[SoxyMama]

Soooo sadly one of my teeth has died (wah). Our health insurance 12 months wait will be up in May so I can look at dental implant then (maybe... if we can afford it or can talk DH into it) and they cover up to $1000 of it. I have some questions for anyone who has them:

* Are they worth it?
* Can you feel it?
* Can you be allergic to it?

I have a couple of concerns apart from the finances. I'm Factor Five Leiden positive, and I noticed that can cause complications in the fine print of the info sheet. I also can't wear jewellery or metal - I seem to have allergic reactions to them - but don't know if that is just to external skin or not. I get severe excema. I also have ongoing issues with Staph infections. So these three things concern me - and the complication I read about also look a bit extreme. So I'm questioning is it worth the huge cost, or because it is second molar in, maybe I just live with a tiny toothless grin.

He said the tooth isn't recoverable because since it broke off there isn't enough tooth left (it is heavily filled previously).

[elle-M]

My DH does, his front teeth were knocked out as a young adult playing WAFL footy. He already has one implant (he can't feel it at all) and is about to get the second.

For him it's a big deal, he went in before xmas to get the old tooth removed (it died, like yours), and also had an infection around the area so had it cleaned out, antibiotics etc. and he now wears a plate with a fake tooth. In a few months (when all clear of infection) he'll go back for surgery to put the implant in (they use titanium rods into his bone) and he may also need a bone graft from his jaw, they won't know until they start.

The total cost will be between $5000-$7000 with very little back from private health care (we have middle cover for dental) and nothing from medicare.

He has no choice because it's his front tooth, but he hates every second of it and I know if it were one of his back teeth he would not do it. You could get a plate made up with a fake tooth and just wear that if you're going out to social functions etc. if you're concerned, otherwise it might be more pain than it's worth. And they only last ten years or so and then you have to get it all done again.

Sorry I can't answer your medical questions based on your history. I'd get a few opinions too, different surgeons and specialist dentists may offer different solutions. My DH got three specialist options (two the same, one different) which was helpful.