Dental implant support needed

[MissJoy]

I can use some support right now. I started by dental journey just over a month ago after not being to the dentist for some time. So far the experience has been going well. I'm focused on the future and it keeps me going. I've been taking my treatments day by day and they have not been hard to handle. Deep cleaning, filling replacements, crown placement. So the next and biggest step in my treatment plan is a dental implant to replace a molar that was extracted a few years ago. I've overcome my general anxiety with the dentist but I'm terrified of having an implant screwed into my jaw. It's ultimately my decision but getting an implant now will prevent me from having future problems in the future. At this point, I've had so much dental work this year because of my previous fear and neglect. I'm not making that mistake again.

I can use some reassuring stories to help me get through this. If you've had an implant I would love to hear about it. I have not had my consultation so I'm not sure if I will need a bone graft yet. My molar was extracted 3 years ago so there's a chance I will. I think what scares me most is going under the knife, the healing process, and the whole duration of this. It could be 6 months and more if grafting is needed.

 

[n2opls]

n/a

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Hello MissJoy,

I wanted to encourage you, last year i had an emergency tooth pull as well , well there had been an empty space next to it and I am missing a few on upper left so the dentist I was going to at the time. Very much rushed me into doing an implant at that moment. he said I could do a payment plan , quick go to the toher room "lets do it before you have a chance to think about it".. he knew I researched alot.. and got scared...well it was very quick the placement . but this particular dentist scared me a bit so i ended up moving to my current dentist who I finished the implant process with.

It can be a long process mine was maybe 6 months from start to finish and honestly nothing really hurt bad it was mostly the waiting and the anxiety of "is this going to work".. that really got to me. My dentist was super sweet and patient and explained everything along the way. and made it really pretty easy when I was there for my appts.. and I'm soooo glad I have mine now. I love it and I can eat better !! They are expensive so if I had not been pushed into it I probably woulnd't have done it.. but.. if you can ... I can say.. it was truly worth it . New experiences are always a bit anxious especially at the dentist.. but please let us know how it goes!!!

 

[MissJoy]

Thank you krlovesherkids777 for replying to my post and the encouragement. I'm glad to hear your implant was successful. I wish I had done it when my molar was removed but I was so scared and it kept me from going back to the dentist until now. You are right, new experiences at the dentist bring out the most anxiety. Looking back at everything I've been through, I realize none was as bad as I imagined. For implants I've done a lot of research and all of the writing is always the perspective of the dentist educating the patient. Knowing what to expect and hearing it from someone who has been through it helps a lot. I have a couple of specific questions. Were you sedated? Did you have to take time off work after your procedures while you healed? Did you see a specialist? My dentist performs implants but I know oral surgeons and periodontists do them as well.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Thank you krlovesherkids777 for replying to my post and the encouragement. I'm glad to hear your implant was successful. I wish I had done it when my molar was removed but I was so scared and it kept me from going back to the dentist until now. You are right, new experiences at the dentist bring out the most anxiety. Looking back at everything I've been through, I realize none was as bad as I imagined. For implants I've done a lot of research and all of the writing is always the perspective of the dentist educating the patient. Knowing what to expect and hearing it from someone who has been through it helps a lot. I have a couple of specific questions. Were you sedated? Did you have to take time off work after your procedures while you healed? Did you see a specialist? My dentist performs implants but I know oral surgeons and periodontists do them as well.

Thanks again for your help.

Miss Joy, to answer your questions, I was not sedated. I was only given local for all of my procedures and it was enough. believe me I make sure I tell them VERY clearly I need enough local . its important! even for small things. thankfully my dentist now always gives to me to make sure I am comfortable. I can say that after some of the procedures there was minimal after pain due to inflamation , and I took some mostly tylenol/advil . I did not take any time off of work for healing, its actually been a pretty smooth healing , nothing to take time off... I only had one implant mind you .. not multiple but would do it again and wouldn't suspect time off. I did not see a specialist. I saw actually a younger general dentist with probably not quite the experience of some but very thoughtful and careful of all he did so I really trusted him. Trust goes along way and so for me, if you have a general dentist who you trust is gentle and listens .. I personally go with that but I know others who would rather specialists because of experience..I hope this helps..

 

[MissJoy]

n2opls - thank you for your previous message of encouragent. It does help to know I am not alone. I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier but I do appreciate you sharing with me. I hope your extraction heals well and your implant will be successful.

 

[Anxious76]

I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. One week from today I’m having multiple implants placed to replace my entire mouth full of teeth and I’m really scared. I’ll be sedated but like you I’m concerned with recovery afterward. I have read a lot of stories about it not being any worse than getting a filling and minimal discomfort like Krlovesherkids777 said. I had full mouth extractions and bone grafting done in September so it boggles my mind I can still be afraid of anything dental at this point but it’s the unknown. Like you said it’s almost always nowhere near as we have feared, so the best we can do is stay in the present moment and know that whatever comes we will find a way to get through it because we always have. I’m sure all will be well for us both.

