I have an implant. I hate, hate, hate, dental procedures. I had a ride to and from the oral surgeon for the extraction so I could take valium. I had a bone graft done when they did the extraction so I had a temporary in for a few months before they placed the implant. The whole thing -extraction to crown- was around 4 or 5 months but the implant and crown are working fine and I have not had any issues.

I needed the implant because an old filling cracked when I was eating and split the root of the tooth.

My DH had it done. On a positive note, now is not such a bad time of year to find out about this, if, as is typical, you are going to go through health care elections. You can get estimates from the oral surgeon and your dentist and use those to plan your FSA contributions. This way you can cover the Out or Pocket via pretax dollars.

My DH was most concerned about the period between the insertion of the implant and the placement of the crown. He was very worried about his appearance with clients in presentations, I think controlled his work schedule accordingly.

He had no complications or issues, he had some post procedure pain, and took the prescribed pain killers for day, maybe a day and a half.

I did and it was easy enough, although pricey. First they put in the implant. It looks like a screw. I was totally numb, didn't feel a thing and practically fell asleep during the procedure. They cover the part of the implant that sticks up with a temporary crown and then you wait a few months whil the bone grows around the implant and it becomes sturdy. Next they fitted the crown and finally attached it to the implant. The only problem I ran into was the crown began to wiggle after awhile so they had to replace it. I had to pay for two crowns, although they gave me a discount for the second one. I was annoyed about that since I felt it was their fault that it wasn't right the first time. Dental nsurance paid for some and I planned ahead by putting as much as I could into my FSA to cover it.

Since then the tooth has been sturdy as a rock and I can barely tell it is not a natural tooth. Mine is a lower molar.

Chances are you will be very pleased with the outcome but not the bill! Implants are a hundred times better than bridges, and they don't have to destroy the teeth on either side to get it in place.

I've had wisdom teeth extracted and had a gum graft, but both procedures were a number of years ago and I remember being all worked up about both of them and neither was as bad as I envisioned. I'm not feeling nervous about the extraction/implant procedure so much as I just really wish I didn't have to pay for dental work right now. I am fortunate to have insurance, but even with coverage it's going to probably be close to $2k. For one crummy tooth. ::sigh:: Still - I intend to follow my dentist's recommendations, because having a healthy mouth is very important to me.

This is a good time of year to be looking at this - that's true. However, I don't have an FSA and will have to find out about establishing one. Our plan open enrollment is this month, so I really need to find out about that.

Thanks for the input and for sharing your/your DH's experience.

Thanks, dedtired. I really don't want to be knocked completely out for the procedure (to me, that's the worst part - I hate general anesthesia), but sounds like you were in sort of a twilight sleep? The way you describe it, it doesn't sound bad at all! I would've been annoyed at having to pay for two crowns too, because yeah - you kinda expect them to get it right the first time!

I had one done quite a few years ago and it was not bad at all...I was not put "out" completely - I don't quite remember the logistics, but think someone had to drive me home, maybe? I want to say I just had novocaine and drove myself home, but really can't remember.

The good news for me is it's the favorite tooth in my mouth! I love how strong it feels when biting things. I know if something happened and I had to have more, I wouldn't hesitate, however, I think my guy has retired and so hopefully I'd find someone as good. And you do, too. Be sure to do your research on your surgeon and make sure s/he is an implant specialist.

Thanks, Oly. Pretty cool that the implant is now your favorite tooth! LOL! Good advice on researching the surgeon, which is what I've just started doing. So far I'm reading lots of good stuff on this guy. I've trusted my dentist for 23 years (just love her), and I know she would only provide a referral to a top-notch specialist. So far it does sound like this is the guy I'll want to see. I know there are places where I could get work done at a slightly lower cost, but like I said, I trust my dentist implicitly so will in all likelihood follow her advice.

I'm part of the way through the process. I was hoping to save the tooth with a root canal and a crown, but before I could get into the endodontist, the tooth (molar) split almost completely in two, and he said it couldn't be saved. My father is a periodontist, and he took care of the extraction and will do the implant. I had to wait several months for the bone to heal and am planing to get it done soon.

The the implant will be put in under heavy sedation, so my DH will drive me. I'll have to wait a few months for the bone to heal again before another dentist takes care of the crown.

Good luck! I hope your procedures go well!

Thanks, porkandham! I hope the process continues to go smoothly for you as well. It's nice that your father is able to do the work for you! Is the heavy sedation your choice, or is there a reason that it must be done this way?

Just novocaine for me, but since I could not feel anything and frankly was bored, I nearly fell asleep. I also drove myself there and back, no problems. I think mine was $4K, so if yours is $2K, you are doing well. I would have to check and see if I have the price right, but it was more than $2K.

I have 2 extractions with grafting and implants. Totally happy with the sedation dentistry experience. Pills + nitrous made the procedure easy peasy.

Be sure to ask for pain pills for after, because it could be painful for a few days.

I think sedation is the norm for most of his surgical procedures, but even if it wasn't, it would certainly be my choice. I have a very strong gag reflex and couldn't get through it otherwise.

