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Any Port in a Storm :: Warehouse District and Beyond :: Free Clinic :: Implant or Bridge?
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AuthorTopic: Implant or Bridge? (Read 3,216 times)
spindrift
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Implant or Bridge?
« Thread Started on Jul 3, 2009, 10:45am »		[Quote]
I will soon have to make up my mind whether to have one tooth implanted or a complicated bridge. It would be complicated because the bridge would have to span two teeth (one one side) leaving it unattached on the other side.

This situation came about because I broke a top incisor tooth a couple of years ago. It's a long story but my dentist attempted a root filling and by mistake drilled through into the facial maxilla which left the area infected for nearly a year, the dentist denying anything was wrong until during a visit to his hygienist the tooth fell out and nearly went down my throat. He then sent me to speciliast dentists to try and put right the damage he caused. This entailed an expensive crown but it hasn't worked. I have found a new dentist who advises an implant or bridge...costing about £1,100. or more. I am about to sue the first dentist in the hope he'll foot the bill. The work has to be done since the bad tooth has rotted the bone around it and until it's extracted I'll have big problems.

So, implant or bridge?

More than anything I fear having the tooth extracted since its roots above the gum are negligable and difficult to get hold of, I'm sure.
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kerouac2
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #1 on Jul 3, 2009, 10:52am »		[Quote]
I think an implant is always better -- it's usually just a matter of whether one can afford it or not. Your dentist definitely should pay for it -- after all, he has insurance for such things, no?
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bixaorellana
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #2 on Jul 3, 2009, 1:49pm »		[Quote]
Implant. The ceramic of the implant base allows new bone to grow. (<--- unscientific, possibly inaccurate explanation)
I truly believe that crowns and bridges cause their own sets of problems eventually.

Also -- and call me a sue-happy American if you wish -- but that bastard had better pay for a lot more than simply putting in the prosthetic.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #3 on Jul 3, 2009, 1:52pm »		[Quote]
You sue-happy American! >:(
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bixaorellana
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #4 on Jul 3, 2009, 1:55pm »		[Quote]
*hums*
"Froggy went to court, he did ride, um-humm.........."
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spindrift
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #5 on Jul 3, 2009, 2:29pm »		[Quote]
Thanks for your advice.

I'm seeing my solicitor friend tomorrow and he'll draft a letter for me to the dentist concerned. I'll have to threaten him with reporting him to the General Dental Council. I'm ready for that.
Yes, he would be insured.

Regarding an implant: I'm not sure there is sufficient bone left on one side of the maltreated tooth....I know it'll regenerate but it's not there at the moment!
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #6 on Jul 9, 2009, 12:03pm »		[Quote]
Speaking as a former dental technician I would go for the implant too. Far more stable and lasts longer but yeah more expensive.
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spindrift
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #7 on Jul 9, 2009, 12:23pm »		[Quote]
Just tell me - is the drilling into the jaw really awful to endure? :o
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #8 on Jul 9, 2009, 12:27pm »		[Quote]
That I don't know. I made the fake teeth, never worked with the patient acutally. But I would expect that you get some wonderful local anesthetic and won't feel more than discomfort and a bit of pressure probably.
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spindrift
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #9 on Jul 9, 2009, 12:49pm »		[Quote]
:'( :-/ ::)
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #10 on Jul 9, 2009, 12:50pm »		[Quote]
Awww sorry :-*
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #11 on Nov 14, 2009, 10:42am »		[Quote]
So the weeks roll by but the toothache stays with me.

I have asked my former dentist (who perforated the tooth in May 07) to kindly send me a cheque for £2,000 to cover the cost of the implant. He has neglected to do so. Having a strong case against him I spent yesterday afternoon filling out a detailed questionnaire sent to me by Dental Negligence Solicitors (who are dentists themselves as well as lawyers).. and I hope they will 'take instructions' from me as soon as possible because there is a 3 year limit on dental claims and I must get on with this one.

