I’ve been looking for an affordable dentist but didn’t just want to pick a dentist without knowing anything about him/her.  So I scheduled consultations with 5 different dentists. The issue is replacing 2 teeth. I received recommendations for a partial denture, a bridge, and dental implants. I thought it interesting that the dentist who offered dental implants quoted a price that was the same price as a dental bridge from another dentist. I couldn’t figure out of the implants were no good or if the dental bridge was over-priced. After researching online I found that the affordable dentist who offered implants has been in practice 11 years. That made me feel comfortable. I accepted a payment plan for 2 implants and I regret the day I did. One implant fell out and the other is loose. This issue with the implants happened in May. It’s over a month later and my dentist is still trying to figure out if I need bone grafting. This is starting to scare me. So know I don’t know if I should just try to get a bridge and forget the whole thing or start all over and get consultations with 5 new dentists. The other issue is that I still need an affordable dentist. So please don’t advise me to go to a top dentist with a fancy office because I can’t afford that. Thank you. Shawna

Shawna – Although the affordable dentist you chose has been practicing dentistry for 11 years, it doesn’t mean that he has been placing dental implants for 11 years. And given the results of your implants, his training and credentials are questionable.

It’s rare for dental implants to fall out. It’s not clear if your dentist thinks you needed bone grafting before the implants were placed, or if he thinks you now need grafting to support a new implant. Osseointegration, the process of the jawbone fusing to the implant takes about six to nine months, so be patient with having your implants replaced.

Despite a dentist’s careful planning and placement of an implant, a patient’s body can still reject it. It’s impossible to predict how your body will react to the implants.

Without an examination and diagnostic studies, we can’t say if and how your dentist was at fault. If you feel comfortable returning to one of the four dentists with whom you had consultations, you should do so. Otherwise find an experienced implant dentist to examine the implants, discuss your options, and help resolve this issue.  You should be able to find a skilled, affordable dentist to help.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.