Experience with dental implants on a back molar

[jaminmd]

I've read through old threads on dental implants but many of them deal with either front teeth or multiple molars.

My upper left back molar was pulled. This tooth already had a root canal & crown but got reinfected. My choice was to re-treat or have it pulled & consider an implant. I've read through the risks & I have concerns about them as well. I have had major dental problems my entire life with all of my back teeth.

I don't have dental insurance but I do get a reduced rate. By the time I'm done the cost for the implant & crown will be between $4-5K. Ok, that stinks but... both my dentist & oral surgeon said I might be ok without it. The OS really wants me to go ahead with it, though. Part of me wonders if it is just because it would be $$ for him. I know that is jaded but I'm just being honest.

I have a mouth full of crowns in the back. This is my second reinfection but I had the other one re-treated with another root canal & debridement for an abscess. Honestly, I see dentures in my future. I'm not sure what to do. I may just get a second opinion from another OS.

Thanks for reading & if you have a similar experience (back molar) that you're willing to share, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Cinerbelle]

I had the same issue with two of my back molars...one on each side...2nd to the last on the bottom. They both had root canals and crowns and years and years later were reinfected. I was told that I could re-treat but the likelihood of it getting reinfected was good and that I should have them pulled and put in implants. Well, I had them both pulled in Jan. 2007. I have not had implants put in. I see my dentist every 6 months and she says that the other teeth are not moving and as long as they are not moving I don't need to have the implants...unless the holes bug me, which they don't. If/when the other teeth start to move at all I will shell out the $$$$ but until then, no thanks.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I think I may be having the exact same issue on the back bottem left tooth. I currently have a crown and if truth be told I wouldn't have done that and had it pulled but, DH talked me into it about 15 years ago. I have terrible gums, and have got gaps in my teeth; its genetic so I will always have issues. I am in pain now, and we leave for WDW on Wed. I'm hoping that the DDS will treat it and then pull it when we get back. I'm so over these teeth, it doesn't help that I have Bruxism too. So, I see Dentures as my only option in the future. Oh well, it is what it is.........

 

[jaminmd]

I had the same issue with two of my back molars...one on each side...2nd to the last on the bottom. They both had root canals and crowns and years and years later were reinfected. I was told that I could re-treat but the likelihood of it getting reinfected was good and that I should have them pulled and put in implants. Well, I had them both pulled in Jan. 2007. I have not had implants put in. I see my dentist every 6 months and she says that the other teeth are not moving and as long as they are not moving I don't need to have the implants...unless the holes bug me, which they don't. If/when the other teeth start to move at all I will shell out the $$$$ but until then, no thanks.

Thank you! I think I'm going to take your approach. I don't think I have to rush into it.

 

[Mermaid02]

I had my back bottom left tooth pulled last Tuesday- undecided about an implant. I guess I'll see how it goes.....