I had my upper right molar extracted in October of last year. A bone graft was also added at the same time.
Then, on March 21, a dental implant was installed. More bone was added.
I asked Dr. Le where this bone came from. She replied it was partly synthetic and partly from a cadaver. I then asked, “Is this cadaver human? I hope it isn’t a dog or cat.” She laughed and said, “No, the cadaver is human.”
After the implant was installed, I had to get an antibiotic that Dr. Le prescribed. I was glad that I wasn’t charged for it. I have good insurance.
On April 5, my stitches will be removed. Then, I’ll have to wait 4 months for the bone to harden. At that time, an impression will be made. After 2 weeks, I’ll have a crown installed on top of the dental implant. Then, at long last, I’ll be able to chew normally.
It’s expensive even with insurance. The implant and crown cost $3,350. (Extraction cost $300.)
But, I’d rather have implants than dentures. So far, I have 4 implants all on my right side, 2 on top, 2 on bottom. I hope I won’t need another one.
gigi-hawaii 
March 24, 2023 at 12:18 am |
I am not brave so I opted for denture.
March 24, 2023 at 12:19 am |
I agree with you. You should avoid dentures. They are relatively cheap, but the dentist told me that they are a poor replacement to your natural teeth. He said that when you chew, they slide around and do a poor job. An implant is the same as your natural teeth. It does a great job.
March 24, 2023 at 12:25 am |
Good luck with the dental treatment! Things like that are always very expensive. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
March 24, 2023 at 1:44 am |
…my wife has had this done.
March 24, 2023 at 3:30 am |
Yikes. Yes, expensive but I know it will be well worth it. I hope the healing isn’t too bad.
March 24, 2023 at 3:36 am |
i had never heard of adding bone. Now I have.
March 24, 2023 at 5:28 am |
Oh, that sounds… hurtful. And expensive, but I agree, I would choose that option, too.
March 24, 2023 at 7:37 am |
One of my brothers had several implants done. It is even more expensive here, but he is happy with them.
March 24, 2023 at 8:18 am |
I have one implant, you asked good questions haha
March 24, 2023 at 12:15 pm |
That is a more complicated process than a hip replacement! I just have holes from extracted molars in the back of my jaw.
March 25, 2023 at 2:23 am |
Gigi you do inspire me to look more into this. I have 2 missing molars on my bottom left, had a partial that always hurt too much to chew with. The whole cadaver bone thing…amazing! 👍
March 25, 2023 at 2:27 am |
I just have a missing spot in my mouth where my right molar was. I do sort of miss that tooth!
March 25, 2023 at 4:17 am |
I got one a few years ago. No fun. But as you say, worth the trouble . . . if you can afford it. I got mine in NY, and my insurance didn’t cover it at all. It cost $5000. I hope I don’t have to have another!
March 26, 2023 at 2:30 am |
Thanks for providing this information, Gigi, as several others have told me they were glad to have chosen an implant over any other alternative. The cost is higher, but worthwhile for the results. Hope the healing goes well and without incident.
May 16, 2023 at 10:08 pm |
Yes, the cost is high we admit but it worth