 

[MissJoy]

Miss Joy, to answer your questions, I was not sedated. I was only given local for all of my procedures and it was enough. believe me I make sure I tell them VERY clearly I need enough local . its important! even for small things. thankfully my dentist now always gives to me to make sure I am comfortable. I can say that after some of the procedures there was minimal after pain due to inflamation , and I took some mostly tylenol/advil . I did not take any time off of work for healing, its actually been a pretty smooth healing , nothing to take time off... I only had one implant mind you .. not multiple but would do it again and wouldn't suspect time off. I did not see a specialist. I saw actually a younger general dentist with probably not quite the experience of some but very thoughtful and careful of all he did so I really trusted him. Trust goes along way and so for me, if you have a general dentist who you trust is gentle and listens .. I personally go with that but I know others who would rather specialists because of experience..I hope this helps..

Thank you - great advice! Your words have helped me tremendously. I know I can handle the procedure. The waiting and anticipation is a whole other story!

 

[MissJoy]

I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. One week from today I’m having multiple implants placed to replace my entire mouth full of teeth and I’m really scared. I’ll be sedated but like you I’m concerned with recovery afterward. I have read a lot of stories about it not being any worse than getting a filling and minimal discomfort like Krlovesherkids777 said. I had full mouth extractions and bone grafting done in September so it boggles my mind I can still be afraid of anything dental at this point but it’s the unknown. Like you said it’s almost always nowhere near as we have feared, so the best we can do is stay in the present moment and know that whatever comes we will find a way to get through it because we always have. I’m sure all will be well for us both.

Wow good luck with your procedure next week! I will be thinking of you and sending you good vibes. I have also read that it is not too bad. I've had an impacted wisdom tooth removed before and had sutures in my mouth from it. It really was not bad at all. Nothing advil couldn't handle. I am hoping this will be similar. I'm just so ready to be on the other side of all this.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

I SO hear you both... the whole 6 months or so I was so ready to be done and on the other side... every appt I didn't really know how it would really go , or what it would be like after , or anxious knows.. if my dentist would give up on me or fire me through the process. it was crazy... YES the waiting and healing game.. phew.. glad to be on the other side and you can and will make it too!! and it will be an incredible blessing once you get there!! phew!! one down the rest of the mouth to go LOL... ahh. not implants. for the most part.. but hey the implant is a start.. just got done with two more crowns and made it through that too! Wishing the best for you !!!

 

[Anxious76]

Wow good luck with your procedure next week! I will be thinking of you and sending you good vibes. I have also read that it is not too bad. I've had an impacted wisdom tooth removed before and had sutures in my mouth from it. It really was not bad at all. Nothing advil couldn't handle. I am hoping this will be similar. I'm just so ready to be on the other side of all this.

Thank you! Honestly the actual discomfort after a procedure is almost always less than what is anticipated. We’re going to be okay. I appreciate the encouragement and I will definitely let you know how goes. If I can get through it with ten I’m going to be your number one cheerleader!

 

[southside420]

I had my implant placed after I had my cracked tooth extracted and had 0 pain after the surgery. I took the medicine they prescribed but otherwise never experienced any pain whatsoever. I'm going for a follow up today so I hope all is well and nothing that's done to me is painful... I assume the stitches will be removed.

 

[MissJoy]

Wow, I can not believe it has been a year since I first posted this message. I have not been on the forums much because I finally made it to a place where I have really gotten over many dental fears and have been getting through my treatment plan and really smoothly.

I wanted to finally come back to post today to say, I DID IT! I finally had my implant surgery yesterday and I am so relieved to have it behind it. I was initially supposed to have surgery in the summer but I postponed it because of vacation plans, then I postponed it in the fall/winter because of the holidays. Honestly, I just kept making excuses to put it off.

Anyhow, I'm here to share my experience with hopes that it will help ease someone else's fears. It's exactly 24 hours since my surgery and I am feeling pretty great. It was really nothing like how I had it worked up in my head and I want everyone to know that they can do it too!

My surgery involved one implant to replace a molar I had extracted 4 years ago. I was lucky enough to have enough bone to support the implant, so no grafting was needed. But I was really nervous about the whole idea of having a screw placed inside my jaw and especially about the pain and recovery. Now that it's done, I can say my experience has been so smooth. I am really amazed at how good I feel right now. I was prescribed Tylenol with Codeine (just in case) but don't even need it. I'm taking ibuprofen and feel zero pain! I just keep taking another dosage before the meds wear off and it's working great. This morning I woke up after 9hrs, since my last dosage and I only felt minimal soreness. The inside of my cheek is slightly swollen but you can't tell my looking at my face. Zero bruising, zero problems.

