Hello again everyone,
I've been advised to get two upper implants.. whats the procedure for this? Is it done at the end of treatment? I have no gaps for them.. is it done surgically? If not, do u get local anaesthetic/is it painful?
Thanks

Printemps if you use the search tool, you should find a few members of this board who've had implants. Also Brandyleigh details here recent implant surgery with photos. Definitely worth reading.

Use google to find more information ... here's a few to start your research ...
http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant
http://www.smilessentials.com.au/dental_implants.php

Enjoy researching and learning!

Since the implants won't move like regular teeth, the way it is done is (as I think you surmised) to open up an appropriate gap during orthodontic treatment, then after treatment is completed you go ahead and get the implants.

Betty Bat has just started the process of getting her implants placed, as mentioned in this thread.

thanks! eek it looks scary

There are several good sections with info on implants at http://www.animated-teeth.com/:

What are tooth implants (dental implants)?
What type of dental patient makes a good candidate for having tooth implants placed?
Evaluating the suitability of a patient for tooth implants: The dental examination

Hi Meryaten,

I lost a tooth due to a badly done root canal. Its been one year into treatment and my orthodontist is trying to close that gap for me. I really want to open the gap as there is now only two mm left and go for an implant instead. I was wondering can orthodontist open gaps if there isnt one to start of with. If so then i guess i can put my mind at ease knowing my little gap can open too for an implant.

Im the odd nut case where the side with the gap being closed is causing some strange facial change that doesnt look good.

In theory, yes. But it may not be possible in specific cases, or may not work out as hoped - see, for example, iBorg's situation - the hope was to open enough space to replace his extracted premolars with implants, but it's looking now as if they won't be able to open up enough space for that.

My inexpert advice would be to consult not only with your ortho about this, but also with a prosthedontist so verify before moving ahead whether it is felt that the bone will be adequate to support an implant.

Hopefully the pros will chime in with some more useful info than I can offer.

Howdy,
I am the aforementioned Betty Bat who just got her implants this week (well, I got the first part, anyway).

I suspect that the links that Meryaten provided will give you an excellent description of implants, what they can do, the procedures, etc. Here's my addition as a "real life" case.

I had two baby teeth with no permanent teeth behind them. One was pulled when I was 12. As time went on (40 years of time!), my teeth started to shift around because of the space left after the departure of the baby tooth. I decided to get braces to correct the shifting, and my dentist recommended that I get an implant to fill in the space. At this point, I still had a baby tooth sitting there in my jaw - and I was 52 years old. The tooth wasn't in very good shape and both the tooth and the roots were much smaller than the other teeth, so I had the baby tooth pulled, along with a wisdom tooth, in preparation for my braces.

Unlike you, I had two spaces where the implants would go. I'm surprised that you would be advised to get implants if you don't have gaps for them to fill in. While I was in braces, I had a spring to widen the gap where the baby tooth had been out for 40 years - this was really one of the main benefits of my braces. My dentist said that he could have put in an implant in the smaller space, but it would be better if the space was widened. So, I had it widened. All in all, my braces experience went very well. I would expect that if you really don't have a gap where the implant would go or if the gap was small, then the ortho would use springs to widen the gap - and, IT DOESN'T HURT! I had no problem with my spring.

Before my braces went on, I had a consultation with an implant specialist to see if I would be a good candidate for implants. I would recommend this very highly. There are conditions under which implants are not suitable. Again, I think Meryaten's links will fill you in on this.

Initially, my implant specialist said that the implant surgery could be done 3 months before the braces came off. My ortho recommended waiting until after the braces came off, just to let everything settle in post-braces. I took my ortho's advice and had the implant surgery a month after my braces came off. I was told by my implant specialist that the surgery could be done before the braces came off, but he said that the wire would have to be removed pre-surgery, just for better access to your jaw.

Yes, it is surgery. I took a tranquilizer that the implant guy prescribed and then got local anesthetic in my jaw. I don't remember a thing after they swabbed my face and mouth with an antiseptic. Honestly, that's the last thing I remember. My husband drove me home and I took a long nap.

