Dental Implants? Does anyone?

know about reactions to these Or rejection of titanium. Sounds strange but I have a strange body chemistry. If there is a side effect I'll get it (no I don't study side effects beforehand).


From extractions to finished project how much time is involved. I also have to have bone build-up.


Just how painful is all of this. Don't tell me to ask my dentist. I want to talk to ppl who have been there.


Thanks for your help.

Dental Implants? Does anyone?
There is not a record of anyone ever having a reaction to titanium. This is one of the reasons they are used in dental implants and artificial joints. Think how close dental implants are to your brain. No Dentist wants his patient to have a reaction that close to the brain. They care for us and want success for you.


As for the amount of time, this varies on some factors such as how many implants are needed. If multiple, are they going to be placed in one surgery appointment, or several appointments? Is bone build up needed for the site of each implant or just one? Are you in the cash and time position of going to the Dentist as often as they request for the implant surgery and preparation of the site(s)?


There definitely is healing time necessary and the overall process can take 6 months depending upon your condition, money, dentist availability, etc. The build up of bone has to take to the existing bone. Also, the bone surrounding the implants has to heal around the implants. Then, the implants have to be exposed so the preparation work of healing caps can be installed. This is painful and uncomfortable while it is being done. If an Assistant is on the other side of you while the Dentist is doing this work with the healing caps, likely they will let you hold and squeeze their hand to make you feel better. :)


As for the bone buildup, the buildup can come from different places. Some of dentists use cow bone. Some use artificial bone. Some transplant bone from your chin to the site needed. Using your own bone is wonderful as it is native to your body and chemistry. So just as you don't need to worry about a reaction to the Titanium, you don't need to worry about rejection from your own bone. The dentist will only use whatever bone build up/replacement substance with which he has had success. I have never heard of rejection from cow bone or artificial bone either.


You may write me directly and get more info if you have time. I'm happy to help. You deserve a great smile!
Reply:From much research by dental professionals and even my own reading. Titanium isn't an actual metal. Doesn't conduct magnets and have been proven to be biologically compatible with people. Light, strong and totally bio-compatible, titanium is one of few materials that naturally match the requirements for implantation in the human body. Does not corrode like other metals either.





Not only is titanium used in dental implants but in Bone and Joint Replacement About one million patients worldwide are treated annually for total replacement of arthritic hips and knee joints. Maxillo and Cranio/facial treatments Surgery to repair facial damage using the patients own tissue cannot always obtain the desired results.Cardiovascular devices Titanium is regularly used for pacemaker cases and defibrillators, as the carrier structure for replacement heart valves, and for intra-vascular stents.





I personally have an allergy to some metals. Earrings and watches will break me out but since getting my implants in 2005 I have not had one issue. My daughter has titanium pins in her face because of her having jaw surgery. My Dad has titanium stents in his arteries from having angioplasty. This product is proven to be safe. I am thankful for titanium.
Reply:I have two implants in my mouth right now healing and awaiting the crowns. It was pretty painful for the first two days after the implants and bone graft were placed, but have had little pain since. Lortab was my new best friend those first two days. I was out of commission and unable to work for 4 days mostly because of the anesthesia hang over and Lortab. (I had IV sedation for the procedure and I am very sensitive to it).





In my research before having the implants, I saw an 85-90% success rate quoted in wikipedia.com, I think it was, so the rejection rate is low. There is a 5% higher rejection rate for smokers.





Healing times vary depending on where the implant is. Upper implants take longer. Mine in the lower jaw can be crowned in 4 months according to my periodontist. I had a specialist do mine, as I always pick a specialist if there is one for quality's sake.





You say you have to have bone build up. Is this ridge augmentation or bone graft? Those are two very different procedures. Bone graft is (I think) inserting bone fragments into the area where the tooth was removed. If your bone ridge needs to be widened, that's an additional procedure with an additional 4-6 months healing time, depending on the extent of the surgery. My doctor thought I needed bone ridge widening but decided I didn't after having a CT scan of the area.





It is a long, drawn out expensive process. ($6380 so far not counting the two crowns which I expect to be approx $2400). I had my tooth extracted May 24, 2007 and hopefully will have the crowns placed and usable by this Christmas. (I was already missing one tooth).





My dentist and periodontist say this is better than having a partial placed. I sure hope they're correct!


Good luck!
Reply:this will hurt tink . but it was worth the pain. I got a few ,they work great I have had no pain in years ,it took about 2 years from the time I started going
Reply:I have them. I had no side effects, and I'm a sensitive person.





It took close to 2 years for it to be completed. But, I had just about all my teeth done.





It's not an easy ride. It'll hurt at times. Other times, not. But, it is so worth it. I can't emphasize this enough.





It costs a fortune. Mine ran about $30,000. I live in NY, though, so the prices are probably higher than other states.





If you have any other questions, just send me a message, and I'll answer them. M.
Reply:I had two done last year. Xanax helps:) It took about 6 months from start to finish. They were a little awkward at first when the crowns were installed, but now they have settled in, they feel natural and comfortable. It wasn't excruciatingly painful, but there is discomfort, as I said, xanax for the surgical part of the procedure, when they drill into your jaw to install the post helps, (I got em to knock me out for the extraction, but it isn't cheap) and I got oxycodone with tylenol for the after care, which I didn't really use that much of, mostly at night, and ibuprofen during the day. There was some discomfort along the way, but now that I am done, I am very happy with the result.... after the extraction, you get an examination to see how the bone is growing back, it depends on a case by case basis, sometimes they do the posts at time of extraction, while other times they need to let the bone heal for a month and then decide if you need bone grafts, etc, which I didn't need for this one. Then they open the gum, drill into the bone, and set the posts in there, close the gum, and let you go for 3 months while the bone knits around it. For about another 3 months after that they are making various other additions and adjustments, and taking casts of your mouth and things like that, and ultimately screwing in the implants then installing caps on them.... Anasthesia-wise, for the drilling procedure I asked for xanax, and was comfortable during the procedure which they did with novacaine for anasthesia...(and I am a very nervous patient, which is why I had them knock me out for the extraction part)