POSTED UNDER All-on-4 Dental Implants Reviews
Replacing All my Teeth. London, GB
UPDATED FROM camelos
1 year post
why upper all on 4 teeth can feel bulky
camelosDecember 7, 2016
WORTH IT$45,000
I have had people ask me and seen disscusions about bulky teeth. Although my upper teeth feel ok to me, I thought I would add a pic of my temp upper teeth to try and show why they can feel a bit bulky. As the pic shows, there is an acrlyic ridge behind the teeth which the implant screws attatch to the implants. I guess it has to be this way, with the front most implants, as the the teeth are way too fine for the screws to go through. The rear implants go through the wider molar teeth. I got used to the slightly bulky feeling within a couple of weeks. It is a matter of retraining where to place your tongue when speaking. My permanent teeth, the ones in my mouth now, are titanium reinforced and feel slightly less bulky but there is still a ridge for the screws.
Everything still going well with me, one year down the line, and just pleased to be able to live and eat very normally again. I have my first hygiene appointment next week. Hopefully I will get a good report and all still ok with cleaning etc.
Everything still going well with me, one year down the line, and just pleased to be able to live and eat very normally again. I have my first hygiene appointment next week. Hopefully I will get a good report and all still ok with cleaning etc.
UPDATED FROM camelos
9 months post
All done
camelosAugust 8, 2016
Went for my final check today with thevimplant surgeon. X-rays taken, teeth removed so gums and implants could be checked. All is fine so teeth refited, screws back in and more permanent coverings were placed over the screw holes in the teeth. I mentioned the upper implant that is still ever so slightly tender so this was checked and no problems found. I trust they know what they are doing so not particularly concerned by this.
So that's it for now. I go for a cleaning in December and should stick to a schedule if hygenist appoinments once every 6 months I think they said and a yearly check on the implants. Apparently my home cleaning is very good so they reckon I will only need the teeth removed once a year if I keep up the good work.
It is relief to get to the end point and l'm very happy with my final teeth. It is great to eat normally again; to crunch down on raw carrot or eating corn on the cob is a great feeling when you haven't been able to do so for years. I was speaking to the patient communication manager at the clinic and she asked if the teeth feel like mine and 'yes, they certainly do' I have really got used to them and because I can eat normally now and the perms feel a bit less bulky than the temps I don't think about them too much now. More importantly, I can get on with life without feeling self conscious about my teeth and going through the pain of abscesses constantly.
The clinic has been outstanding every step of the way and l have now updated my review to 'worth it'. The only slight downside was the general receptionist for the whole building (there are a number of different practices all based at the same location) had a bit of a go at my partner when he couldn't remember the name of the clinic I was using and I was running slightly late for my appointment - l found it quite funny though. I still prefer not to name the clinic as I didn't really write this to be a review of the dentist/clinic as such but more just to document my experience throughout this process. If anyone wants to know because you are looking to get this procedure in London just get in touch and I will tell you privately. I remember how scared I was before I started this but it has been so much easier than I ever thought it would be
So that's it for now. I go for a cleaning in December and should stick to a schedule if hygenist appoinments once every 6 months I think they said and a yearly check on the implants. Apparently my home cleaning is very good so they reckon I will only need the teeth removed once a year if I keep up the good work.
It is relief to get to the end point and l'm very happy with my final teeth. It is great to eat normally again; to crunch down on raw carrot or eating corn on the cob is a great feeling when you haven't been able to do so for years. I was speaking to the patient communication manager at the clinic and she asked if the teeth feel like mine and 'yes, they certainly do' I have really got used to them and because I can eat normally now and the perms feel a bit less bulky than the temps I don't think about them too much now. More importantly, I can get on with life without feeling self conscious about my teeth and going through the pain of abscesses constantly.
