experience with dental implants?

[norwich36]

Anyone out there have experience with dental implants they can share? I just got the paperwork from my periodontist, and frankly it's freaking me out a little bit.

When I was getting a new root canal last March, my endodontist said based on the scans, an older root canal had failed--bacterial infiltration. He recommended a new root canal--but my dentist said that I would need a crown lengthening for a new root canal to be successful, and sent me off to the periodontist to be evaluated.
The periodontist said he could do it, but that I should consider an implant instead, since in a couple more years I may end up having to get the tooth pulled anyway, so it would be cost effective in the long run. My dentist concurred.

I mostly dithered for months, hoping to put off the decision until next year (since I had already used up my dental insurance for the year with all these visits!) Last week I started having extreme pain in that tooth, though, so I decided to go for the cheap option. I called the periodontist, but he is on vacation all this week--the first slot available is next Monday. His assistant went ahead and scheduled me for the procedure, but I (obviously) haven't had a chance to talk to him about it, and looking at the warnings/possible complications/timeline stuff, I'm a little freaked out. I knew it would take several months from the bone graft to the actual implant, but the list of possible complications is scaring me.

So, has anyone done this? How bad is it?

Comments

[vibrantharmony.livejournal.com]

Well, my history is lot different from yours, but I do have my very own tooth implant! It honestly wasn't too bad. They pulled my tooth when I was about 13, but I didn't have the actual post put in for another two years, then the tooth added onto the post about a year later. Since I was so young, I had false teeth added to my retainer and braces, and there was no time rush. Aside from the "oh my god I have no tooth" the worst part for me was the cost, since my insurance didn't cover it.

So I say go for it. My implant is super secure, and I haven't had trouble with it for the past 8 years.

[syllic.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with vibrantharmony. Er, I just typed a really long comment about this, so uh, see your e-mail. But it's a good idea, I think.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

I really appreciated that email--it was extremely helpful, and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for your input! It was really helpful, and I'm sorry it took me so long to reply.

[allzugern.livejournal.com]

My dad just had several teeth done in what they call computer guided implant surgery. It was all over and done in like a couple of hours and he's thrilled with the results. If you only need one tooth done, it'd probably be a breeze.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's good to know. And I'm sorry this reply is so late.