Recebt front tooth extraction - what next?

[Card]

Hi,

I am 76 years old. I recently had a front tooth extracted as it had fractured and was advised against a capping. So I am now one front tooth less.

I am in a quandry as to replace it. The dentist recommends an implant. Expense is not a problem but it's a long process that could have complications and possibly a limited life span.

I don't like the idea of my adjacent teeth being damaged by being ground down to fit a bridge, so that's out.

The easiest solution is a denture but it's not as secure and more fussy than an implant, although I can eat normally with one tooth so would only need to put it in when I went out.

 

Can anyone who has had one or more of the various alternatives for A SINGLE FRONT TOOTH please give me any advice on their experiences and recommendations for a dentist in Bangkok to carry out the procedure. Thanks in advance.

[Thailand J]

Dental bridge may be?

[Nicco]

You must look like a toothless hillbilly. Get an implant.

 

Many dentist in BKK will do the Korean for 30k. I went for Neodent 36k.

 

Best case start to finish it will take about six months. You had extraction and I assume it's healed.

 

The additional time will be if you need bone and you probably will. The wait on this is 2-8 mos depending on the deterioration/ bone grafted. This will run 5-30k as well.

 

Additional money for CT scans.

 

I will wrap up my second in about two months.

 

Message for dentist and location. I believe he works two maybe three offices in bkk

 

PS if you don't have the tooth replace the other teeth will move around it and you'll be in a right mess as you rapidly age. No telling at that point. If you are from UK no problem 🤣. Everyone else - problem.

[Yellowtail]

I have had five or six implants, two bridges and several partial dentures. Never on a front-most tooth. 

 

If money is tight, the way to go is with a partial denture. they are cheap, easy to get used to (if they fit correctly) and they look okay. The way they fit works fine for chewing on the sides and back, but biting (I am guessing) in the front might not be great. I think you could forget about eating corn or ribs and whatnot. 

 

If money is not a big concern, implant is the way to go. Just like a real tooth that never rots or hurts. 

 

Bridges were great before implants were available, but not now. If money tight, buy a partial and save until you can afford an implant. 

 

I like Bangkok Hospital Dental Center. 

[Stocky]

Quote

Recebt front tooth extraction

Makes you write with a lisp too

[bkk6060]

Don't be stupid get implant.

[Card]

26 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Don't be stupid get implant.

Stupid? What's more stupid: asking for advice or calling others stupid, without showing any evidence of experience or knowledge? 

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, Card said:

Stupid? What's more stupid: asking for advice or calling others stupid, without showing any evidence of experience or knowledge? 

 

Let it go. Arguing with fools and whatnot. 

 

If you've got the dough, get an implant. If you don't get a partial. 

 

You could die a year from now thinking, man, I wasted that 60K. 

 

You could live to ninety, each year thinking, why the f did I not get the implant so I could eat this effing apple like a man without cutting it up, 

 

 

[Card]

56 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Let it go. Arguing with fools and whatnot. 

 

If you've got the dough, get an implant. If you don't get a partial. 

 

You could die a year from now thinking, man, I wasted that 60K. 

 

You could live to ninety, each year thinking, why the f did I not get the implant so I could eat this effing apple like a man without cutting it up, 

 

 

Do you have an implant?

[Yellowtail]

13 hours ago, Card said:

Do you have an implant?

I have five or six implants, as I explained in my first post. 

 

I do not have an implant on a front-most tooth. 

 

I also have a bridge, had another bridge that was replaced with an implant, and have had a number of partials. 

[Card]

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I have five or six implants, as I explained in my first post. 

 

I do not have an implant on a front-most tooth. 

 

I also have a bridge, had another bridge that was replaced with an implant, and have had a number of partials. 

Thanks. I'm enquiring about implants now. It just seems such a long, long process just for 1 tooth

[John49]

I’ve had 2 tooth implants in Thailand, one on the side and one at the back.

Each one cost 60,000 baht, both turned out well and no problems after 5 years.

I did consider leaving gaps but as I already lost 5 teeth (includes 4 wisdom), I could see chewing would not be easy with more gaps.

 

Later, I had third implant in the front, one of the 2 central incisors.