The clinic has been outstanding every step of the way and l have now updated my review to 'worth it'. The only slight downside was the general receptionist for the whole building (there are a number of different practices all based at the same location) had a bit of a go at my partner when he couldn't remember the name of the clinic I was using and I was running slightly late for my appointment - l found it quite funny though. I still prefer not to name the clinic as I didn't really write this to be a review of the dentist/clinic as such but more just to document my experience throughout this process. If anyone wants to know because you are looking to get this procedure in London just get in touch and I will tell you privately. I remember how scared I was before I started this but it has been so much easier than I ever thought it would be
Replies (1)
August 10, 2016
That's so good to hear. Glad you are happy and now living a smile life
UPDATED FROM camelos
7 months post
Permanent Teeth
camelosJune 18, 2016
Yesterday I had my perms fitted which is about 6 and 1/2 months since surgery. Prior to this I had 3 wax try-ins. The first of these the upper teeth were way too long and just didn't work, second time was far better but after discussions with the dental tech it was decided to make the upper teeth smaller to suit my face better. My natural teeth had been quite large which I was never that keen on so made sense to reduce the size which was done for the third try in. All went well on this occasion so time to go a-head and make the perms. I requested the lower teeth to be made slightly crooked to enhance a more natural look.
The fitting of the final teeth was quite painful. The dental tech said many people say it is worse than the surgery and now I can see why! Apparently it has something to with realigning the gums with the titanium reinforced prosthesis. I also wonder if they are torqued to higher setting as just felt as though it was getting so tight that something must surely give. Thankfully, it didn't and most of the pain went away fairly quickly apart from one of the upper right implants which still feels quite sore now but this implant has always felt more tender than the others.
After the fitting, the dental tech spent a while checking the bite and making adjustments I.e. grinding bits off the teeth to get them just right. I need to see how I get on over the next week or so and if I have any problems with chewing or anything can go back for further adjustments. If no issues, I go back anyway in early August for a final check with the surgeon. I will ask again about the slightly tender implant if still an issue by then. It has been checked a few times now and no apparent problems with it but it does feel slightly sore at times still.
Once it was all done and I was about to leave there was a heavy shower so as I was cycling home I decided to wait until it finished. The rain stopped after 10 mins so I left, unlocked my bike and set off, turned the corner onto the main road and a lorry stopped in front of me, so I hit my brakes also but the brakes weren't working properly and I wasn't stopping. I had visions of me smashing up my newly fitted teeth straight away. Fortunately, I managed to steer my bike through the narrow gap around the side of the lorry and put my foot down to slow me down and gradually came to a stop without any teeth crushing impact - phew! Anyway, jumped off my bike and fixed the brakes before proceeding any further. Note to self - must always check brakes before cycling from now on.
I think I am happy with the new teeth and definitely worth going for all the try-ins and glad the dental tech spent the time and effort to get them right. I like the fact they don't look perfect but will probably take while to get used to them completely. Each tooth feels more defined than the temps did. They are much closer fitting to my gums and when I eat I can crunch down on food now which I couldn't do with the temps though not tried anything too hard/cruchy/chewy yet. I did take a pain killer last night as the upper right side was still quite painfull. Hopefully this will go soon and I can start enjoying my new teeth to the full.
The fitting of the final teeth was quite painful. The dental tech said many people say it is worse than the surgery and now I can see why! Apparently it has something to with realigning the gums with the titanium reinforced prosthesis. I also wonder if they are torqued to higher setting as just felt as though it was getting so tight that something must surely give. Thankfully, it didn't and most of the pain went away fairly quickly apart from one of the upper right implants which still feels quite sore now but this implant has always felt more tender than the others.
After the fitting, the dental tech spent a while checking the bite and making adjustments I.e. grinding bits off the teeth to get them just right. I need to see how I get on over the next week or so and if I have any problems with chewing or anything can go back for further adjustments. If no issues, I go back anyway in early August for a final check with the surgeon. I will ask again about the slightly tender implant if still an issue by then. It has been checked a few times now and no apparent problems with it but it does feel slightly sore at times still.
