In Reply to: Implants posted by Andytoo on Thursday, 26. June 2008 at 11:58 Bali Time:
Hi Andy
Thanks for your concern but I am in a different position to you. The tooth I want the implant for was reduced to a crown about 35 years ago and then over the next decade (and two replacement crowns later) the tooth base went completely, and I have had a plate with one solitary tooth on it for 20 years or so to fill the gap.
I cannot afford the $6,000 to $7,000 for an implant here and my other teeth are too good to shave down to have a bridge made as an alternative (slightly cheaper) measure. The time has come to renew my plate (which has worn down now and does not fit, and is causing me some discomfort) so I would rather put that replacement cost towards a lovely new tooth if I can!
A photo can give an indication of how far back from my natural gum line the gap sits now. Even before looking at x-rays of bone that would be a quick indicator if my dream is worth pursuing or not.
And I would not be getting it down all at once. Even flying over six months or a year later for the tooth to be attached it would still work out cheaper than paying for an implant here in NZ.