell you the risks. So here is the question " Would you rather have missing teeth or pain for the rest of your life?" There are too many nerve endings to get an implant in that sensitive area.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Quote:
Originally Posted by John55
I lost two teeth on my low left side. My question is that what are the pros and cons to either have two implants at once or do one at a time. What are the considerations? Thanks in advance!
Do not get the implant!! Please!!!! I got one and now I am suffering with pain and no dentist has been able to help me. It's common sense too many nerves up there. Dentist will try to convince you to get the implant but they are not telling you the risks.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Well it may depend on where the implant is placed - anterior or front implants tend to be easier than posterior ones primarily b/c of the issue of the exposure and location of nerves. A lot can depend on the dentist or surgeon as well. If you truly feel the implant is causing you the pain, and not the crown, bridge or denture it is supporting, then you should have it removed - although this requires another surgical procedure plus add'l cost and the normal risks any oral surgery brings, assuming a nerve has not been severed or damaged beyond repair, nerve endings sometime can repair and/or regenerate themselves given the right enviornment and assistance and this of course may then lessen your pain.
Re: dental implants - one tooth at a time or both at once?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sufferingpain
Please do not consider dental implants at all! I have gotten a dental implant and my whole life turned upside down. I am suffering in pain and no one so far has been able to treat my pain. I went to dentist after dentist only to here the results I have to suffer this horrible pain and headaches for the rest of my life. Dentist will try to persuade you to get an implant but they don't tell you the risks. So here is the question " Would you rather have missing teeth or pain for the rest of your life?" There are too many nerve endings to get an implant in that sensitive area.
In my case, an implant needs to be done for the tooth that has had root canal a long time ago, which means that they kill the nerves. That's probably why I don't feel any pain back there even though that tooth is cracked. I have a friend who had to have several implants (she was mugged) in different areas and she suffers no pain anywhere. I'm sorry you have to go through this. But if I did suffer pain, I would not live with it and would have the implant removed and do something else. Nooone should have to have pain for the rest of their lives.
anneh