I'm so glad he is still practicing. He's extremely good at what he does, I trust him completely, and he's free! I will have to pay the crown portion, though.

DH had one done a few years ago, a somewhat similar scenario to a couple above...fractured a tooth root that was already supporting a crown and there wasn't a good way to save it. He had the post put in, no big deal at all and with a local anesthetic/shot. It seems like he went before work (typically he will make his dentists appointments at 6 AM! or no later than 7 AM) I don't remember him complaining about any after pain and if there had been anything significant, I'd have heard about it. Men, you know ;0) He had a temporary for a period of time....I know it was at least 4 months, possibly 6? Then the permanent tooth attached. The procedure was a breeze, little bit of inconvenience of course, and then there was the expense...this took place during a period when we had no dental insurance. He didn't realize the price he was quoted was for the implanted post, was surprised when billed for the final restoration...the tooth ;0) I didn't keep the appointments with him so I don't know how the misunderstanding took place, but all water under the bridge now. And I can't tell by looking which tooth it is, he's pleased with the outcome.

A little over a year ago I had oral surgery to remove tori, excess bone that grows in your mouth. Mine was behind my lower teeth and was HUGE. I had it removed, which meant cutting the gums, removing the bone, and sewing me back up. Sounds like a nightmare, right? It could not have been easier and less painful. I got an IV. Next thing I know, it's all over, I'm in another room and my friend is there to drive me home. I took a bit of pain meds just because I could and healed nicely.

I'm for taking the easy way. All you need is a ride to and from.

How timely! This morning with out warning as I was chewing my breakfast I felt a big crunch and suddenly I had some very hard pieces of something in my mouth. Definitely not what I was eating. I spit it out to find 2 very large chunks of tooth.. I felt my very back lower molar and the entire back and side was gone. Just a very sharp pointed section of the inner side of the tooth remains.

So I will be researching my options . It does not hurt at all , it feels very strange and it's sharp . Glad I am not in pain . I'm pretty sure I had a metal filling in that tooth since I was a child so I don't know if it's still there or not . This is not a good time for us at all . We are trying to get our house repaired from the flood it's costing a lot of money and we didn't get enough from insurance of course . It's just never ending .

Raven, when my tooth broke I had to buy some tooth putty to keep the jagged edge from cutting my tongue. I was miserable!

Ida, have you considered getting a bridge? They're half the price but won't last as long as an implant. Before my family practitioner passed away he told me not to get implants, and for the life of me I can't remember why.

Get anesthesia. When I went into the room there was a nice chair for me to sit in, & I couldn't see any dental tools. The nurses gave me an IV, I fell asleep, and I awoke back in the same chair. I loved it! lol.

I had to have surgery because my regular dentist took an hour pulling the tooth and finally admitted there was a chunk he couldn't get out so it had to be cut out by an oral surgeon. My dentist did the bridge a few months later when all was healed. Easy peasy, and much cheaper too.

I had two done --- at once! It was super expensive and took a lot of time (extraction, heal, post insert, heal, crown). All was done with local anesthesia. The worse part is the extraction as they are yanking on your face. In the end, it is worth it to have functioning teeth and no bridges. You will end up with a bit of maintenance that you should be doing anyways (very thorough flossing to the gumline).

The yanking part is when they stepped on the gas for me!

Ravencajun, my endodontic experience was amazing....They had asked if I was worried about the procedure, and I said no, but then 2 patients were picked up by rides, staggering, and I began to worry.

Then I went in, and was done before I knew it!. What I do not understand is why insurance covered most of the endo, but almost NONE of the crown....as if you had a choice to do the crown!

Raven, I hope your work is progressing again. I have a guy up here who I highly recommend. I had a tooth break just after my dad passed -- may have been the day after. I was mortified. My dentist said there was no saving it and sent me to the same guy who did my sons' wisdom teeth. He only does sedation though -- you aren't completely out but you won't remember it. I know he won't be the closest one to you or the cheapest you can find, but if you want a no-reservations referral, I can give you his info.

I would suggest talking with your dentist -- they can do some implants and refer you to others. If you really like your dentisst, you will probably like anyone he refers you to. But I would also ask your dentist and anyone you get proposals from about timing. There are steps and you may not need (or be able to) rush through things. If you need a bone graft, you need to wait 4-6 months for the graft to heal and become integrated before they do the implant. I paid for each step as I went. I've seen ads on TV or all in one day approaches (after I was in the middle of mine). My doc says some are okay, but some are not and they don't generally last as long. My feeling is that this is not something I care to have to have redone.

I had two implants 8 years ago, and will be having two more done. The first time I didn't know what to anticipate, but this time i'm definitely not as nervous. If bone grafts need to be done, it's a longer procedure, since you need to wait for the bone to graft. As for the monetary amout, $2k is nothing, especially if it's a highly reputable specialized dentist. Think of it as making a "purchase" which will last the rest of your life. ;)

I've had 2 jaws metal braces for 2 years, gum rebuilding procedure twice and finally braces off and a bridge and a few crowns. Long process but it was worth it. It wasn't all that bad. Have you considered treatment abroad to cut the costs?

