ann m

Not really a Canada-specific question - just throwing this out for some opinions...

I had the misfortune to break a tooth last week, and the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be taken out at some point in the near future. It'll muddle by for a few weeks or months probably. The dentist offered a couple of options (apart from doing nothing and leaving a big gap which he did not recommend for various reasons) - which were to go with a bridge or an implant.

Firstly, and most importantly - I don't "do" dentists. I really don't. I have had alot of treatment and root canal work done, etc, in my mid 20's - the last proper work to be honest and I had one tooth removed when I was a teen - under gas - and I think that experience has turned me into the over-whelming 'tears rolling down my face in fear' wuss that I am today.

Who has gone the 'sedation' route - did it work ?

Secondly - my dentist suggested an implant would last longer (and me being so young and all, bless him), I should seriously consider it. Anyone had an implant - any observations? Anyone got a bridge? Any comments. And you are still bearing in your mind that I don't like the chair, right?

Finally - the costs - which are terrifying! A bridge might come in at around $2k-$3k. For an implant, I could be looking at $4k-$5k. Holy S**t !

I will be getting a code from the dentists on Monday to give to my health insurance people to see what, if anything, they will cover under my plan. I was miffed to discover I cannot spend my $1200 annual allowance on anything I wish and that each 'big' procedure ought to be pre-authorised.

So - costs aside - anyone with experience of a bridge or implant? And please be kind and measured in your response.

Steve_P

So what happens if you have the tooth removed and don't replace it?

Is it going to be visible?

fledermaus

Hi Ann

I am a dental wuss to but my dentist here has been brilliant. I gibber and cry, was offered the nitrous as sedation but didnt need it in the end as they were so nice. There was no pain at all for anything.

I havent had a crown or bridge or anything before and need a crown or implant. Bizarrely my insurance will pay for an implant but not a crown!!

So your insurance may decide for you!

will be thinking of you.

ann m

It will leave a big gap - 'cos the one that was removed previously was next door! It is near the back so not immediately visible - but with my infant choral career in it's third week, I might be self conscious when hitting my notes

On a serious note (boom boom) the dentist advised there could be a lot of movement by other teeth trying to muscle in on all that vacant space.

ann m

Thank you

It was the point where he mentioned my oddly-shaped roots and the fact that I would need to be referred to a specialist for the extraction, that my visions of a dentist with one foot on the side of the chair yanking on my stubborn molar came into focus. It did not fill me with joy and happiness.

fledermaus

If said specialist is in a hospital then your healthcare might cover it!

Flossie and Jim

Sedation is great!

I was desperate to get one of my wisdom teeth out and had to wait for hospital cos of nerve endings being too close and stuff. The wait was too long so the quicker alternative was that i was referred to a clinic where they took it out under sedation.

Small prick in hand, remembered very little (did recall a bit of pushing and pulling and hearing the crack of a tooth breaking) but no pain at all. Afterwards apparently I talked non stop all the way home.....it was a bit like being a bit tiddly after a few glasses of wine. I think that under sedation you are still 'awake' in that you can respond to commands and stuff but you recall very little afterwards.

Good luck!

P.S. Can you recommend a dentist at all here? Need the pearlies looked at soon as its been a year.

BristolUK

I had a choice between an implant or a bridge in Montreal. And I don't mean Jacques Cartier

The dentist told me the cost was around $2,400 for either option.

It was in the front on top. I was already whistling when speaking so a gap couldn't be left.

I wasn't put off by the implant treatment that was needed so much as the need for several visits over a prolonged period. Several months as I recall.

Had I been in my 20s and not approaching 50 I may have gone for the implant.

The bridge involved one treatment session and a temporary cover followed by the permanent fitting on a further visit. Much like having a crown fitted.

I reckon it was 2 or 3 weeks before I felt really confident about chewing properly.

Alberta_Rose

Hey, what's that??? Are you singing? (serious question!)

Butch Cassidy

Is he a hairdressed on the side?

ann m

Oh - he probably saw those oddly coloured roots too - with my natural 'steel' highlights. Just haven't had time to go to the hairdressers - and after a few more visits to the dentist, I probably won't be able to afford to go to the hairdressers

I shall be a toothless wonder, having a bad hair day

jempee

A dentist broke my mums jaw while trying to extract a tooth! due to oddly-shaped roots he said......

I have been in need of a dentist for weeks but been to scared to go..... need a tooth taken out that was meant to come out before we emigrated.....erm, that was 2 years ago! It now has a steady throb going on, have some eye pain aswell along with some pins and needles type feeling on my face.......great.....

fledermaus

Does anyone recall, several thread ago when I commented on unhelpful tales about doctors, procedures etc?

I think the same applies to dentists.

You will be fine Ann, just tell them up front you are scared and they look after you.

willmore

First, Im scared to death of the dentist. He literally has to hold me done when I go to him to get work done and the funny thing is - its just the needles for me.

I have several bridges and a few crowns that there needed to be done because I had many secondary teeth missing. Some of my bridge work is over 10 years old and still in excellent shape, despite me chewing gum and eating toffee. They take an impression of your mouth first, then once the impression is returned from the lab, the dentist can work on you, and give you a temporary crown or bridge until the final one is ready. At least thats the way it worked for me.

Ill be thinking of you.....karma sent.

MrsDV

Hi Ann m,

I have two implants. I had to have two teeth removed a couple of years ago (won't bore you with the tale as to why!), I was also given a choice of implants or bridge and opted for the implants as it seemed more hassle free option for the long term.

To put this in perspective, I really don't like going to the dentist and had to do this in S Korea with a dentist who barely spoke English.

If you go ahead with the implants be prepared for a fairly long drawn out process. I think from start to finish the whole process took about eight months for me - with a lot of activity at the start and finish and not much in between.

Firstly the teeth were removed and metal implants ('rawl plug' type things) were inserted into the bone and the gum stitched (for me this was done in one sitting). After this I looked like I'd been in a major fight for about a week - pain killers and antibiotics were also necessary for the first few days. After six or seven months, when they were happy the implants were properly bonded to the bone, metal posts were screwed into the implants (I think this time very much depends on individual circumstances). A few weeks after this they were able to do the impressions for the crowns, which were later fitted to the posts.

I'd say the initial session and first week were pretty horrible (mainly due to fear in the first instance and vanity in the second) but after that it was fine - not something I'd rush to do again but I'm happy with the results and I've had no problems since.

I wasn't sedated for any part (wasn't given that option!), just local anaesthetic when the implants and posts went in - I really don't like the dentist and was really, really scared at first but honestly it was fine.

I think the implant option means more major work 'up-front' but when it's finished that's the end of it, I don't think this is the case for a bridge.

From what I've seen of the dentists here (my son's having some orthodontics done) if I had to do it again, I'd be happy going through the process here.

With regard to the cost quoted, that sounds about right unfortunately - seems to be fairly universal!

Good luck whatever you decide, I know it's a horrible thing to even think about. Hope I haven't terrified you with the details

MrsDV