Dental Implants ?

[SHORAN]

Hello
If any of you have had dentistry work involving bone grafting, tissue grafting and finally implants.
Could you share any tips and what to expect - I'd really apprecate it.

I am a T1.
My my crowned front tooth is falling out due to bone disease /periodontitis.
I have been advised generally it's two teeth that need pulling out on account of the bone disease .The central (front) crowned tooth and the tooth next to it. ( esp if implantation is to be done, I could possibly get away with just having a single denture though )

1) I could keep it simple and get two extractions done and dentures fitted for a small fee or free on the NHS.
Do they look ok though or rubbish ? ... uncomfortable ? ... wobbly ?


Any comments / ideas ?
Best,
Shoran

Edited by mods to remove AI generated text

 

[Nicola M]

I haven't had any of the above done so can't comment on how painful it would actually be, however, my mum had dentures due to losing a few teeth on the top row, initially they said she could have the whole implants etc but due to her bones being too weak/the structure she wasn't able to have them so she opted for removable dentures instead. She's had them for maybe around 5 years now? They look just like regular teeth, it may vary where you get them done but they colour the teeth to be as an exact of a match to your current teeth as possible and if you should lose more teeth they'll add teeth onto the dentures to fill any gaps (my mum has had 2 extra teeth added since she originally got her dentures).

Initially I remember she could always feel the dentures and her speech was slightly altered (somewhat like what I remember it being like when I got retainers) but over time she has gotten used to the feeling and her speech is normal. It's all down to personal preference I suppose and cost would also be a factor in regards to what you get done. And if it helps any my mum can still eat everything you could possibly think of with dentures without issues, e.g. apples, popcorn etc. I think dentures have come a long way since they were first introduced and look/feel much like a real set of teeth would do.

 

[SHORAN]

Fantastic info Nicola.

Yes I am tempted to see how dentures go - they may look ok , may feel ok.
If not great I could go about getting some implants ..... ( it's this bone grafting and all that that kind of puts me off... plus of course the exorbitant cost )

Thanks,
Shoran.

 

[ElenaP]

First, How good is your current dentist? Have you been going to him/her long enough to totally trust his/her opinion? If 'yes' just listen to the professional opinion.

Secondly, Type 1 diabetics take longer to heal than non-diabetics, even with well-controlled HbA1c.

Thirdly, I know some people with partial dentures, and those can be very successful. Partial denture may be worth considering.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Ushthetaff]

I’ve got a “rugby payers” mouth , I’ve lost all but 6 of my teeth.i decided to go for dentures. I actually go to the dental technician and he does them for me at a discount. Might be a way to save a bight of cash at the end of the day they are the ones who make the teeth for your dentist anyways just cutting out the middle man . My experience with falsys is dont go for the Hollywood smile or you end up looking like Shergar with your teeth coming in the room 10 seconds before you do .getting the right colour shade is everything .

 

[Antje77]

Secondly, Type 1 diabetics take longer to heal than non-diabetics, even with well-controlled HbA1c.

Why would we take longer to heal with healthy numbers?
In my experience, I heal just fine (which tells us exactly nothing at n=1), but I thought delayed wound healing was due to high BG, not to 'having T1', which amounts to the immune system attacking insulin producing cells, not wounds.

 

[SHORAN]

Thanks Elena, Ush, and Antje

My own dentist - she's been great, I don't think she'd be doing the implants herself though.( I'll ask next time I go in , though shes on maternity leave )
Mind you I think she loves inflicting pain - when I've had have a good cleaning session ! ( plenty of scraping, pain, white knuckles.... and bleeding gums for it ! )

I'm just weighing up the options because I have terrible teeth - they have gone a bit yellow and the crowned tooth is well whiter and dropping down so I look like bit like a one toothed bugs bunny ( without the floppy ears )....

I certainly don't want the "glowing - too white" teeth of course. I can't stand it.

As for my levels, controlled- yes to an extent . I do my best, it's probably not "great ".... but it could be worse !

What are partial dentures ? ( is this one or two dentures rather than the whole lot ? )

Over n out,

Shoran .

