Just joined this group and would love to hear success stories of dental implants. I lost my front tooth about 10 months ago 😞 I have an allergy to metal so after lots of research, I have decided to get a zirconia implant. My Dental specialist who has been practicing for over 20 years attempted an implant in September but due to bone loss, the implant was not placed. He closed me up and said I needed to heal for 4 more months. He also told me to take vitamin D and try to not stress because that contributes to the body not healing etc. Well fast forward to today, he said everything looks great and we are going to try again in 2 weeks (Feb 17th). I asked him if he had anyone ever need to “try” a 3rd time to implant due to the second one not being successful. He said maybe 2 people in his entire 20 years so I thought that is good odds.
I am a Speech Language Pathologist and people look at my mouth daily. Has anyone got a zirconia implant and have had it over 10 years? I’m trying not to stress but can not stop worrying. Also due to my Dentist attempting two piece zirconia implants and seeing a lot of fractures and fails, he will only do a one piece zirconia implant. Due to the implant sticking out over my gum line, I can not wear a flipper but instead will be wearing an Invisalign on the top of my teeth for 3-4 months until I can get a crown. This also makes me nervous but I do TRUST my dentist. I did get a second opinion from another holistic dentist and trust my dentist completely.
Success stories please! How long? How does it feel? If the implant did fail, how did you know? Was it painful? Did it literally FALL OUT?
Any knowledge is very appreciated! Thanks for reading this much.
Success Stories of Dental Implants
52 Responses
If you are in the US, zirconia implants were only approved by the FDA 10 years ago.
Rachel J. I am in the USA, my dentist only does titanium implants so I was referred out. A well known highly recommended holistic dentist in Las Vegas retired. My specialist dentist worked with him for 10 years and was trained by him. He has done LOTS of zirconia and titanium implants.
Renee R. that’s great, but you asked if anyone had a zirconia implant for over 10 years. If they were only FDA approved in 2011, that means you’re not going to find that, at least not stateside.
Rachel J. oh that makes sense. I see what you are saying. I would also like to know if people have titanium implants for over 10 years with no complications. I wish this was an option for me but I just can’t take the chance
Renee R. hello I’m in the Las Vegas area and looking for someone that specializes in zirconia implants can I get his name please
Cindy R. Dr Huang significance dental specialists in the SW. He practiced under Dr Hetzel (Holistic Dentist) for 10 years. Dr Hetzel a well known holistic dentist has now retired.
Hey hun
Could they not do a bone graft for you?
Good luck on the surgery again..
What teeth r using now
Mary H. yes I had a bone graph the first time and with the second one, the first attempt he wasn’t confident in the placement and explained it to me like it was equivalent to putting a post in quick sand. He would never implant knowing it would fail so he put more cadaver bone in and closed me up.
Mary H. right now I have a flipper which I eat with it in so I can eat out in public. My husband lives to eat and I more eat to live so this whole process is stressful for him because I will not eat out in public until I get my crown.
Why did he implant it if he knew it would fail?
I am the same eat to live right now
Which teeth is it for you?
Mary H. he didn’t implant because he “knew” it would fail and that is obviously not what he wants. I go for a second try (re-implant) after 4 months of healing. I’m Canadian and really don’t know how to tell you what tooth it is. It is my front lateral incisor (tooth in between front and canine)
I hope it works out for you z
Rooting for you Renee x
No issues 5 years Later. Diabetic. No bone graft needed 31 extractions. I was in bad shape . Probably not specific to your question but that’s all I can offer 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Cali S. thanks so much! Very related. I want to hear success stories! I was on another group that was so “anti” implants. It was really frustrating. I am not interested in having a flipper FOREVER and that is often what was said to me.
Cory C. Jr. I have 4 screws on bottom and 5 on top. I never really made a choice I walked in said hook me up , they ran test , x rays consultation . Etc ., A month later I was in a chair and walked out feeling brand new. I was given at total and said do it. I don’t know what I have to be honest I guess I could ask next time. I was more concerned with functionality and appearance . I just wanted to be normal again . I’ve had no issues so over all I am ok with it .?
Cory C. Jr. 4 on bottom 5 on top
Not to be pretentious but I have no problem talking to females I have no business talking to now. I could never do that . 1000% confidence booster.
Following
I’m an SLP too and currently having the same distressing situation. I feel ya!! 🤗
I was an assistant for over a decade and I don’t think I ever saw a one piece zirconia implant, and I worked at a holistic office and for surgery specialists. Your bone wasn’t filled in enough, now it is, and I wouldn’t worry for no reason about needing a third attempt. I would worry more about the crown coming off one day, but just be careful and don’t bite into hard things.
Milla M. my holistic dentist has done two piece zirconia implants but said he is not a fan due to high rate of fracture and also the screw in there is titanium and when people are choosing zirconia because they have a metal allergy…. he feels that is deceiving. He no longer endorses that product. Let me take a picture of the one he uses and has had great success with.
https://www.google.com/search…
Straumann is a good brand. This video shows how you may get a temporary tooth later to help shape the gums before the permanent crown. Right now they may not want to put a load on the implant. Sounds like you’ve looked around and done some research though.