Dental Implants Friends

Raven, possibly yours may just need a crown. I have broken a couple of teeth with larger fillings and that's all mine required - crowns. That was several years ago and no further problems. The roots were not affected - I think that's the key.

Ida, I've never had an implant and hope I never have too. I know they are what most dentists/specialists recommend now days over a bridge. Those I know who have had them done - some have had problems, some haven't. I think the bone grafting is often the problem area. I know they give sedation, but you are not totally under. I hear you - that is something I would worry about. I don't like that stuff, nor do I like pain pills, etc.

Spring, we don't have dental insurance, but sometimes endo and oral surgery are covered on medical insurance.

Thanks so much for all of your input. I feel much more at ease than I did yesterday, and have just decided that this will be what it will be. I intend to go through with the extraction and implant/crown, but as I said I'm going to plan to put it off until the start of next year. When my dentist re-affixed my old crown yesterday (her hygienist had put it on temporarily while she was on vacation -- just my luck my crown pops off while my dentist is in Italy), she said that it could hold for another year or longer - or it might not. I'm not going to get too fussed about all of this anymore. The worst part will be paying for it, but I am thankful for pretty good dental insurance.

I've heard of people traveling to other countries for dental work, and know a few who have successfully had work done in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. I would not do that, though. I want to have any procedures done close to home, even if it costs more than in other areas. Too, I don't believe my insurance would cover procedures done outside the US.

My understanding is that dental implants are far, far superior to dental bridges. A dental bridge requires the degradation of perfectly healthy teeth on either side, and that's not a good thing. Implants cost more, but there's a reason for that.

Raven - I agree with Tina, in that you may just need a crown if there's enough of the broken tooth remaining.

Thanks again for all who have shared. It's very helpful.

I was just in an accident, and have been working at rebuilding my smashed mouth for the last six months. I was really hoping to do an implant for the one front tooth that had to be removed, but because of the damage to the bone plate and surrounding teeth, I ended up with a permanent bridge.

The oral surgeon did a fabulous job extracting the tooth with just nitrous. I'm the biggest baby in the world, and it was a difficult extraction because the tooth was broken up in the bone plate, but I did not feel a thing!

I've had five teeth repaired, two more to go, then we get to work on making them straight again. With insurance, I'm already in for $8K. I guess I should count myself lucky I couldn't get the implant :o

Wow, Errant - I'm so sorry for all you've been going through! What an ordeal. I know you'll be happy when it's all behind you, and hope that won't be too terribly much longer.

IdaClaire, I am in the dental profession and want assure you that implants are the "standard of care" now, meaning that if a single tooth needs to be replaced it might be your best option. I work at a dental school in Boston 2 days/week, where we see patients who travel many miles for the discounted fee at a dental school. However, since you have a dentist you trust and you also trust her judgement in referring you to a good oral surgeon, you can go forward with confidence. You are correct in that implants are a good option vs. bridge when "virgin" teeth are involved.

Re: Springroz's comment on the cost " What I do not understand is why insurance covered most of the endo, but almost NONE of the crown....as if you had a choice to do the crown!" Your insurance company will pay up to the maximum allowed per calendar year. That is it. So if you had endodontic treatment on a tooth or teeth you may have used all your benefits for the year. Therefore the crown would not be covered in full.

Anyone with dental insurance can request that a pre-treatment estimate of all costs be sent to the insurance company before beginning treatment. The ins.co will send you a determination of benefits. This way, you know up front what the ins.co. will cover and what you will have to pay out of pocket.

If you want to maximize you benefits, you may be able to have the implant done now and the crown done in January or later.

Thanks so much for your help everyone. My root is still very solid the tooth is not wiggling in the least. The broken area is all on one side. It's not hurting at all even cold stuff doesn't hurt so I assume no nerves are exposed. It may be that I can just get a crown. I had never heard of the putty! I have to wait for the appointment of course. I am thankful I am not in pain. Lascatx, thanks so much! I have not forgotten about you! My neighbor recently had work done and she gave me the information on her dentist she was very happy with him.

I havent forgotten about you either, but things keep happening here. We will find tie to take care fo that -- take care of you.

All this makes me very thankful for our dentists (we go to a husband/wife team). They would work me in if I had a broken tooth. Hope you don't have to wait long ravencajun!

Raven-The same thing happened to DH recently. Luckily, he just had to have a crown. He has the temporary one now until the permanent one is ready.

I guess as we age another thing that starts to break is our teeth!

I have an appointment for next Tuesday was the earliest I could get . I am hopeful that I will be able to get just a crown . Right now we just don't need the extra expenses . I am praying it does not start to hurt . So far it's not .

I remember cooking steaks and corn on the cob for my dad -- pretty sure it was Father's Day and we made all his favorites. He bit into the corn and a tooth broke. I was mortified. I never wanted to have anything like that happen to me. Then the day after he passed -- it did. Think he blamed me much? ;)

Raven, glad you have an appt -- hope it stays pain free for you.