needing an implant after braces?

Message

#1 Post by **lauren** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:09 am

Hi all,
I'm scheduled to get my braces put in on Monday and I'm scared to death, lol. But a main reason is that once all is said and done, I'll need to get an implant.

I am missing my top right lateral incisor. Weird genetic thing. (I have an extra one on the bottom, too, lol). I'll have to have a gap formed on the top and then get an implant done. He's giving me a "flipper" in the mean time but shortly after I"ll have to get an implant.

Have any of you had one of these done? What was the cost? Was it worth it to you? this makes me feel like I shouldn't even bother getting braces. I'm already spending $6500 on the braces, and I get the feeling my implant will be super expensive. :\

#2 Post by **Red Raider Fan** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:31 am

Same here, I am having to get a fixed bridge to replace a molar that was extracted 9 years ago. The molar next to the extraction tipped into the open gap and threw my bite way off. so I get a fixed bridge of 3 teeth. After insurance my part for the bridge will be around $1200. But I will have a perfect bite and a perfect smile. I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!

#3 Post by **Sweety** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:37 am

Hi...I am also to get implant after braces are removed. My OS quoted 1500 for 1 implant and my insurance doesn't cover it. I think most insurance don't cover it or may cover some part. I feel implant will be worth for the money. So don't worry.

#4 Post by **jaswi** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:10 am

I had an ex with an implant once. I don't remember how much it cost, but it made a world of difference.

It seems like you could get your dentist to charge insurance if you have it, by writing it up as a replacement tooth or something, I'm sure they have their ways.

#5 Post by **Kat** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:38 pm

I need a implant on a molar.
Almost to the end of treatment and I find I need a bone graft as well to do the implant because of a fallen sinus.

$8,800 no insurance.

My ortho says that if I don't get the implant that the teeth will shift. He says the retainers hold the crowns but do not hold the roots. Roots will move. Asked my dentist about this and he says that's right.

Ortho says I'll be back in braces if I don't do it. No way I'm going back in braces but that amount of money leaves me cold for one tooth.

#6 Post by **Clo** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:51 am

Hi,

I saw in an earlier post of yours that you miss an upper incisor and have an extra
one in the lower arch. It made me think if it would be possible to autotransplant.
Take a lower one that looks best like an upper lateral and transplant it when there
is room made in the upper arch. Hmm, maybe too futuristic today. But I do know
they transplant teeth very successfully, and even more so if they autotransplant
(transplant in the same individual) ...

Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:01 pm

I have to get 1 implant after my jaw surgery and after my braces are taken off. I had to get one of my upper molar extracted thanks to my old dentist. I had needed a root cannelle done but he had only closed 1 out of the 3 roots so the tooth just kept getting infected. My new dentist tried to fix it up but it just wasn't working so it had to get extracted. Presently right now i have a spring attached to the upper left braces that is creating a space for the implant that is going to be coming sometime after my braces are off and my jaw is fully healed. I don't know yet for sure if my insurance will cover it but i do know it needs to be done. Does it hurt to get an implant???? does anyone know?

#8 Post by **lauren** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:19 pm

Thanks everyone!

Clo - thank you SO MUCH! I never even knew that was an option. I'm going to ask my ortho about it tomorrow when I get braced!

#9 Post by **Betty Bat** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:58 pm

Yep, I'm one of the folks with implants. I was missing two lower teeth - another case of weird genetics aka hypodontia. I had baby teeth in those two spots but no permanent teeth behind them. One baby tooth was pulled when I was 12 and over the course of 40 years, my teeth shifted around and into the gap - that's why I got my braces. The second baby tooth was pulled when I was 54, so those suckers can stay around for a long time.

My implants went very, very well and I don't regret getting them. As many folks have said, the biggest pain from implants is in your wallet!

I would recommend strongly that you have a consultation with an implant specialist. That way, you will know if you are a candidate for implants, your implant specialist and your orthodontist can work together during your treatment, AND you'll know how much it will cost. There are some cases for which implants are not suitable - medical conditions, etc. - so it's good to get the information.

And, I know that some folks recommend flippers on a retainer. I had very bad luck with mine. Initially, I got my retainer with two flippers and one of them fell off less than a week after getting the retainer. Luckily, my implant surgery was scheduled a week after that, so the flippers would have been taken off anyway. But, I don't consider flippers to be a very good long term alternative.

P.S. Thanks for remembering, Meryaten.

#10 Post by **Gennel** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:39 am

Ugh... everytime I hear about implants I cringe...not because of the procedure but because of the cost

I am due to get my braces off in about 3-4 weeks. I need two molars on the bottom. My ortho has asked me a few times have I talked to a oral surgeon about the implants. I did briefly talk to my oral surgeon about implants but the cost is about $5,000-$6,000. Its money I dont have and can't put on a monthly payment plan either. The way I see it is ,unless I win the lottery I won't be getting the implants:( The braces already cost $5,500 plus about
another $2,500 that we've spent on extractions and other dental work

I have a question about moving roots? Does it matter if I have Essix retainers or Hawley retainers to keep my teeth and roots aligned? I'm in braces now ....what's keeping my roots in place now then?

Braces are keeping my teeth aligned doesn't a Essix retainer do the same?

Sorry to intrude into your thread but I just thought about this since I read your thread.

Gennel

#11 Post by **Emerald** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:25 pm

Interesting stuff about the implants.

I need either an implant or bridge to replace a missing upper central incisor.

#12 Post by **Jill52** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:41 pm

I had one implant done before braces, and will probably get another one after. Often, the price quoted for an implant is misleading because it doesn't include everything. For example, I was quoted about 1500 for an implant. That was just the surgery part of putting the post into the jawbone. There was another unexpected 400 to pay on a subsequent visit. And then I paid for the actual tooth to be made. That cost the same as a crown - about 1500. With other odds and ends like prescription mouthwash and antibiotics, it came to almost 4000 in total to get one tooth. However, I am very happy with it!

So anyone who is thinking about implants, just be sure to find out ALL the costs involved.