I wrote sometime back that I am in the process of having all of my teeth pulled and will then be fitted for dentures. I am doing this at a slow pace due to other health issues that keep me from having them pulled all at one time.

My question is this ..can someone explain to me the cost difference in Denture Implants and Dental Implants. Plus the difference in cost of the regular denture implants verses the mini denture implants.

We may and I emphasis may be able to save two bottom teeth but if not then I would be interested in getting dentrue implants to help and secure the bottom denture. I have read that mini implants can be used and are less expensive.

I am also interested in implants to secure the top denture and to be able to cut back the plate as I have a pretty bad gag reflex.

I know about the expense of regular dental implants but my question is what should I expect to pay for denture implants or mini implants to secure the dentures and how does that procedure work.

Hi.

I never knew one could get denture implants.

Seems way better to get these then a removable plate, right.

I can only guess how expensive this might be.

melody

Hi timeless,

Denture implants are the same thing as dental implants and are placed surgically into the jawbone. The size of the implant is chosen according to the needs of the patient. The anatomy and health of the bone is taken into consideration along with the reason for placing the implant. Mini implants are simply a small dental implant that is frequently used to help secure a full denture in patients who may be lacking enough bone depth for a larger dental implant.

The cost of most denture/dental implants are similar irrelevant of which ones are used. The mini implants may be a slight bit less expensive per implant, but you may need to have more of them depending on the bone structure.

The price of the implant retained denture is more expensive than a regular denture because it is more complex and more costly to fabricate than a regular denture. Sometimes, an existing denture can be altered by the dental lab to accomodate newly placed dental implants. It depends on how old and how well the denture fits in the first place. This too can be very costly to do.

The usual process for an implant retained denture .......

The teeth are removed. Sometimes implants are put in immediately, other times the extraction sites need to heal for a few months before the implant surgery can be done.

A regular temporary denture is worn during the healing phase of the extractions and then again during the healing phase of the implants.

A new denture is made to snap into the implants and that denture is placed after the tops of the implants are surgically exposed.

All of this can take 6 months to a year (or so) to complete.

The fees for an implant retained denture vary according to the geographical area and lab costs. Your best bet is to speak to your dentist about what type of implants he thinks may work for you and what options you have with regard to having an implant retained denture made.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know how you are doing =)

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna for ALL the great info.

Know what fascinates me? That people can actually sit in that dental chair, get all numbed up and calmly sit there while a dentist takes out all their teeth, goes into the bone, blah blah.

I can't even get my head wrapped around this.

My heart starts to beat because normally, I'm phobic and I'm lucky that recently I went to my dentist who, thankfully assured me, I'm perfectly fine, told me that indeed, my problem was a TMJ flare-up (I've been fine eve since), and that my dental x-rays showed no problems.

Maybe it's because there is no sugar in my diet, no chips, (which I've been told are REALLY bad for the teeth), and I thankfull, do not eat raisins.

I once had a dentist tell me "the one food I tell my patients to keep away from are RAISINS. They are like Dental Napalm"

I will never forget that conversation.

Melody

Hi Melody,

You are welcome =)

Just so you know....... most people do not sit "calmly" in the dental chair for any procedure. Some are more anxious and figedy than others... but fear of being in the dental chair is a very real and common thing. It is so important for the dentist and his staff to be understanding and sensitive to the needs of their patients. I encourage patients to speak up irrelevant of how unimportant they think their fears are because sometimes just the simplest effort on our part can make the dental visit a whole lot better!!!

About the diet issues..... all forms of refined sugar (baked goodies) and all sticky foods (like raisins) or foods that get stuck in between the teeth (chips) will cause cavities if they are left on the teeth. All acidic foods will cause a breakdown of the tooth enamel and predispose the teeth to decay.
That's why it is imperative to brush and floss thoroughly to remove all of those nasty little critters.

Bryanna

See?? that's why I come here. TO READ, TO LEARN, TO APPLY.

and I do.

lol

Melody

AND to share your valuable experiences too!! =))

You might see if there is a dental school in your area. I go to one in Birmingham, AL (about an hour and a half drive). They are slower getting things done sometimes, but about half the price of going to a regular dental office. They have all of the latest technology and everything they do is overseen or checked by the instructors (hence, some of the slowness). I had all of my uppers extracted and got bone grafts in March with an immediate denture. I'm now most likely going to get an implant denture...one known as a bar retained denture. The cost there is appx 2600.00. Extremely lower than some of the prices I've seen mentioned in various threads here. They have a deal where you can get all of the top done with implant/bridges...all permanent, nothing removable for $11,000.00. I would love to do that but that is out of my range at the moment.
It couldn't hurt to find out if there is one within driving distance from you.

P.S. When I went there a few yrs back for a lot of dental work, the student that was assigned to me would go ahead and schedule an entire afternoon or day just for me sometimes to get as much done as possible to save on the drive.

If I had the cash, I would definitely go for implants, crowns or at the least, implant retained dentures. I really hate this wad of plastic in my mouth.

Laura

I have a question about what happens when the implants don't take.

My friend's husband had his upper mouth done. PAID LOTS OF MONEY. Didn't take. I have no idea why because we are not allowed to speak to him about his teeth. She said "Don't ask him about his implants". So I never did.

But she told me about 6 months after he got them, he had to get them all re-done. He went through hell.

So what would happen that a set of implants have to be re-done?

Good Grief

Hi Melody,

That's a good question!

Dental implants will fail for a number of reasons. Here are a few...
...Any new or residual infection in the jawbone from a previously extracted tooth or teeth could prevent the implant from integrating with the jawbone.
...Inadequate bone to hold the implant. The bone has to be healthy and have enough depth, width and heighth to hold an implant.
...Unsterile conditions during the implant surgery resulting in infection.
...The dental implants take time to integrate with the bone. If the restorative process is started too early, the pressure from the dental work on the implant can cause the implant to become loose and ultimately fail.
...Inexperienced dentist who doesn't torque the implant down into the jawbone properly.

There's more, but those are the most common ones that I can think of!

Bryanna

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