The whole implant appointment took about an hour. I'd say a 1/3 of the time is waiting to feel 100% numb and having before & after photos and x-rays taken. I opted to stay awake with just local anesthesia. The surgery itself was painless. I did feel a little pressure from the grinding & drilling, but it really didn't feel any different from having cavities filled. If anything, the sound of the drill was much softer and not the high pitched loud drilling from having cavities filled. My dentist did tell me that my nerve is very low very far from the implant. So it's not surprising that I'm not feeling any pain or swelling. I had planned to be home for a few days hopped up on pain meds & icing a swollen face. Instead I have spent my day doing my usual routine and even did some gardening outside. I need to stay on soft foods until my stitches are removed in 2 weeks. After that, we wait 4 months and then have new xrays to see how the implant is doing and then phase 2. Fingers crossed everything continues to go smoothly!

Thanks everyone for their support in the past. I couldn't have made it this far without reading everyone's success stories and encouraging words.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Miss Joy.. Thank you so much for sharing your story, this is super encouraging , Sounds like a great experience with minimal discomfort. After all that worry you did it, it is really amazing how we put things off and then they end up really not being so bad.

 

[Wolfsrule18]

I’m currently in the process of finishing 10 implants in the front of my mouth. If it’s any reassurance the thought and anxiety is WAY worse then the actual procedure. I’ve had both my initial posts placed 5 months ago and the healing abutments placed 2 weeks ago. I only have the crowns left to go in another month or two.
I won’t lie there is definitely some pain involved but much less so then a painful tooth for example. After the posts were placed I was fine in 5 days and after the abutments I was fine in 3. You CAN DO THIS. I promise it will be so worth it.

 

[Scared all the time]

Wow, I can not believe it has been a year since I first posted this message. I have not been on the forums much because I finally made it to a place where I have really gotten over many dental fears and have been getting through my treatment plan and really smoothly.

I wanted to finally come back to post today to say, I DID IT! I finally had my implant surgery yesterday and I am so relieved to have it behind it. I was initially supposed to have surgery in the summer but I postponed it because of vacation plans, then I postponed it in the fall/winter because of the holidays. Honestly, I just kept making excuses to put it off.

Anyhow, I'm here to share my experience with hopes that it will help ease someone else's fears. It's exactly 24 hours since my surgery and I am feeling pretty great. It was really nothing like how I had it worked up in my head and I want everyone to know that they can do it too!

My surgery involved one implant to replace a molar I had extracted 4 years ago. I was lucky enough to have enough bone to support the implant, so no grafting was needed. But I was really nervous about the whole idea of having a screw placed inside my jaw and especially about the pain and recovery. Now that it's done, I can say my experience has been so smooth. I am really amazed at how good I feel right now. I was prescribed Tylenol with Codeine (just in case) but don't even need it. I'm taking ibuprofen and feel zero pain! I just keep taking another dosage before the meds wear off and it's working great. This morning I woke up after 9hrs, since my last dosage and I only felt minimal soreness. The inside of my cheek is slightly swollen but you can't tell my looking at my face. Zero bruising, zero problems.

The whole implant appointment took about an hour. I'd say a 1/3 of the time is waiting to feel 100% numb and having before & after photos and x-rays taken. I opted to stay awake with just local anesthesia. The surgery itself was painless. I did feel a little pressure from the grinding & drilling, but it really didn't feel any different from having cavities filled. If anything, the sound of the drill was much softer and not the high pitched loud drilling from having cavities filled. My dentist did tell me that my nerve is very low very far from the implant. So it's not surprising that I'm not feeling any pain or swelling. I had planned to be home for a few days hopped up on pain meds & icing a swollen face. Instead I have spent my day doing my usual routine and even did some gardening outside. I need to stay on soft foods until my stitches are removed in 2 weeks. After that, we wait 4 months and then have new xrays to see how the implant is doing and then phase 2. Fingers crossed everything continues to go smoothly!

Thanks everyone for their support in the past. I couldn't have made it this far without reading everyone's success stories and encouraging words.

Awesome to hear! I’m on that same road you were a year ago. I just had a molar extracted 2 months due to infection and contemplating an implant for the same reasons you did. I probably will need the bone graft i go interview my Endodontist Tuesday to see what he has to offer me ? glad you had such a positive experience gives me hope. Which molar did u have extracted/ implanted?

 

[MissJoy]

krlovesherkids777 - You're still here! I'm happy you saw my update. You did so much to help me when I first posted. Thank you.

Wolfsrule18 - Wow, congratulations. You are in the final stretch! You are absolutely right. The anxiety is way worse than the procedure. Seeing that this is true after every new procedure I have is what gives me courage for the next one. Thankfully this implant is the final "big" one on my treatment plan.

Scared all the time - It was my 2nd molar (#31.) Even though I'm not done with the whole implant process, I do highly recommend doing it sooner than later. My missing molar is on the bottom of my mouth. My dentist told me if didn't have an implant, the molar above it would slowly move down into the empty space. It's been 4 years and it's already happened. So now in addition to the implant, I need work on the tooth above to make room for the new molar. What is your biggest concern about having an implant?