Hi guys. I recently had to have my #18 molar extracted (furthest back molar on left side). It ended up abscessing and I chose to get it pulled versus dealing with a risky root canal that the dentist could not guarantee would work.
I was wondering if anyone has gotten an implant and if so, how did the surgery go? How have you enjoyed them? I have read a lot about them, but I would like to actually read true life experiences versus what the dentist propaganda suggests.
Thanks for the input.

 

My wife has had a few and they worked fine. She is very happy with them. My mother has had a few and she had a great deal of trouble with them. I don't think my mother's dentist was qualified to do them.

 

My 19 yr old DD had one done...it was a tooth close to the front (she was born with an incisor which grew in the opposite direction than it was supposed to and had it removed at age 8) and she said she felt pressure up into her eyesocket when it was being implanted (screwed in). She also had a clotting problem and I had to rush her back to the Dr. within hours of having it done-- so they could re-inject her with novacaine to help make the bleeding stop.

That being said...a year later she LOVES it.

Personally, I've been missing a molar on my left side for a decade...and don't really mind.

 

If you have a tooth in the bottom beneath the molar that was extracted, then an implant would be a good idea since the tooth on the bottom needs to meet that tooth on the top or it may become loose or wobbly causing an eventual loss of another tooth or throwing off your bite and possibly leading to nerve pain in your jaw. Otherwise, I see no real reason to replace it and go through the ordeal of some pain and/or discomfort not only in your mouth but to your bank account as well.

 

I've had 3 done, no problems at all, can't tell you what each cost as they were covered by insurance. I'm missing 1 molar on top left that didn't have enough bone left, so I do without 1 tooth, no big deal.

 

My +1 is a now retired Dental Assistant. She says go for it, but really go to a Dentist who does a lot of them. If you're in an urban area and willing to do a little research, try to find the dentist that OTHER dentists use for their own work.

 

Thank you for all of the replies so far. Unfortunately, I live in a small area, so I may have to do a little travel. My oral surgeon mentioned the idea to me because he does them, so I may choose to go with him. I want to wait for a little bit to see how I do without the last molar back there. It wont be noticeable, but I just don't know how it will affect my ability to chew.
I don't have any molars under it, I had my wisdom teeth extracted when they began to come in because I have a small mouth.
Plankfarm, have you had any problems with your teeth shifting as a result of the missing molar? I have heard so many mixed reviews on the subject.

 

I just had #19 replaced with an implant, so far so good. The only worry is that the implanted post is quite small relative to the molar that is fitted on top of the post, so there is a leverage problem if I happen to put too much pressure on the edge of the large molar. By the way, the crown that is fitted on the abuttment does not sit on the gum like a regular crown, there is a small gap between the crown and the gum so you can floss under the crown. Watch out for food getting caught under the crown.

 

The tooth above shifted very slightly. No terrible shifting there at all.
The teeth on either side (its one tooth in from the back...and wisdom teeth never broke through the gum) are still secure.
There is gum loss in the area...eventually it may make it down to the jaw area, but I don't expect to see the bone come through.
Am I naive? I hope not.
I'm trusting My dentist (who is quite good) and he has never said, "You should get an implant and a crown there". In fact, once I brought up the 'bridge' concept for that area with him, and he did not jump on the opportunity to make $$$ and do one. He IS the one who suggested my daughter get the implant, and recommended an excellent Dr. to do so, so I trust his judgement.

 

Don't use the same dentist as White S2k; you should never have an exposed margin or a poor color match, period.
If your dentists refers you to another dentist for a specific procedure, you probably already have a damn good dentist.