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I have a question and I keep experiencing transference when I try asking my ortho/dentist/surgeon....I need an implant (lower molar). Right now the space is being held open with a spring. I was wondering what my options might be regarding the implant. For those who've gotten an implant -- is it possible to get an implant while still in braces or do they make you wait til you're debraced? Thing is, I will be in braces for another year, but I'm so tired of this whole set-up with the spring and having this gap.
sorry i don't have an answer for this - I would love more information. i too am getting the back and forth with the dentist/surgeon/ortho. i have a big hole where my canine is supposed to be, it looks terrible and the thought of waiting till braces are off seems a loooong time. i know that the implant screw needs to be put in first, then it needs to heal for quite some time before the actual tooth is screwed onto it. i was hoping the screw could at least be put in while the braces are on to save some time...
I had my lower left first molar removed in May and was told I would need to wait until I was finished with braces to have the implant (about 18 months). This information was given to me by both the periodontist and the orthodontist. I have a big gap where the tooth was - it is not being held open by a spring or anything.
It is annoying to have a gap, but I figure there's nothing I can do about it at this point.
I have also been informed that the process of getting an implant is a lengthy one as well, with a long period of healing time after the implant is put in before I can get the crown put on.
I had braces and got two implants after the braces were taken off. I was told by the implant specialist that they can put the little screw into your jaw before the braces are taken off, but the ortho recommended that I wait until the braces were off and everything settled down. I don't remember how long before the braces came off the implant guy suggested - it was either 6 weeks or 3 months, but since I didn't go that route, I just forgot the number. Yes, I had springs (two of them, one on each side) to hold the space open. Depending on your situation, you may need to have the space widened via the braces before the implant goes in. That was my situation; I had a space for almost 40 (!) years and my other teeth shifted around to fill the hole; but 40 years is probably a lot longer than you will be waiting.
The springs were OK, didn't hurt, and didn't show too much - but they do tend to collect food when you are eating!
My implant screws were placed in October, 2007 and my caps were put on in April, 2008. It is a lengthy process, but you don't have to do anything while you are waiting! My advice is to see an implant specialist (or whoever is going to do your implant). My implant specialist, ortho, and dentist worked together and I was very happy with the result.
If you would like more information on implants, please post more questions! (Or you can look at some of my previous posts about them.)
From what I understand these are the main differences:
Implant gets permanently fixed into jaw, lasts round 30 yrs, downside is it is very invasive and takes a while to heal.
Bridge lasts round 15 yrs, less invasive as attached behind the two neighbouring teeth but those teeth suffer as they get filed down, depending on the bridge you get, some are not good enough to bite normally with.
Any opinions would be great!
Emerald
******* I had self-ligating braces for 4 years & 8 months.
I'm now in Hawley retainers for top jaw (during day) and Essix retainers for bottom jaw (at night).
