Having full dental implant surgery

[skateboy]

So I'm having full dental implant surgery on May 4. Not a few implants, I'm having all my teeth yanked and replaced with permanent dental implants (not dentures).

After researching for almost three years, this was not an impulsive decision. Bottom line: I've had many problems with my teeth over the years and have already had twelve of them pulled. (You can't really see this, as most are in the back, although I've worn a partial for my four lower front teeth for awhile.) I've also had some awful experiences with dentists, so I'm very ready and excited to take this big step. The procedure is known as All-On Four. I absolutely love the doctors that will be performing the procedure and have complete faith in them. Also, I'm aware of what (and what not) to expect in the weeks/months following the surgery.

Just curious: has anyone else been through this, or know someone who has? Thanks.

 

[quartz]

Wow, that sounds like quite the undertaking! I wish you all the best, and speedy healing. I have horrible teeth, and I can see myself in a similar situation in a few years. What is the recovery time for such a procedure?

 

[ChelleC]

I wish you all the best!

 

[skateboy]

Wow, that sounds like quite the undertaking! I wish you all the best, and speedy healing. I have horrible teeth, and I can see myself in a similar situation in a few years. What is the recovery time for such a procedure?

Aww thanks, @quartz . The procedure is done in one day: I go in at 6:00 a.m., get prepped, the surgery is around 7:30 and I'll be knocked out for 2-3 hours while they extract all the teeth. Then I'm in a recovery room watching TV for a few hours (and loopy as hell, I'm sure), then they affix the temporary teeth (which are held in by screws into the bone, 4 on the upper and 4 on the lower. Then I go home (sister driving me).

As for the recovery, any pain I'll feel will be at its worst in the 2nd through the 4th day after the procedure. I'm planning to go back to work after five days and I'm told that it should be fine. And they'll supply me with heavy duty painkillers, if needed (some patients haven't needed them at all). The healing takes 2-3 weeks. I'll have to eat soft foods for 3-4 months (soups, mushy vegetables/fruit, smoothies, etc.). After six months, I go back to have the permanent teeth affixed, but it's not a big surgical deal, I don't have to be knocked out. They just remove the screws, take out the temporaries, then screw in the permanents. After a few weeks I can eat anything I want. And I never have to deal with tooth/gum pain or dentists ever again!

I won't lie, it's not cheap. But it's pretty much like leasing a new car: I made a chunky down payment and will be paying it off monthly for the next 2-3 years. It's an investment in my dental (and general) health that I've decided is worth it.

 

[skateboy]

I wish you all the best!

Thank you!

 

[Japanfan]

I too have major dental issues, and my dentist recommended I get quite a few implants. I've already lost a lot of my teeth, more than half perhaps. I've got an upper denture and will be getting a lower one within the year. There has been so much work the past few years that I don't even remember it all. Fortunately, Mr. Japanfan has a dental plan that covers me. When I say I sought to "marry a man with a dental plan" I'm not joking! (Never had my own, as I'm self-employed)

The cost was far more than I could bear, as my insurance covers 0 for implants. I've got a crown or two already, and had to pay a portion of that. I think I had to pay a portion for the dentures, as well, and will have to do the same for the next dentures. My dentist would handily take my entire life savings and then some, if I'd allow it.

I did consider getting the implants done in Mexico, but the thought of a one day implant process for $250.00 terrified me. I contacted one clinic that kept on calling me back and promising that the dental director of the clinic himself would talk to me. Obviously a money grab, and I don't think cheap is the way to go when it comes to one's teeth.

So, I head into my 60s knowing that I some point, I shall be entirely toothless. The way I see it is is: there are worse things

Good luck with the whole thing skateboy, in any case.

 

[FiveRinger]

Wishing you all of the best. I am terrified of the dentist, so I will be the first to commend your bravery! Please keep us posted. I would love to hear about your experience.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Good luck, Skateboy! Sending good and quick recover vibes!

Your procedure interests me. I was born with crappy teeth, every single person on my Mom's side has dentures by the time they're 30 because of such brittle teeth. Please keep us updated on how this works for you. I'm tired of constantly getting crowns and caps, I may have to do the same in a few years!

 

[Aussie Willy]

Good luck with it.

 

[KCC]

I have one implant and consider it a great investment. The old tooth was filled twice, capped, had a root canal and then pulled for the implant. I wish I could have done the implant sooner, as it would have saved me big bucks in the long run.

I would do the implant again in a heartbeat. No problems since (but the again, I do try to take very good care of my teeth and gums. I'll be very interested in hearing how your procedure works out.

 

[el henry]

My spousal unit has had four implants, two at a time: two a few years ago and two this year. I have to say, since we do not have dental insurance, my first thought for you was the cost: knowing how much just the two this year have cost makes me cry. Two Worlds' trips, at least.

So I can't tell you what the multiple implant process will feel like, but I will ask, I presume your implants include uppers that will be near your sinuses? This year's implants in that location gave spousal unit more trouble than the previous ones, as he needed bone graft, where he had absolutely no bone, and then sinus trouble kicked in. And blowing your nose, believe it or not, is a big no no. You may want to stock up on Claritin and tissues.