I have two of this fitted
Mary H. thanks so much for the info. My lifelong regular dentist doesn’t do zirconia implants and the specialist endodontist doesn’t do crowns so I am actually not sure who to ask. Obviously I don’t want any compromise of the product that I am paying a small fortune for. At these times I wish I didn’t have a metal allergy. I feel like this would have been done a LONG time ago if i could have titanium but because I have a one piece zirconia…. there is no “burying” making sure oscillation then abutment etc.
I am just praying this all turns out. I am getting essex (invisilign) to wear for 3-4 months but I cant eat with a plastic tray in, hence their goes my social lofe for the next 3 months. I cant wait for this ordeal to be over and I have a success story
Renee R.
IF your bone loss remains or returns as a problem, “Zygomatic implants” anchor into the chek bone, not just the upper gum.
https://www.nobelbiocare.com/blog/products-and-solutions/benefits-of-zygomatic-implants-in-patients-with-severe-dental-bone-loss/
Mike C. thanks for the info. Implant has been placed 🙏🏼 so far so good but thanks for the info.
So can you give an update? How are you now? I’m having my front tooth pulled and will have an implant and graft. I’m so worried and scared it will fail!
Dot F. so I got a second opinion and decided to stay with my original endodentist specialist who was very familiar with zirconia implants.
I had a second attempt after waiting 4 months for it to heal and it worked! The dentist felt very confident this time. I will get released from my specialist on June 16th and sent back to my original dentist for the crown. So overall this process was a year and a half for me. My tooth fell out April 19th last year a month into full lockdown.
Right now I have a tray (Invisalign) because it is a one piece zirconia implant. I am so excited to get my crown and put this behind me.
Renee R. yay! So happy for you! I’m terrified!
Omg it fell out?. The Implant, I’m confused? What fell out? The original tooth?
I know you’ll be happy after the crown.
Dot F. 🤣 yes my root canaled tooth from when I was 18 fell out literally during the lockdown. It was a Sunday. I canceled all my therapy sessions the next day 😳 and my dentist saw me for an emergency. He made me a tray in house (labs were closed) and I glued my tooth in that tray. Then I went to the specialist. First attempt of zirconia was attempted but I didn’t have enough bone so it was never placed. He wanted me to heal for 4 more months.
Second try was on Feb 17th. He said it was perfect like drilling into concrete 😀
Renee R. he didn’t do a graft?
Renee R. so happy it’s worked out for you!
Dot F. ummm I am not sure I did a bone graph…. he added cadaver bone both times
Dot F. you can see the tooth the arrow is pointed at is definitely a darker yellow color.
That’s the implant! One piece zirconia. The only reason I am taking this picture is because this is a great support group. This whole experience was mortifying for me. I am sure you will do great. I didn’t decide on a bone graph because my endo said it was a 99% success rate using cadaver 🤷🏼♀️
How come you went with bone graph? Just curious. Are you getting titanium? I think if it is buried if increases your chances but I am not super experienced. First and only implant.
Renee R. yes you had one
Renee R. ❤️
Renee R. mine is my big front tooth. I’m so scared
Dot F. I was terrified and got a relaxing drug worth every Penny. The actual procedure is honestly better then a root canal in my opinion.
I’ll pray for you. It is so stressful. As long as you get a flipper… no one will know. Let it heal well and don’t rush the process.
Renee R. I’m not getting a flipper. He’s taking the old tooth and bonding it to the teeth next to it. I’m not so happy. That means in 4 months when I have the implant it had to come off and then go back on. I’d rather have a flipper.
I didn’t ask what he’s using. I’m having tooth pulled on wed and Cadevor graft like you.
I think it’s Titatinum. That’s months away. This is an emergency extraction.
Dot F. oh no. Well I don’t have a flipper now and I also didn’t for a month in the beginning. Just in between for a few months but since my implant sticks out…. no more flipper. Just be careful biting especially if it is a front tooth. That was one of my fears to be out in public and breaking my flipper since my biggest fear of losing that tooth in the first place. Hey that is the only positive part of wearing masks at this point IMO
Renee R. I know! But they are wearing masks less and less here!
Dot F. I don’t wear a mask at all. It will be okay. Good luck
Renee R. I never go it, but still in my area places insist you wear a mask. I’m in MD. What state are you in? You can’t enter without a mask.
Dot F. I’m in Nevada (Las Vegas). I go everywhere without a mask 🤣🤣 they will say do you have a mask and I will politely say no thank you and keep going. Rebel!! Who knew it was being a rebel to be able to breathe when it is in 80°/90° out here already
Renee R. we have much in common 🇺🇸
Renee R. you’d have great difficulty not wearing a mask in MD
Dot F. oh it was not without difficulty here. Nevada is right next to California (crazy Ville) and our governor is bat 💩 crazy. I have dual citizenship 🇨🇦 🇺🇸. I am so upset with what is happening in my own country right now 😩😩 These are scary times! Losing a tooth in an already highly stressful
Situation on top of being a Speech Language Pathologist…. this was a tough year. The truth always comes out and will literally set us free eventually ❤️ 🙏🏼 I need to to believe and not lose hope 🇺🇸
You sound very similar to me. Very scary times. Every day the news is wise. My son lives in Ca.
Dot F. yeah I don’t watch the news (we don’t have cable) so no fear mongering here.
Renee R. I don’t turn it on much but on the net too much