Metal Mouth Message Board

I’m curious how implants are handled with regular braces. My back molar is an implant and I'm wondering if it would normally be banded or just left alone. Even if the implant doesn't get any gear would having a spacer next to it cause any problems? Since the implant cost $2500 and a lot of pain, plus no insurance coverage for implants, I don't want anything to happen to it.

I realize this is something I need go over with the doctor but getting as much information as possible ahead of time real helps reduce my anxiety of getting braces for the second time.

Two more weeks until the first consult. The waiting is the worst part, it gives me way too much time to think!

Thanks!

I've read that implants can't be moved with braces, so I guess they would leave it alone. Hopefully it is in a good position.

I have no information on this, but I laughed when I read the subject line. Why? I was thinking of OTHER implants!! LOL (hint: FEMALE ones...) Ooops!!! LOL

Hello wcllana,
Starrzz is correct about implants cannot be moved with braces under any circumstance. I am currently in braces(6 month mark) and after my teeth and bite are in the correct position and the braces are taken off I will receive two implants. My Ortho and Dentist have both explained to me that once the implants are "set" that they cannot be moved. That is why it's critical your surrounding teeth are in the right location and there is plenty of room for the implant. Hopefully that answers your question.

Now, I have two questions for you. First, I have heard so many different prices for implants that I have no idea what is fact and fiction. I know prices vary from region to region and Dr. to Dr., but I am very unclear on the "total." When I say "total" I mean the actual implant, drugs, the crown, and whatever other parts I am not aware. The last question is the typical "how painful was it to get implants?"

Thank you for answering my questions and I hope I have helped you in your questions. If you need more help....let me know. Good luck.

Cost for my implant five years ago was a little over $2600; about $1950 to the oral surgeon for the post and around $650 to the dentist for the crown. I live in the Midwest, Detroit/Toledo area. Drugs were various antibiotics taken pre and post surgery, chlorhexidine gluconate rinse and painkillers (T3s or Vicodin). The drugs were the only part covered by insurance.

I would not get an implant from anyone other than an oral surgeon, preferably one that has completed several thousand. Even having one of the most experienced surgeons in my state I still developed an infection and had to have the post and crown removed. After healing for six months I was able to have the procedure repeated, with the doctor having me take a more aggressive round of pre-surgical antibiotics before the second surgery. Infection is a common complication and the implant company covered the entire cost of the repeat surgery and crown.

I also found that the chlorhexidine gluconate rinse significantly increass plaque formation. You can't really do anything about it except get a cleaning as soon as healing permits after surgery and crown fitting. My hygienist said she was really surprised how much plaque I had since she usually has to do very little work on my teeth. Make sure you tell them it’s the rinse so they don’t think you’ve been slacking on your cleaning!

I have a very high tolerance for dental procedures and I normally don't require gas. I didn't get it and regretted it. It’s a rather long procedure so that might have been part of the problem. Also the sound of bone being drilled into is not pleasant, especially when it’s your own, so I recommend an iPod.

When the crown was fitted a month or so after the post was placed the oral surgeon used what looked like a wrench to tighten the crown down on the post. I could feel that through my entire jaw and it was way worse than anything I experienced with my braces.

But after everything was finally settled I have been very pleased with the implant. It was a much better choice than a bridge; I didn't have to have two other perfectly good teeth ruined for a bridge and I don't have to worry about flossing around bridge for the rest of my life. The crown sits just above the gums so it does attract food particles and requires a little extra attention in flossing but other than that is just like any other tooth except it will never get a cavity!