Once it was all done and I was about to leave there was a heavy shower so as I was cycling home I decided to wait until it finished. The rain stopped after 10 mins so I left, unlocked my bike and set off, turned the corner onto the main road and a lorry stopped in front of me, so I hit my brakes also but the brakes weren't working properly and I wasn't stopping. I had visions of me smashing up my newly fitted teeth straight away. Fortunately, I managed to steer my bike through the narrow gap around the side of the lorry and put my foot down to slow me down and gradually came to a stop without any teeth crushing impact - phew! Anyway, jumped off my bike and fixed the brakes before proceeding any further. Note to self - must always check brakes before cycling from now on.
I think I am happy with the new teeth and definitely worth going for all the try-ins and glad the dental tech spent the time and effort to get them right. I like the fact they don't look perfect but will probably take while to get used to them completely. Each tooth feels more defined than the temps did. They are much closer fitting to my gums and when I eat I can crunch down on food now which I couldn't do with the temps though not tried anything too hard/cruchy/chewy yet. I did take a pain killer last night as the upper right side was still quite painfull. Hopefully this will go soon and I can start enjoying my new teeth to the full.
Replies (4)
June 19, 2016
Hello There,
I am a South African man. I am 45. I have struggled with my teeth from the age of 17. I have no confidence to smile spontaneously, even until today. I feel I have wasted my entire life, because the inability to afford the procedure you went through. I am now unemployed and reliant on family to survive. I still to this day don't have the means to go for surgery and procedures at the dentist. I just would like to thank you for diarising your procedure so faithfully. Consider the fact that you have renewed yourself. That to me is extremely encourageable. The best for your life forward :-)
I am a South African man. I am 45. I have struggled with my teeth from the age of 17. I have no confidence to smile spontaneously, even until today. I feel I have wasted my entire life, because the inability to afford the procedure you went through. I am now unemployed and reliant on family to survive. I still to this day don't have the means to go for surgery and procedures at the dentist. I just would like to thank you for diarising your procedure so faithfully. Consider the fact that you have renewed yourself. That to me is extremely encourageable. The best for your life forward :-)
June 20, 2016
Thank you for your kind words. The financial side of this whole thing was the toughest part of it and although I will still be paying for it in decades yet to come I do consider myself to be very fortunate. I hope you can find a resolution to your own situation and I wish you all the best and understand how difficult it is.
August 7, 2016
Your new teeth look amazing, I to have a gum problem and need a bone graft to have implants, am I right in thinking that what you have had doesn't require the bone graft ??, I'm not sure how this treatment works, ???, would you be so kind and let me know, as my dentist cannot guarantee the bone graft working and I really don't want a denture plate. Kind regards
August 7, 2016
Thanks for the compliment. My procedure did not require a bone graft. I had a cbt scan before hand to check there was enough bone. The beauty of all on 4 is because there are fewer implants and they are angled not as much bone is required as more traditional implants. It all means you can get the teeth fitted the same day as the implant surgery rather than waiting for the bone graft to take. Might be worth you getting 2nd opinion from an all on 4 specialist to see if you may be a candidate for the procedure without bone grafting. Good luck with whichever route you end up taking.
August 7, 2016
Thankyou for your quick response, it would be wonderful if I don't have a bone graft, although I know my front teeth have lost 60% bone :(. But I certainly will try this route. Really appreciate this
August 7, 2016
I have sent a pm with details but forgot to say you can get free initial consultation including scan to see if you have enough bone without grafting.
August 7, 2016
Hi,
i wanted to ask about the process.
The clinic i am talking with said its a 8 month process.
Stage 1 : teeth removed - temp denture for 4 months
Stage 2: Implants fitted but still using temp denture (not fixed to implants)
Stage 3: 4 months after implants i go back again to have permanent teeth fixed onto implants.
What confuses me is what are the temp teeth you had 'fixed' to your implants as i was told nothing must be attached to the implants for that 4 month period. I assume they make holes in the temp denture to fit over the implants so no force is exerted onto them whilst they fuse to the bone.
Can anyone clarify this process? Thanks
i wanted to ask about the process.
The clinic i am talking with said its a 8 month process.
