Howdy folks. I had two molars removed yesterday. The surgeon was talking about getting implants in the next 4 months.
Has anyone had implants? How was the surgical implant experience? How was the healing process? How did you make it after the implants heal?
Thank you.

Really glad to find that "implants" weren't about silicon bags.

^^^ I had the exact same thought when I saw the thread title.

I have three of them & will be getting two more. As far as the installation goes it wasn't painful to me. I just felt a little pressure. The ratchet wrench effect was a little unnerving the first time, but again, not painful. They're solid & better than any other option, IMO.

Are you getting mini-implants or regular?

I have 4 implants (regular), and will be getting 2 more. There is usually little or no pain involved. During procedures of course you're under a local (unless you opt for general anesthesia). Afterwards I only felt a small amount of discomfort for a few hours, easily relived with ibuprofen (some people do have more post-op pain and need stronger).

The real bad parts are the timeframe (my dentist believes in having several months healing periods between steps) which is a 2-year cycle, and of course the damn cost.

I LOVE my implant!

Spent a crap-ton of money trying to save a bad tooth. After the crown broke off the second time, I had the root removed and an implant done. The procedure is a huge nothing-burger, just time consuming and (on my budget at least) expensive. I've had more discomfort from a thorough cleaning.

I wish I could afford another one as I have a missing tooth on the other side.

Yeah this thread is anti-climactic. Maybe even clickbait.

I'm going through the process right now. The extractions have left me pretty sore 5 days after. The implants themselves aren't causing much pain but there is considerable bruising and swelling. Had the work done on Tuesday - Thursday was the roughest and now improving daily. I had 21 pain pills and I'm down to 4.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Yeah this thread is anti-climactic. Maybe even clickbait.

I was wondering: breast, pacemaker, arterial stent, insulin pump, penile prosthesis, knee/hip joints, Russian spies?

Descriptive titles are recommended.

I was thinking cochlear.

No pain except for the wallet. Usually takes about 4- 6 months to complete the procedure from the time of the extraction to the time the jaw is ready for the implant. One of the more pleasant dental procedures

I have three implants... only pain was the pocketbook.

Worth it!

I am getting three soon. I had a few root canals that caused me some pain and had to get them pulled. The worst thing is the wait time for healing and like others have said, the cost. I have had x2 screws done in the upper and in a few weeks, the lower will be done. Each one in my area is about $1699/tooth.

Damn, no pictures of before and after....

For most implants if possible beat the heck out of Bridge or something else. BUT - when in back upper of jaw, they need to confirm there is enough bone to make sure you don’t get a perforation into the sinus. If not enough, you can get a procedure to build it up and then get the implant.

You do not want a hole in your sinus cavity to the mouth - ask me how I know. I was borderline, didn’t work out got bad sinus infection and spent quite a bit of time of getting that sorted. Second molar from back upper, roots actually caused a bulge in the bone. Had to get the tooth out because found out years ago a surgeon broke off a file doing the root canal and the file was in my sinus causing some nerve issues and problems. So pulled tooth, let bone build in then tried to do implant. No good for me - have held off on doing anything else including a bridge then Covid hit...need to get something done early next year still not sure if will build up bone or do a bridge.

Ask the Dr., get educated but in general they are a better way to go if you can handle.

I have had one, fairly recently. I am very pleased with it. Been just over a year since finally installed. It’s a lengthy process, but I think it’s worth it. My oral surgeon was very good, and funny guy. My ins paid for most of it luckily, they just didn’t cover the bone graft that needed to be done. It was a tooth that had been crowned years before, and it finally snapped off too much of the original tooth to support a new crown.
Did not hurt, bled a bit the first procedure, but was fine by afternoon. Came back in a few months to check progress, and do the next step. No pain there either. After 6 months, I got the actual implant. Been great, if I have to replace any more will go this route again.

I have one implant. As others have said the time frame for healing takes awhile.

The dentist had a really neat small torque wrench that was used in the procedure.

Overall very satisfied with the results.

I had one done over the summer. The process was quick and painless. No soreness at all. Had a temp crown on for about 2 months, then the doctor placed the permanent crown on the implant and said it is stronger than the natural tooth and will last a lifetime. Very happy with it so far. I don't even notice it's there. Looks and functions like a natural tooth.

One thing I strongly recommend is to only use a surgeon who is a certified member of the American Board of Oral Implantology or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Preferably both. These are the two primary credentialing boards for the speciality.

They have rigorous training and experience criteria.

Every dentist and their cousin is doing implants these days, but most are garden variety cosmetic dentists or prosthedontists who have taken only a short weekend course or similar basic training in implants. That is definitely not what you want when dealing with a complicated issue like osseointegration and implant placement. I'd also want to know about the type of sedation to be used and who is doing it.

quote:

Originally posted by Karpteach:
Howdy folks. I had two molars removed yesterday. The surgeon was talking about getting implants in the next 4 months.
Has anyone had implants? How was the surgical implant experience? How was the healing process? How did you make it after the implants heal?
Thank you.

Get a written estimate of the cost. I had to have open heart surgery so had to have a couple of "suspicious" molars replaced. In hindsight I should have really questioned and demanded a written statement of the need. Because the oral surgeon commented he didn't see any need for the removal. Anyhow at the time of the extraction the oral estimate for implants was 2000 dollars a tooth. When I went in to actually get the work done the new estimate was 6000 dollars a tooth because I needed bone grafts.

Perhaps I am the wuss in the crowd. I had two implants at the rear of my lower jaw. I found the procedure to be very stressful and tedious. It wasn't pain, just the time, position, noise, and thoughts of what was happening. Following the tooth extraction, my dentist waited about six months for the jaw bone to fully heal before starting the implant. After the anchors were screwed in, he waited another several months for the jaw bone to knit to the anchors. So the entire process took about one year. The end result is good, however. YMMV.