Hi, I’m new to this group. I have 2 front teeth that needed to be pulled and implants done. I’m very worried. I had an implant on back moler done. It was difficult. I got dry socket.
So far 2 years later I’m good.
Several questions could use advice. I knew this was coming some day. I was hit in the face 45 years ago and now the teeth are failing. I currently have an infection and on the palate behind teeth and on antibiotics. But dentist does not see anything in root yet but is resorbed.
Last tooth I went to surgeon. But my dentist is insisting he do the implants. I don’t know what to do. Did you all go to surgeons or did your dentist do it?
Did any of you have an implant the same day?
I’m terrified of the flipper.
52 Responses
Similar story here. I had a crown due to an accident when I was a kid. Suddenly in mid 40’s after some ortho work I found out I had resorption but not many signs of advancement. Fast forward 8 months and I have an infection on the top of my palette (abscess) and now some bone loss. I got my front tooth extracted, a bone graph, and a temp in 1 day. I’m half way through the healing process and waiting to see what happens. I did everything with a prosthodontist and feel good about my choice.
Julie G. my regular dentist is a Prosthodontist
Julie G. Dr put me on an antibiotic, day 3 the palette still hurts! I guess I need to call him?
Julie G. how soon after infection did you get tooth out?
Dot F. I waited until the abscess started getting in the way and growing. When I got my second canaray X-ray it was inevitable.
With antibiotics, if it’s closed it likely won’t work is what happened with me.
Julie G. what do you mean by closed?
So you were in pain? It started like a bad pizza burn but now hurts with touch or pressure. I think it’s closed too? He said salt water wouldn’t help
Julie G. what’s a canaray X-ray?
The root X-ray shows nothing. He was having me come back in 7 weeks to re X-ray. He says it will eventually show up?
Julie G. I looked up the X-ray.
Julie G. isn’t it dangerous to have an untreated infection?
Dot F. not an open wound
Julie G. so did u feel better once the tooth was pulled?
Dot F. the abscess healed in 2 days. I didn’t have pain because of the tooth just the abscess. It made it challenging to eat.
Dot F. yeah nothing helps since it’s an issue with a timeline. Eventually it will have to be dealt with I’m guessing – mine was.
Julie G. did you have any issues?
Julie G. did you get it done with an infection? We’re you on antibiotics?
Julie G. did you get glued on tooth or a retainer?
Julie G. what did you do for the palette abscess? My dr says not to worry and not giving me antibiotics
Dot F. actually no. It went smoothly
Dot F. no it was a closed wound and the only thing to correct it was to address it.
Julie G. so how soon after did you have the tooth pulled. I’m freaking out at my dentist. I saw him this morning. He sent me 20 miles to get a cat scan. Then I had to bring it back to him. He never called to tell me the results but the endodontist only told me it needs to be pulled talk to your own dentist. He just did the X-ray as a favor for my dentist. Meanwhile while I’m in pain! I can’t reach my dr now till Monday. How long did you walk around with the infection?
Julie G. yes, sounds the same. How long did this go on for you.
Dot F. oh I walked around for about a month. I got a Canaray too. I was waiting to see how active the resorption was.
Dot F. I would look into dealing with a prosthodontist who takes care of the whole experience.
Julie G. it’s been since March 28 for me. I’m sure it’ll be a few more weeks. My primary dr put me on steroids she thought it was all sinus related 😢
Dot F. the main thing is you don’t want bone loss. That’s why I would try to consult with someone who can communicate better
Julie G. this dentist has my ct scan I can’t get it till Monday day.
Dot F. that’s ok. Nothing big is happening in a few days
Do you have the lab they used? Or call reception to find out? You’re entitled to a copy of the report and results
Julie G. I had an implant in a molar, I liked the guy, but I’m one if those people who have difficult with everything!
Julie G. really! Well that’s what my dentist is!
Julie G. why?
Julie G. the oral surgeon has a ct scan. My dentist doesn’t. Did yours
Julie G. I thought it was best to go to someone who does lots of implants?
Dot F. a prosthodontist does just that. From extraction to placing the temp to final.
Dot F. I went to a clinic with the requisition
Dot F. 100%. I was just fine right after really. Took care to not brush but use the meds and ate soft
Julie G. my dentist wants to do it all. I love him he’s just not available. He’s kind and gentle and does great work. But as I said works 2 days a week. Not great at returning calls.
Dot F. what happens when you get surgery? Availability
Don’t be terrified of the flipper. It looks great and you will get used to it. It’s like a retainer just a little clumsy feel if you eat with it and it’s temporary. See if there are any reviews on your dentist doing implants. My dentist is only responsible for the crown the surgeon did the extraction and implant the same day, the hole is already there and I got myself so overthinking it and fearful but to me it was not painful at all. I took my 800 mg of ibuprofen for the first day iced it and put a banana peel face down over face 20 minutes each alternating it worked like a charm no swelling.
Oral surgeon
My periodontist did mine.
My periodontist has been doing all of mine. Please make sure you go to someone who does implants every day … get a second opinion and go to someone you trust 100%
Periodontist only
The dentist only did my crown. I went to a surgeon/implant specialist.
I opted for ClearChoice since they specialize in implants and my dentist did not. Getting my dentures from the dentist was a nightmare for me. The first set did not fit and were horrible. It took weeks to get the replacement set. After a year of waiting to see if the bone grafting was successful we were in COVID and my March appt was canceled and after many canceled appointments (them canceling on me) they finally saw me in June and they were not prepared for the appointment and said I needed a specialty appointment for the X-rays. At this point I was furious and decided I’m done with them. I gave it a break for a bit and finally started looking into implants. I went for my consultation at ClearChoice in late January and had my implants done March 2nd. One of the biggest factors for me was the on-site lab. Good Luck with your journey.
Do not go to a regular dentist. I have a surgeon who removed and did my bone grafts and will later on down the road do my second part of my surgery. Then I have my dentist who’s making the teeth teeth and my venners. I would not trust a regular dentist to the actual implants itself. But i also had a cleft lip and palate as a child. So im not taking any chances when it come to my mouth.
Holley S. curious did you need to take antibiotics at all during your journey?
Dot F. yes afterwards I took a round of steroids and antibiotics. Also a antibiotic mouth wash.
Holley S. why steroids? Wow
Dot F. to help with blood flow and swelling.
Was yours an emergency? My dr sent me for a cat scan and isn’t calling me back till Monday. Meanwhile I’m in pain! How quickly did you do all this?