I have been treating Lyme for a few years and seem to be on the mend but had an accident when I was young and broke a few teeth.
Had a bridge but now a tooth beneath has fractured. One tooth was root canaled. Dentist is recommending I pull both the root canal tooth and the fractured tooth and one tooth is already missing under the bridge, so I will be missing three front teeth after the surgeon does his work.
I am thinking three implants is the way to go. I am reasonably young and a flipper seems out of the question. I looked into Zirconia and they only make the part that screws in, not the implant itself (thanks for the info gigi), so I am going with Titanium and have no problems with that. I could do two implants, but then I would have a bridge again, compromising nearby teeth. Same with a flipper. Better to do three implants I think as the bone in the CT scan looks healthy, though he will need to do some building up.
I want to hear from other Lyme patients who had implants and how things went with healing primarily. Anything help speed recovery? Any setbacks?
I am seeing the best surgeon in my city who does a million of these, so no concerns there. He will clean the area well out and wait for it to heal before putting the implants in (2 surgeries). At least all my root canals will be gone now.
Any feedback appreciated!
Posted by Tonglen (Member # 18472) on :
My understanding is that the FDA just approved all zirconium implants-one piece that fits into the jawbone and the tooth itself. The technology originated in Europe, partially to help folks who are allergic to titanium. Have you tested for any allergies to titanium?
Posted by Elaine G (Member # 20735) on :
Myco, I have Titanium implants. No problem with them. However, I would advise staying away from the sinus area for implants. Usually the membrane gets penetrated and if it doesn't heal properly you can have some sinus problems.
I got my implants before I was diagnosed with Lyme and co.
If I were you, I would get the 3 implants.
Elaine
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Individual implants would be the best for tissue also. Having only 2 implants with a bridge means that cleaning under the bridge is a constant chore for you. It's easier to floss in between each one when they are separate.
The bridge wouldn't compromise other teeth around it. It would be a bridge of just three teeth, two anchored into the implant posts.
All should be good with the Titanium. And everyone's area for the anterior area close to the sinus is different sizes. Your oral surgeon that does it will see that and want to stay away from that also.
Do you know what type of crowns you would want? Some are zirconia, some are just the porcelain fused to metal. All porcelain zirconia are great for looks, but sometimes not for strength. Some are fused to gold.
There are many websites under dental implants to ck out what's all out there. I'm in dental sales, and have been in dentistry for 23 yrs... Most oral surgeons have their favorite ones they work with.
Posted by Faith6 (Member # 14072) on :
I had a titanium implant done several years ago on a molar. I regularly have implant "sensations." I wouldn't call it extreme pain but it is definitely not comfortable. I have had it xrayed several times and it is always fine.
Sometimes I would love to have it taken out but with knowing how much I spent and also how nice it is to chew on I probably won't in the near future. I have never heard of an allergy to titanium. Interesting...
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
Thanks for these suggestions everyone. Very helpful!!! Keep them coming.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
I am honestly terrified of twilight sedation. Don't know why. But I need two surgeries: One to extract the 2 teeth and clean the infection. Then I wait for that to heal and then I have another surgery for the implants, which he says will take several hours because there is bone grafting to do. Not fun.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Myco - Can you PM me with your surgeon? I think you are near me in CA.
I have had so much dental work and I need to have teeth pulled but I'm scared to get implants because I know that Lymies can get infections in them. It would be even more of a nightmare to have an implant removed. I would like to consider Zirconia. when you say the part that screws in - isn't that the implant? The part that goes in the Jaw.
I have one dental implant. I have not had problems but I don't know if there is infection under it. It's probably the strongest tooth in my mouth.
let us know how the surgery goes.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I have a "biological" dentist and lost a tooth a while back. He said (of course) that root canals are not a recommended procedure for Lyme patients. I started with a flipper and HATED it so I did the titanium implatnt with a crown. I have no issues at all and I'm so very happy.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
The Implant is in the bone.. it is like a 'root' for the 'tooth'. Then there is a part of it that comes out of the tissue for the 'crown' to fit on it.
Yes, they are very strong. If you have a great oral surgeon that has done many of them, he will make sure it's done correctly. If he hasn't done many of them, then I would seek someone that does them on a daily basis.
Google Ziconia and titanium implants. You will read many articles on them. The crowns are a separate appointment from the actual implant.
If you want to 'bleach' or whiten your teeth before the crown colors are picked, now would be a good time to do that. Once the porcelain crowns are put in, you can't whiten anymore.
There should be no problems as in if you're a lymie or not. I have many root canals, crowns,etc... and I've been sick for many many years.
All depends on the dentist, endo, oral specialist.