Dental Implants?

I have two teeth in the roof of my mouth. I had surgery to pull them down four years ago, with the intent of moving them into their rightful place (not the teeth directly next to my front teeth, but the next ones over). Well, it's been four years and it hasn't worked, and I am really sick of having two teeth in the roof of my mouth and two giant gaps where teeth should be. Plus, the roof of my mouth really, really hurts- I can't really eat hot/cold foods and it affects my ability to talk.


So my ortho recommended implants. My dentists disagrees- thinks we should do everything possible to save the teeth. I want implants. I have had braces for 8 years, and enough is enough!





So all I know is that they are screws that go into the bone. Does the procedure hurt? I heard they are extremely expensive and I don't know if my family can afford that- is there any way to do it for less money? Do they look real? Are there generally problems after? Any info would be great!

Dental Implants?
If the ortho is giving up, then your dentist is being optimistic. Go and investigate implants.


My daughter is congenitally missing 4 teeth - 2 lateral incisors (just in front of the canines), and 2 lower 2nd premolars. Also had other skeletal problems. She has just finished 6 years of ortho at age 21, and had 2 implants placed for missing laterals. She's so happy.


I would suggest you ask for a referral to either a periodontist (gum specialist) or prosthodontist (crown specialist). There are a number of good systems out on the market - Nobel, Straumann (my favourite), 3i ... Often the periodontist is used to 2 or 3 different systems, and will suggest what is best for you. General dentists can place the crowns if you like and they are used to it.


Be wary of general dentists who think they can place implants - there are a few "cowboys" out there, and I know of a number of legal cases pending here in Australia. Safer with a specialist.
Reply:KRISTEN,





I FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION WITH THIS WHOLE PROCESS.


MY ADVISE IS THAT YOU FIND A REPUTABLE PROSTHODONTIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN RESTORING SMILES WITH IMPLANTS. YOU CAN GET A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF THIS IS BEST FOR YOU.


THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG. USUALLY IT TAKES SEVERAL MONTHS TO GUIDE THE "MISSING" TEETH TO BE GUIDED TO PROPER POSITION, AND THE WAITING THROUGH THE PROCESS IS THE HARDEST THING TO DO. TRUST THE ORTHO'S JUDGMENT ON THIS ONE.
Reply:Implants suggested looks the right solution. NobelGuide is one of the finest offering from Nobel Biocare. It may cost around $1600 per tooth including ceramic crown, cheap implant dentistry in India.