Stage 1 : teeth removed - temp denture for 4 months
Stage 2: Implants fitted but still using temp denture (not fixed to implants)
Stage 3: 4 months after implants i go back again to have permanent teeth fixed onto implants.
What confuses me is what are the temp teeth you had 'fixed' to your implants as i was told nothing must be attached to the implants for that 4 month period. I assume they make holes in the temp denture to fit over the implants so no force is exerted onto them whilst they fuse to the bone.
Can anyone clarify this process? Thanks
August 7, 2016
Hi Tirade,
My treatment plan involved my implants being immediately loaded with a temporary prosthesis. However, l was instructed to maintain a soft diet whilst the implants integrated with the bone. In fact, the temps did not allow me to chew anything much and I could not really bite down with them. I was told the teeth were designed to break if I did chew too hard on anything and this was better than implants getting damaged.
I did quite a bit of research before starting my treatment and I recall there being very different approaches from dentists as to the best way to replace teeth with implants. Some said best not to load implants immediately and others said better to have temp teeth fitted to the implants as having a removable denture on top of the implants can actually do more damage.
The temps have holes in them which screws fitted through to attach to the implants. I'm pretty sure they didn't get tightened up as much as the perms have been - the perms were fitted after 6 months once the implants had fully integrated and l can now chew and bite down fully with these.
With the treatment plan you describe, I don't see much reason for waiting 4 months to get the implants fitted (unless there is going to be bone grafting) as the jaw bone will start to reabsorb during this time. I guess it might be because they want to make sure any infections completely go before installing implants? Have your clinic said why they want to wait 4 months?
Anyway, I wish you all the best with your treatment and would be interested to hear any updates about your treatment.
My treatment plan involved my implants being immediately loaded with a temporary prosthesis. However, l was instructed to maintain a soft diet whilst the implants integrated with the bone. In fact, the temps did not allow me to chew anything much and I could not really bite down with them. I was told the teeth were designed to break if I did chew too hard on anything and this was better than implants getting damaged.
I did quite a bit of research before starting my treatment and I recall there being very different approaches from dentists as to the best way to replace teeth with implants. Some said best not to load implants immediately and others said better to have temp teeth fitted to the implants as having a removable denture on top of the implants can actually do more damage.
The temps have holes in them which screws fitted through to attach to the implants. I'm pretty sure they didn't get tightened up as much as the perms have been - the perms were fitted after 6 months once the implants had fully integrated and l can now chew and bite down fully with these.
With the treatment plan you describe, I don't see much reason for waiting 4 months to get the implants fitted (unless there is going to be bone grafting) as the jaw bone will start to reabsorb during this time. I guess it might be because they want to make sure any infections completely go before installing implants? Have your clinic said why they want to wait 4 months?
Anyway, I wish you all the best with your treatment and would be interested to hear any updates about your treatment.
August 7, 2016
Hi, thanks for the reply.
My story is similar to your journey except i chose to go with a Hungarian clinic as UK dentists are extortionate.
As i still have my teeth but was informed by 2 seperate NHS and also a private dentist that i need them all extracted, the hungary clinic says i have to wait 4 months for my gums to heal after extractions before implants can be inserted.
Then i have those implants in for another 4 months to fuse to the bone. I was told no pressure must be put on them, thus they are not screwed to the implants. I have emailed them to clarify this process but from the recent email, it seems that the temp dentures the NHS will give me immediately after extractions will be the same one i will have to endure wearing for those 8 months.
Financially it was not possible for me to raise £30k so i am having my upper done first for £3370, then save again in that 4 month period another £3370 for the lowers.
My story is similar to your journey except i chose to go with a Hungarian clinic as UK dentists are extortionate.
As i still have my teeth but was informed by 2 seperate NHS and also a private dentist that i need them all extracted, the hungary clinic says i have to wait 4 months for my gums to heal after extractions before implants can be inserted.
Then i have those implants in for another 4 months to fuse to the bone. I was told no pressure must be put on them, thus they are not screwed to the implants. I have emailed them to clarify this process but from the recent email, it seems that the temp dentures the NHS will give me immediately after extractions will be the same one i will have to endure wearing for those 8 months.