I wonder what I can expect to receive in compensation if my claim goes ahead. And I wonder whether he'll settle out of court.

You might think I'm harsh to seek compensation but I've had nearly 3 years of pain and putting up with hellish visits to many dental specialists in an effort to make good my dentist's careless work (drilling into my facial maxilla).

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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #12 on Nov 14, 2009, 4:10pm »		[Quote]
My nephew confused me during his visit, because he would not bite into a sandwich with crusty French bread. He would break it into small pieces and eat it that way. He finally explained that his titanium implants did not permit him to use his teeth normally. It was unclear to me whether these were 'temporary' implants or the permanent thing. I didn't interrogate him on the subject, but I think they were temporary, because I can't imagine people paying so much if you can't even eat normally.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #13 on Nov 14, 2009, 8:16pm »		[Quote]
I totally understand, Spindrift.
Unfortunately too many people carelessly seek compensation, thus giving a bad name to this practise. Whereas some cases should be compensated and people don't "dare" to. good on you that you did act upon it.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #14 on Nov 14, 2009, 11:22pm »		[Quote]
I couldn't bear to read this until now as I have a bad tooth too... It annoys me that implants, by far the superior technology, are still outside so many people's budgets. Spindrift, I take it this is not covered by National Health? I thought teeth were. Teeth are not covered under our otherwise exemplary health scheme. Annoying as (knock wood) for the moment I've had nothing else really wrong with me in my already longish life.
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spindrift
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #15 on Nov 15, 2009, 5:22pm »		[Quote]
Thanks Annie....

Lagatta - no the NHS does not cover implants. It does not even cover visit to the hygienists to the standard to which I am accustomed. I've always paid for my teeth out of my pocket and it costs a fortune. I simply cannot afford this implant.

I've only decided to press for payment of this implant because the 3 year period (in which one can claim) is nearly up. My troubles started in Jan 2007.

Of course I do know that 'bad' teeth cause underlying low health and bring one down a lot. Still I've disregarded this fact because there is one thing I dread and that's going to the dentist. I've such a bad track record of incompetent ones outside of London. I'm sure all the good ones are in central London but I can't afford them! I've had nothing but trouble with teeth since living in the provinces.

Let me tell you a true story about NHS dentists in my area. For years a friend of mine has had her teeth cleaned by hygienists on the NHS. Recently she was found to have advanced gum disease and her back teeth were falling out, one by one. I forced her to go to a private dentist and he told her that she had gingevitis because over the years the NHS dentist had only cleaned the front teeth and never bothered to do the back teeth. That's how bad they are here. It is my opinion that the NHS encourages teeth to fall out then they replace them with dentures which are cost effective. I am appalled.


Kerouac - I will enquire about the titanium implants. I hope, for the price mine will stand up to eating crusty bread.

Actually I'm all for waiting for 'seeded' teeth to be finally released to us...so they can be grown from stem cells anew. I don't know when this will be but they have succeeded in mice.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #16 on Nov 15, 2009, 8:16pm »		[Quote]
The only health plan that I ever heard of that covers all dental needs is the Swedish plan that covers everything in your mouth up to age 18. Then you have to start paying. But of course, if you have perfect teeth at age 18, they stay perfect for a long time with proper care.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #17 on Nov 20, 2009, 7:02pm »		[Quote]
Not if you have an Irish dentist :'(

I am pleased to say that my Claim for dental negligence has been accepted by the dental lawfirm. They will now send my solicitor friend £100 as an introduction fee. He has offered to split it with me but I've told him he deserves to keep it all.