 

[Ushthetaff]

Thanks Elena, Ush, and Antje

My own dentist - she's been great, I don't think she'd be doing the implants herself though.( I'll ask next time I go in , though shes on maternity leave )
Mind you I think she loves inflicting pain - when I've had have a good cleaning session ! ( plenty of scraping, pain, white knuckles.... and bleeding gums for it ! )

I'm just weighing up the options because I have terrible teeth - they have gone a bit yellow and the crowned tooth is well whiter and dropping down so I look like bit like a one toothed bugs bunny ( without the floppy ears )....

I certainly don't want the "glowing - too white" teeth of course. I can't stand it.

As for my levels, controlled- yes to an extent . I do my best, it's probably not "great ".... but it could be worse !

What are partial dentures ? ( is this one or two dentures rather than the whole lot ? )

Over n out,

Shoran .

Yes partial dentures are a plate with dentures on them , normally you star of with one initiallly then as and when you owe more teef you add another tooth to the plate as you lose more teeth .

 

[SHORAN]

Ah ! Thanks

 

[ElenaP]

Why would we take longer to heal with healthy numbers?
In my experience, I heal just fine (which tells us exactly nothing at n=1), but I thought delayed wound healing was due to high BG, not to 'having T1', which amounts to the immune system attacking insulin producing cells, not wounds.

I should have worded my message better, and also put "healthy" in inverted commas. I do not mean "healthy" as with non-diabetics. What I meant was numbers that my hospital diabetes team consider good. My team are telling me that my readings are "healthy" (although nowhere as good as I would like).
With me any cuts, or scars from minor procedures, take ages to heal. For instance, I had a heart monitor implanted last year May. It never healed properly. At the end of November, there was such a bad infection that puss was leaking from the scar that had been made in May. After antibiotics for six weeks, a cardiologist cut the monitor out. While cutting into the breast, he was saying that he had to remove lots of the muscle tissue because the infection had killed it. But that may be just my body.

 

[grantg]

have you considered a bridge as a solution? I have a bridge which has lasted me 17 years so far and counting spanning. Its less expensive than implants and a little more than dentures. Bridge work can be done on the nhs. healing time would be a lot shorter than implants and may suit better.

dentists have a choice of injections that they can use to numb you up. i had issues with the 'diabetic friendly' not numbing for enough time. with non diabetic dentists tend to use something which can raise your sugars for a bit can't remember whats its called adrenelin / lidocaine and and other thing which makes effect last longer and starts numbing more quickly. difference between both injections.. was numb for less than an hour at my last appt using the other type of jag. the time prior before the dentist knew was diabetic was numb for hours.

you will be given a choice of colour for whatever treatment option you decide, imo i'd let the dentist pick it for you

best of luck hope goes nice and smooth for you.

 

[Lupf]

I have recently had put in two implants, one lower molar on each side. On one side the tooth had to be removed 20 years ago and I lived with a hole. When on the other side the same molar finally broke and had to be extracted, I was running out of chewing area. I needed to wait for the bone and gums to recover and then decided for two implants. I have a bridge in the front (sports injury) and did not want to sacrifice any of the good teeth left for a bridge. Implants are much better quality nowadays. I am happy to be able to chew normally again and I am confident the titanium screw/titanium oxide implant will last for the duration.

Things to consider: you need to discuss with your dentist, if implants are suitable. If you are not convinced by the advice, get a 2nd opinion. Unfortunately implants are expensive, in the UK you might save some of the costs by shopping around, but as usual beware. If it looks too much of a bargain, it should be avoided. Afaik, the NHS does not pay for dental implants. In other countries, costs could be very different.

 

[SHORAN]

Grantg, A bridge ? - that's interesting, I'll ask my dentist about that option thank you. (I just left her this am after a clean - I should have checked this forum and I'd have asked her about it this am )

Lupf- yes I will tred carefully if I go to foreign lands and I'll look into UK prices etc , research etc. Thanks for your tips.

Shoran

 

[Melgar]

Grantg, A bridge ? - that's interesting, I'll ask my dentist about that option thank you. (I just left her this am after a clean - I should have checked this forum and I'd have asked her about it this am )

Lupf- yes I will tred carefully if I go to foreign lands and I'll look into UK prices etc , research etc. Thanks for your tips.