Financially it was not possible for me to raise £30k so i am having my upper done first for £3370, then save again in that 4 month period another £3370 for the lowers.
August 7, 2016
Sorry i meant, in the 8 month period waiting for the upper teeth process, i will be saving £3370 to do the lowers as i have virtually saved enough to do the uppers for now.
What pisses me off is this whole process should be on the NHS for everyone. The depression i have been through is incredible. Not going out for the past 2 years and not talking to anyone. I have noticed others with bad teeth who you can tell cannot be themselves for fear of ridicule and embarrassment. I just want this done so i can actually be myself for once in my life. It is a pity others will not go through this and have this life changing opportunity.
What pisses me off is this whole process should be on the NHS for everyone. The depression i have been through is incredible. Not going out for the past 2 years and not talking to anyone. I have noticed others with bad teeth who you can tell cannot be themselves for fear of ridicule and embarrassment. I just want this done so i can actually be myself for once in my life. It is a pity others will not go through this and have this life changing opportunity.
August 8, 2016
Thanks for clarifying. Are you getting the extractions done in Hungary or just the implants? Either way I hope it all works out well and you can move on with your life.
I know what you mean, it can be pretty devastating when you have dental problems. It is real shame you cannot get the work done on the NHS. Well techinically you can if you go through a dental teaching hospital and they put in a successful bid for you. The reality is that the funding isn't available for the vast majority though so only if you've had some sort of trauma might you get treatment and even then maybe not. Therefore, for most the options are take on a long tem debt such as I did through remortgaging as I couldn't afford the repayments on a shorter term loan. I do see myself as very fortunate for having this as an option. The other option is go abroad where the private fees are lower as you are planning and I did consider myself. I hope it all goes smoothly and you can get back to being youself again.
I know what you mean, it can be pretty devastating when you have dental problems. It is real shame you cannot get the work done on the NHS. Well techinically you can if you go through a dental teaching hospital and they put in a successful bid for you. The reality is that the funding isn't available for the vast majority though so only if you've had some sort of trauma might you get treatment and even then maybe not. Therefore, for most the options are take on a long tem debt such as I did through remortgaging as I couldn't afford the repayments on a shorter term loan. I do see myself as very fortunate for having this as an option. The other option is go abroad where the private fees are lower as you are planning and I did consider myself. I hope it all goes smoothly and you can get back to being youself again.
August 8, 2016
I having the extractions done here on the NHS as going to Hungary would be £45 per tooth + flight + hotel so makes sense just to pay £53.90 here but NHS dentist cannot perform this and needs to book me into a dental hospital.
I haven't even booked the extractions yet as the uncaring NHS dentist i saw wanted to do an impression and would not listen to my concerns on my teeth being ripped out when the impression is removed (happened to my bottom tooth when i did an impression) so i am kind of at a fearful stalemate as i have extreme dental / needles phobia but i know i need it done but it's the finality of losing all my teeth (even though they are bad - worse than anyones i have seen on here)
I haven't even booked the extractions yet as the uncaring NHS dentist i saw wanted to do an impression and would not listen to my concerns on my teeth being ripped out when the impression is removed (happened to my bottom tooth when i did an impression) so i am kind of at a fearful stalemate as i have extreme dental / needles phobia but i know i need it done but it's the finality of losing all my teeth (even though they are bad - worse than anyones i have seen on here)
August 8, 2016
I was very fearful when it came to impressions also. Perhaps find another dentist who is more compassionate and you feel you can trust to do this. I'm sure you will get good care at the teaching hospital and they might even offer you sedation for the extractions. Good luck moving forward with this.
August 22, 2016
Hallo there, I can really feel your pain and wish you to find a solution wich is affordable and satisfying. Don't know wrere in UK you live, but I'd recomend to you to check out the website of Dentaprime dental clinic which is openining a branch in London. It's worth compareing the prices, services and last, but not least, the location might be more convenion for you. Good luck!
Replies (1)