On 10/11/2015 3:02 PM, Xeno wrote:
> On 11/10/2015 11:17 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>> On 10/11/2015 7:03 AM, Gary wrote:
>>>
>>> I do get the impression that the implants are the next best thing to
>>> real. Do you find this to be true? I still have all my teeth (3 are
>>> crowned though). If I live long enough that will change eventually. I
>>> suppose people get used to dentures but it's a scary thought to me.
>>>
>>> Also with dentures, you would go for years with missing teeth before
>>> requiring a full denture unless you just get many good ones pulled too
>>> all at once. Partials sound like a pain to deal with (and scary too).
>>> The implants sound like a good alternative if you can afford them. At
>>> least with implants you can get one at a time as a real tooth needs to
>>> come out.
>>>
>> My middle brother unfortunately had really bad teeth, gums and bone
>> loss. He had dental insurance through work but *never* met his
>> deductible even though it seemed he was always having something done. He
>> got tired of it and decided to have ALL of his teeth pulled and replaced
>> with implants. Obviously not a covered by insurance thing. This was
>> about 15 years ago.
>>
>> IIRC he borrowed against his 401K and Dad kicked in some money. He
>> negotiated a discount with the oral surgeon in exchange for updating her
>> web site.
>>
>> He had to have cadaver bones implanted in his jaw to support the
>> implants because he had significant bone loss in his jaw. The entire
>> process took about a year (she didn't pull all his teeth at once) and
>> cost over $30,000. A couple of months after it was all done (lovely
>> smile!) one of the implants broke and he had to pay to have it replaced.
>>
>> Implants are probably the next best thing to real teeth but they do
>> require maintenance and replacement from time to time. Worth it? You
>> decide.
>>
>> Jill
>
> I broke a front tooth when in my mid 20s. It was capped and that lasted
> for 25 years but failed when the stump cracked and became infected. I
> tried a single tooth denture for a while and, believe me, they don't
> work well. Eventually had an implant fitted. Best move I ever made. No
> regrets. The surgeon told me it isn't for everyone as bone density and
> other factors play a key role in longevity. Preciseness of installation
> is also key as an implant fitted at an incorrect angle will have
> abnormal side loadings applied and will fail prematurely if not spot on.
> According to my surgeon, mt bone density was perfect and no extra bone
> needed grafting in.
>
> Cost me about A$4,000 but it was worth every cent.
>
> BTW, they are designed to be easily replaced if broken - as long as the
> implant itself is secure in the bone of the jaw.
>
> A friend had his done - full upper set - against the recommendation of
> his surgeon and they all failed. His bone structure and density wasn't
> adequate and he was told that but he insisted.
>
Lack of bone density was half my brothers problem. That's why the
surgeon implanted bone to hold the implants.

Regular dentures likely would have required the same thing. If you
don't have the base to hold the teeth - be it your natural teeth,
dentures or implants, nothing will work well.

Jill