On Wednesday the dental solicitor will phone me for a 20 minute introductory conversation as to how the claim will proceed and will then request that the (negligent) dentist send them my dental records prior to going to court. How exciting!
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #18 on Nov 27, 2009, 7:48pm »		[Quote]
I have been advised that my claim might take up to 18 months so I have arranged to have my tooth (Upper Left 4) extracted on 30th December. I can't stand the pain any longer.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #19 on Nov 27, 2009, 8:50pm »		[Quote]
I hope that this will make the year 2010 much better for you. I have my own medical issues to deal with over the next two weeks and who knows what I might learn?
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #20 on Nov 27, 2009, 10:06pm »		[Quote]
Yes, I am hoping so too. Good luck with yours.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #21 on Nov 28, 2009, 4:34pm »		[Quote]
good luck, both!
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #22 on Dec 8, 2009, 3:20pm »		[Quote]
I had two implants done two years ago and it was well worth it, even though it cost me $9,000. I was getting infections in the teeth quite frequently. I'd like to point out I inherited bad teeth (thanks, Mum). I've had periodontal work done, I have had my teeth cleaned 4 times a years for at least the last 10 years. I brush, floss and rubber tip. Granted, had I started doing those three things in my 20s, I probably wouldn't be where I am today but that's life.

The actual procedure was not a big deal at all. Naturally I was well frozen. All the follow-up work was quite easy also.

I found the teeth extractions a lot more frightening. I am a huge baby about dental work and normally cry when a new procedure is done. It doesn't have to hurt, I am simply the world's biggest dental chicken.

The implants feel like my own teeth - it was a good decision on my part.

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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #23 on Dec 8, 2009, 5:40pm »		[Quote]
I hope that I will never need such a thing anyway. I went 28 years between dental visits because I inherited my grandmother's teeth, all of which were still in her mouth when she died at age 93.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #24 on Dec 22, 2009, 6:37am »		[Quote]
Most dentists really don't like to do bridges any more. Implants are the thing. They take longer but from what I'm told, are great.
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spindrift
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #25 on Dec 23, 2009, 4:50pm »		[Quote]
It's getting nearer to the extraction on 30th and I'm quaking in my boots. :-[

The medical negligence claim is going along nicely.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #26 on Dec 30, 2009, 5:38pm »		[Quote]
At 2pm today I visited the dentist for the extraction. He warned me that it might not be an easy one since the tooth has been root filled, root perforated and a crown put on top. I've been having a lot of pain over the last month or two. My common sense told me that it would be a rather horrible experience.
And it was :'(

He gave me two long anaesthetic injections, one into the roof of my mouth :'(. Whilst we waited for numbness to take hold he made an impression of my upper teeth for a small plate with one tooth, for I will have a gap showing near the front of my mouth.

We could not delay any longer. The blunt intruments of torture came out of the drawer and I was laid low to submit to endurance.

The crown came off no bother. It just fell off. Then the going got tough. He had to slowly prise each root out separately. He eventually did it perfectly and gave them to me to keep. I might take a picture of them. As an indication of how much pain I've been having - attached to one root was a granular cyst which goes to show how bad the infection was . It's very interesting to look at.

Shall I post a picture. Is there a spoiler?

Thank goodness I found this wonderful new dentist. I shall recommend him to everybody.

I'm so glad it's over. Now I'm on soft food (soups, yogourts) for the day and they have to be taken cold. He says I'll start to feel much better in a couple of days.

I'm going back in 6 weeks or so for the implant.
He charged me £90 to remove the tooth.
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #27 on Dec 30, 2009, 6:33pm »		[Quote]
Will insurance cover the cost?

It's fine to post photos of it here -- it is not the food branch! :D
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #28 on Dec 30, 2009, 8:25pm »		[Quote]
No, I'm not insured for it. I have, however, instigated legal proceedings for negligence against the dentist who attempted to carry out the root filling but perforated the root and drilled into my facial maxilla thereby causing all the trouble. The implant will cost approximately £1,000 (one tooth) and I am hoping I'll win a settlement within the £3,000 - £5,000 range. There's no guarantee of course :-/
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Re: Implant or Bridge?
« Reply #29 on Dec 31, 2009, 4:48am »		[Quote]
spinny, so glad you came through the extraction with flying colors. Out with the old, in with the new!
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