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My grandpa is 70 years old, he feel pain while chewing something, He consulted a dentist in Thornhill (Smile Center at Thornhill). He suggested a computer guided implant surgery. Has any one here done this type of teeth implantation surgery before?.

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I would suggest you contact an ENDODONTIST to get a second opinion on all this. The endodontist has specialized training (like an MD has residency speciality training) in dental issues related to bone and tooth root structure. Most endo's (and oral surgeons) have their practice such that they do procedures early in the day (starting 7:30 AM or so) and wind up their day by noon, so they can likely schedule your dad in right before lunch when they & their staff are winding up their day. I would tell whomever answers the phone that you will pay for the second opinion but I'd bet that the dentist will waive your dad paying once it's done. What likely will happen is that the endo guy will do a suggested treatment plan for your dad which will mean he needs to go to a primary dentist to get a evaluation and bite wings done all this to make sure what dad's overall mouth health is like and then back to the endo for the root canal. I know it seems like more time/visits but you really imho need a good basic general dentist to work with dad; & in turn they work with endodontist, periodontists, etc as needed but the general dentist is the hub on all this. Dental is expensive and you want it done as co-ordinated as possible for the best result. For my mom, she did a huge chunk of her spend-down for Medicaid on getting dental work done and it was so worth the time & money as she could actually eat, bite, chew, swallow, etc really well even to the end. So many of elderly have terrible teeth or gums and just cannot eat well or without pain so end up on liquid or pureed diets.

Your gut feeling is that something is now quite right with the Smile Center dentist, is probably on target. Most of these DDS are generalists who utilize on-line courses or 2/3 day seminars for speciality work and use preprogrammed techniques (hence the "robotic" work suggested). They really push doing payment plans as these are very profitable. Good luck in all this.
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Before Grandpa signs anything,, AnD I DO MEAN ANYTHING, talk with his doctor, another dentist other than someone from SMILE DENTISTRY get 2 or 3 opinions, and at least one other PAID OPINION. Don't forget, your grandpa may need to be on antibiotics prior to any oral procedure. My best friend's dad almost died, due to bad dentures, and the poison from his mouth badly affected his heart muscle... Take this seriously. It could be just a cavity...Or root canal. Look into dentists who specialize in Senior Care. I took mom to the dentisty last year.. She ended up in ER... It stressed her so much, she had a seizure....Teh ER doctor asked me why I was having her teeth cleaned. Isnt this what you are supposed to do with 86 year olds with ALZ? I found out the hard way....... Your grandpa is only 70, so he may be ok. But don't do anytihg that is not absolutely necessary.
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It sounds like this doctor/dentist may be a "gold digger". My mom got stuck with one. She started crying one day saying her mouth is falling apart. The d*mn dentist just got out of school, and was trying to make fast money by doing unnecessary things to my mother's mouth....I finally got her to see another doctor. He asked why she needed venures on her back teeth? You don't see them any way.
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Dentists advise against having a tooth pulled.
My friend opted for this to quickly cure an infection, her age is only 67.
No more infection, no more pain.
Isn't that what they did in the old days, prior to cosmetic fortunes being spent?
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Don't forget to ask about the warranty. My husband had some dental implants, one of which came apart. I think it may have been damaged during installation of the crown component of the assembly. We were told there was a 1 or 2 yr. warranty and had to pay $600 for a new part. I had been deluding myself that these things would be as long lasting as the crowns I have gotten in the past and it didn't occur to me to ask all the hard questions.
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Is he missing a tooth or teeth? That's the only reason implants would be needed or suggested.
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Is your grandpa disabled or incompetent in some way? Normally, this decision wouldn't be discussed with a grandchild.
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The big box dental centers are aimed at maximizing revenue. Be VERY careful what you sign. People have signed treatment plans and loan documents without realizing they agreed to spend tens of thousands of dollars.
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I agree, though, another opinion.
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I have one tooth tha I have already put over 2000 into. First a cap and then root canal. Now that the cap is over five yrs old, my dentist wants to replace it. That would be another 1000. An implant maybe worth it in the long run. And, you all sound like 70 is old. He may have another 20yrs.
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What you're saying makes no sense to me. I'd go see a regular dentist and not one suggesting an implant for a 70 year old. Why is he having pain? Sounds like he either has a cavity or needs a root canal, not a new tooth via an implant. Around here (a suburb of Chicago) an implant costs about $4,000. That's a LOT of money for most seniors. Those "smile type" places are all about vanity and marketing, not good dentistry, in my humble opinion.
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If your grandpa has the money I would go ahead and let him get them if you fully trust your dentist. my girlfriend got 2 last week from the alabama scool of denistry and said it was wondeful. She got them half price at the dental school, My brother had one and has had no trouble with his.My sister in law got 8 all the way across the front of her mouth and she didnt' complain of pain eitherl
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Hi, I don't think I'll be of too much help but I got 11 implants done on the top in December. They took a cat scan and many X-rays, so the Prosthodontist could figure out where every implant went, so that no nerves would be touched. I had all of this done before I went to the oral surgeon.

I think that I would get a second opinion if I were your grandfather, unless he's very confident with this dentist. If it's one of the smile centers, I might be a bit wary.

I can tell you that two of my cousins had robotic surgeries on different areas of their bodies, and were very pleased with the results.

Sorry, that I couldn't be of more help. I think it sounds very interesting though.

All the best to your grandfather!
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