Shoran

I badly chipped my front tooth playing when I was a kid. After various fixes I ended up having a crown. This crown lasted me around 40 years. About 7 years ago it became wobbly and then dropped out. I was thinking about getting an implant, at great expense, however my brother in law suggested I get a bridge. I researched it and it seemed it was temporary. However, my brother in law told me his bridge has lasted for decades, I think over 30 years with no problems at all. So I opted for the bridge at a fraction of the cost of an implant. I am very pleased I did. I have had no problems with it. You would not know it was not my own tooth. I actually had it done while visiting the UK.

The bridge involves attaching false tooth to the tooth next to it. It sounds weird, but it works very well. It doesn't feel odd in your mouth either. It just seems like a natural tooth. I think it cost me around £400 in 2018. Better than £5000 for an implant.

 

[oldgreymare]

I should have worded my message better, and also put "healthy" in inverted commas. I do not mean "healthy" as with non-diabetics. What I meant was numbers that my hospital diabetes team consider good. My team are telling me that my readings are "healthy" (although nowhere as good as I would like).
With me any cuts, or scars from minor procedures, take ages to heal. For instance, I had a heart monitor implanted last year May. It never healed properly. At the end of November, there was such a bad infection that puss was leaking from the scar that had been made in May. After antibiotics for six weeks, a cardiologist cut the monitor out. While cutting into the breast, he was saying that he had to remove lots of the muscle tissue because the infection had killed it. But that may be just my body.

Hopefully not too off topic, but earlier this year I had some much wished for elective surgery. My HbAc1 was reasonable for a T1 (44 mmol) but certainly not in non D territory. In spite of being in my late 60's, T1 and with a healthy white wine habit, my surgeon professed himself very happy with my healing at 6 weeks and signed me off for intensive exercise. Definitely a near as normal HbAC1should always be better for healing, but general health, stress and nutrition factors are also big contributors. On the subject of teeth, I've had a number of root canals, but so far no extractions and my dentist has advised that implants can be challenging for diabetics.

 

[Ryhia]

I was told by my dentist not to consider implants as I had (have) periodontal disease. I do try very hard to look after my teeth, however I know my teeth are my weakness and it is a constant battle to keep my gums healthy. They are fine at the moment but it just needs a cold or something for me to struggle. What the dentist said was that if I had implants and then had a flare up of periodontal disease the disease could possibly eat into my jaw bone around the implants - I was told the consequences would not be good.

 

[SHORAN]

Interesting comments there - all very useful. Thank you all of you.


It sounds like a bridge is the way to go !
I'll ask the Croatian dentist what he thinks of that - mind you, if he's an implant specialist he may be snooty to that idea ( not as much money in it for him !) .... or of course if it's perfectly affordable here in the UK I'll get it done here.

Quite like the idea of visiting Croatia though !... never had the pleasure.....

Over n out,

Shoran,

 

[Antje77]

.... or of course if it's perfectly affordable here in the UK I'll get it done here.

Quite like the idea of visiting Croatia though !... never had the pleasure.....

If you get it done in the UK you can still visit Croatia with the money saved by choosing a bridge instead of implants.
And the visit will likely be a lot more pleasant without a sore mouth from the dental work!

 

[marianhf]

I was told by my dentist not to consider implants as I had (have) periodontal disease. I do try very hard to look after my teeth, however I know my teeth are my weakness and it is a constant battle to keep my gums healthy. They are fine at the moment but it just needs a cold or something for me to struggle. What the dentist said was that if I had implants and then had a flare up of periodontal disease the disease could possibly eat into my jaw bone around the implants - I was told the consequences would not be good.

I was given similar advice from my dentist when I asked about implants. I took his advice and will soon be getting retained dentures. It's taken some time and I had to accept that the "all in one day" approach was not an option. I had all my teeth out just over a year ago and had a temporary set of teeth since. I go back next month for the next procedure and hope to get the final dentures by the autumn. (When he put in the "posts" he found that my upper jaw was softer than he liked and I had to wait until he was sure the posts had been fully integrated).