Knock wood, I haven't had any problems or any pain in the 4 days since the surgery. I'm taking an antibiotic and using Chlorhexidine mouthwash and rinsing with dilute peroxide.

The implants will heal for several months and then my dentist will install the teeth on them.

So, that's my story so far. I have a checkup with the implant guy in two weeks. Oh, and I guess the biggest problem is that I haven't been wearing my retainer since the implants went in because I need to go to my ortho to get it adjusted. You don't want to mess up the posts while they are healing.

Hope this helps. The biggest pain is in the pocketbook. Most insurance companies don't cover implants.

What I was told was the space needs to be 6.5 mm. Greater is better. I'll end up about 2 mm short unless the molars are moved. Since we're talking premolar spaces, I'd just as soon move them forward and save the hassle of a bridge. In the months ahead, I'll see which way Dr. P wants to go.

The downside of implants is the cost. The upside is they are for all intents and purposes permanent. Bridges have a bit of a limited life span.

Good luck.

Mike

_________________
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.

In my case an implant wasn't an option for the gap where my impacted canine lies fused. The OS said I had the choices of ... closing the gap, or opening it for a bridge or plate.

My ortho explained these options to me and said he'd prefer to close the gap, although this would also be the longer way to go. About six months into closing the gap, we had a discussion about 'maybe' opening the gap, as it hadn't closed as much as he'd hoped. He said this would be done with springs and then I'd have a bridge or plate made after my teeth were naked. We decided to give the gap some more time ... and it's now 19 months since work to close the gap started ... it's over half closed ... so it's very slow ... but it's closing!

Kimous talk to your ortho about what you'd prefer and ask for his advice. good luck!

I'd just like to reiterate that, if at all possible, you should talk with an implant specialist as soon as you can. I talked with my dentist first, who sent me to an implant specialist, recommended the ortho I went to, and finally recommended the oral surgeon I went to.

If you're considering implants, you may as well find out if you are a candidate before you get too far down that path. If you're not a candidate, your braces treatment might take a different direction.

Hope this helps.

Here's some great video's showing implant surgery from start to finish.

Blue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ-ysWXQ ... ed&search=

Check this video if u wnat a idea of what's involved. Warning ...Can be gross n Bloody but hey isn't all surgery.

Here's one using mini implants. Yes there are different types so always do your research

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dn-31yv ... ed&search=

Here's one for the Molars (Back Teeth) that require 2 implants for these bigger teeth.

I might have to get this when braces come off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7r-pr4w ... ed&search=

Here's one where the Pre-Molar is pulled and a immediate implant is used .


PS: Pre-Molar's are the teeth on the sides right after the canines.

Center teeth are you Centrals ..then Lateral's then canines then pre molars 1st and 2nd... then your Molars 1st and 2nd then your wisdom teeth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGqYP1nw ... ed&search=

Here's one for the entire upper teeth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAUdiRt ... ed&search=

This one is good also. They use ceraroot zirconia and show how the mold is made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLmNjm_f ... ed&search=

This one is great !! Shows how a bone graft is done first then implant. Wait a few secs when u think it ends cause the vid will show you the end results with tooth in place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EnVRc-j ... ed&search=

Hmmm A dentist invented Bubble Gum !!!

See how it's made..LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z69N3zwJ ... ed&search=

_________________
Brace's -In-Ovations
Top Wired 2-1-05 / Bottom 10-9-06
Implants being used as anchor's where the wisdom teeth use to be.

thanks so much fro all the feedback-its interesting stuff.. the procedure isnt what i expected at all, ie having to wait a few months for the tooth! Although i hear u can get a temporary tooth called a flipper? i think saw a picture of one and it look like a retainer with a tooth on the side! is ithat what a flipper is like?

Bluerain,

I need an implant. After watching that first video, I think I may look at other options. I started thinking about that steel rod in my face, and I think a space sounds just fine now!

I had a lower jaw implant in March 2006. Nothing to it.

I think I took an Advil that night, but overall it was not painful to me. The most painful part was the liquid diet that I had to be on for 1 week afterward. You just have to be extra vigilent with the prescription mouthwash to prevent infection and you can't brush your teeth right away.

Good luck. It is not bad at all.