A few years ago I had several implants which were necessary at the back of my mouth so that I could actually eat and chew proper food. I have never regretted having them and recently had them X rayed and the whole process has been a complete success. I recently had to have a natural tooth removed from the side of my mouth.
I can still eat OK and I don't really miss it but I thought aestheically it might be nice to close the gap but also because I thought it might be important from a dental point of view to have a continuation teeth as I dont want to lose my neighbouring natural teeth in the future.
The dentist said that I had lost some bone but he might be able to get away with putting any extra bone in. Now I don't like the sound of a dentist saying he can get away with this or that. To me the cost is of secondary consideration, I just want the treatment to be right. I have never really trusted dentists as all my problems have come through unnecessary work. Fortunately I do have the cash to spend but I would really like this to be the final time I ever have to visit one of these people.
What I need to know is the likelihood in ten or twenty years time if I look after my teeth will my existing neighbouring natural tooth by the gap be relatively safe and stable ?
Allowing for advances in dental science will I be able to have a bone graft if necessary in 10 years time if I lose bone and possibly want to have an implant in 10 years time?
I am in my sixties and got a happy relationship with my wife and she doesn't mind me having a tooth missing and I am not looking to go out on the pull, so the aesthetics doesn't bother me. The only thing that concerns me is will I be able to have an implant at a later date if I change my mind?
If dentists themselves had to go through the implant process and face these dilemma's in their personal lives, they might have a less cavalier approach, I have been through it before and should only be done if really necessary but
I am beating myself up about this and really would appreciate some advice.
I can still eat OK and I don't really miss it but I thought aestheically it might be nice to close the gap but also because I thought it might be important from a dental point of view to have a continuation teeth as I dont want to lose my neighbouring natural teeth in the future.
The dentist said that I had lost some bone but he might be able to get away with putting any extra bone in. Now I don't like the sound of a dentist saying he can get away with this or that. To me the cost is of secondary consideration, I just want the treatment to be right. I have never really trusted dentists as all my problems have come through unnecessary work. Fortunately I do have the cash to spend but I would really like this to be the final time I ever have to visit one of these people.
What I need to know is the likelihood in ten or twenty years time if I look after my teeth will my existing neighbouring natural tooth by the gap be relatively safe and stable ?
Allowing for advances in dental science will I be able to have a bone graft if necessary in 10 years time if I lose bone and possibly want to have an implant in 10 years time?
I am in my sixties and got a happy relationship with my wife and she doesn't mind me having a tooth missing and I am not looking to go out on the pull, so the aesthetics doesn't bother me. The only thing that concerns me is will I be able to have an implant at a later date if I change my mind?
If dentists themselves had to go through the implant process and face these dilemma's in their personal lives, they might have a less cavalier approach, I have been through it before and should only be done if really necessary but
I am beating myself up about this and really would appreciate some advice.