Best of luck, and smooth healing!

 

[BigB08822]

Best of luck, will be thinking of you on May 4th. May the 4th be with you!

 

[Cachoo]

Best wishes and please keep us updated.

 

[Lacey]

I have had two implants, both uppers, the second was far easier than the first because it was less invasive than the first (2nd was further front), 20 minutes, no sinus issues. I always refuse codeine painkillers, they make me crazy, but little red Advil was fine. Had bought all sort of frozen ices to eat, but didn't need, just used ice packs the first, maybe the second, day. Was surprised that straws were not permitted. I have never understood what is dry socket, make sure you look into that, I did not have it but understand that it can be serious. Of course, I cannot imagine the whole mouth. DD has friend who was going to get whole mouth done, but she did it as 3 part (not 2) process...removal, implant and then final. But the cost she quoted was...scary.

 

[BaileyCatts]

Can I ask how old you are? You don't have to give an exact age, just wondering your age span? I have had dental issues as well and this whole thread makes me go thinking I may end up going down this road. But the older I get, the more I'm like no way, I'm even more of a wuss now than when I was younger.

Good luck to you!

 

[AragornElessar]

I've had my own Dental Issues thanks to freezing/locals no longer working on me (my Kidney Specialist & I have talked about this, as whatever happened to cause this, happened when my kidneys failed. My Paternal Grandma had the same problem, so maybe it was always there, but dormant until...!?! Anyway...) & being on Predinsone for my Transplant 20+ yrs now. I've ended up losing a few molars over the years & have been thinking about Implants as an option for sometime down the road.

Good luck w/it all & hope all goes smoothly!! It sounds like you've done your homework & I'm sure things will go swimmingly.

 

[dinakt]

Good luck, may it all go the best way possible!

 

[skateboy]

Can I ask how old you are? You don't have to give an exact age, just wondering your age span? I have had dental issues as well and this whole thread makes me go thinking I may end up going down this road. But the older I get, the more I'm like no way, I'm even more of a wuss now than when I was younger.

Good luck to you!

My age: somewhere between puberty and death.

Seriously, I guess I have to admit that I am now approaching middle age. Turns out I'm younger than most having this procedure done, as the majority of their clients are in their 60s and 70s. But I need to have it done now. Despite taking care of my teeth the best I know how, my dental problems have have gotten worse and would continue to do so. (By the way, I'm having this done at Clear Choice Dental Implant Center, of which there are a number throughout the country. I'm lucky to have one right here in my hometown.)

Thanks to everyone for all the support. I will definitely give you an update, once I've had the surgery on May 4th.

 

[skateboy]

Bumping this up to say that my dental implant surgery is bright and early tomorrow morning. I've had a fair amount a stress during the waiting period, but now I'm just ready to get in there and have it done.

Thanks again everyone, for your great support. I'll check in with a report as soon as I can. Wish me luck!

 

[Aussie Willy]

All the best with it.

 

[Spun Silver]

Good luck, @skateboy. I hope it is as painless and quick-healing as possible and that you are delighted with the results.

 

[FiveRinger]

It's going to go well! I am sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

 

[skatesindreams]

Good luck, @skateboy. I hope it is as painless and quick-healing as possible and that you are delighted with the results.

Wishing you the very best today!

 

[LilJen]

Yep, you're younger than most. But since you're younger than most you *should* have a good foundation of bone to support the implants. (Copyedited an implant journal for too many years.) All-on-Four seems to be a well-established procedure, and yes, you'll have a fair amount of pain to begin with, but it's a one-and-done thing.

Biggest thing for you is to take REALLY REALLY good care of all of it. If you let your hygiene slide at all you can have major complications. Good luck with it and I hope all went well!

 

[Simone411]

@skateboy wishing you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

@LilJen I'm glad you stated what you did about having a good foundation of bone to support those implants. I had beautiful healthy teeth until I had the Necrotizing Fasciitis. My body was trying to find nutrients anywhere it could in order to survive. That's how my doctors explained it to me. The nutrients were used up out of my upper teeth and finger nails. I had a ridge across each finger nail which was freaky. I had to take strong vitamins, minerals, supplements to build my muscles back up and to replace the nutrients I had lost. It worked on my finger nails, but the nutrients in my teeth couldn't be replaced.

Sooner or later, I will have to get upper dentures. I don't think I could possibly get implants because of what happened.

 

[Skittl1321]

I hope this goes well!

My dentist told me much of tooth health is hereditary; "taking care of your teeth" only does so much.

 

[Wiery]

Wishing you a successful surgery today!

 

[twinsissv]

Good luck! Your smile is waiting for you!

 

[Moto Guzzi]

Best wishes for a quick and pain-free recovery!

I've had two implants about 3 years apart. I had two baby teeth on my lower jaw that didn't have permanent teeth underneath. My dentists did a very good job of keeping them repaired through the years, but they finally had to be replaced. The worst and most painful thing about dental implants is paying for them.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Hope everything is going well, Skateboy!