This tooth had decay at the root (with bone loss) and needed a bone implant; I think this is only time you need a bone implant.

The dentist offered me an option of a tooth that was glued by 2 side wings to adjacent teeth as a long term solution.

I had this in for a few months (after the bone implant) and it worked really well and did not fall out.

This seemed like a good option, but I went for an implant as I wanted a permanent solution.

 

For me, the frustrating issue was the cap of the implant (central incisor at front)  as it was the wrong shape and colour (pure white), after putting out so much money.

After 3 tries, the dentist delivered the right shape and colour; I don’t think he made much profit out of me. BTW, the tooth has a small screw at the back of the cap, so that the cap can be removed and re-worked or replaced.

 

I notice that some people have ugly caps or implants amongst their front teeth – wrong colour (usually pure white) and bad shape match to the next tooth.

Same time, many cannot afford an expensive treatment for best results.

Colour and shape, much less of an issue for side and back teeth.

[3NUMBAS]

I have been seeing notes online for implants with no screws not sure how they work ,have they improved dental glue that lasts a hell of a time?I am facing the same problem with lose front teeth and was thinking of a bridge ,but would be fragile 

 

 

but diy ?

 

[quake]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:41 PM, Card said:

Hi,

I am 76 years old

 

Get a bridge.

Had a bridge made at Bangkok pattaya hospital 20 years ago , and it's  still going strong.

How long do you think you will live for. 

[Yellowtail]

9 hours ago, John49 said:

I’ve had 2 tooth implants in Thailand, one on the side and one at the back.

Each one cost 60,000 baht, both turned out well and no problems after 5 years.

I did consider leaving gaps but as I already lost 5 teeth (includes 4 wisdom), I could see chewing would not be easy with more gaps.

 

Later, I had third implant in the front, one of the 2 central incisors.

This tooth had decay at the root (with bone loss) and needed a bone implant; I think this is only time you need a bone implant.

The dentist offered me an option of a tooth that was glued by 2 side wings to adjacent teeth as a long term solution.

I had this in for a few months (after the bone implant) and it worked really well and did not fall out.

This seemed like a good option, but I went for an implant as I wanted a permanent solution.

 

For me, the frustrating issue was the cap of the implant (central incisor at front)  as it was the wrong shape and colour (pure white), after putting out so much money.

After 3 tries, the dentist delivered the right shape and colour; I don’t think he made much profit out of me. BTW, the tooth has a small screw at the back of the cap, so that the cap can be removed and re-worked or replaced.

 

I notice that some people have ugly caps or implants amongst their front teeth – wrong colour (usually pure white) and bad shape match to the next tooth.

Same time, many cannot afford an expensive treatment for best results.

Colour and shape, much less of an issue for side and back teeth.

Bridges look crappy on the front too.

 

I got my first implant in '98 (I think) in the US. I got a gold crown, and it's still perfect. The crown came off about ten years ago. The dentist glued it back on and it's been fine since. 

 

For crowns that do not show, I think gold is best. 

[Card]

16 hours ago, quake said:

 

Get a bridge.

Had a bridge made at Bangkok pattaya hospital 20 years ago , and it's  still going strong.

How long do you think you will live for. 

I dont want the good teeth at either side of the bridge to be reshaped in any way, sorry.

[quake]

38 minutes ago, Card said:

I dont want the good teeth at either side of the bridge to be reshaped in any way, sorry.

 

That's ok.

it's a lot less time to do it all.

Good luck.

 

Ps, some dentists are not so good here.

Had one tell me after a crown came out and post broken, I needed to have the tooth extracted.

Went to a different dentist here, no problem sir,  bigger post in, new crown,  that was 10 years ago, still going great.

Good luck, 

 

 

 

[newnative]

As others have said, get an implant.  76 isn't that old--and I would get it at any age.

[Pib]

Go with an implant.   Yes, takes longer and more expensive than a bridge or denture but the implant is like have a new, original tooth...will last a long, long time.  Rejections can occur were the implant doesn't really hold well but those are rare cases..  My wife got a two molar implants around 3 years ago at Dental Wise Clinic in Bangkok....zero problems....excellent service and care.  English, Japanese, Korean, and Thai spoken at the clinic....zero communications issues.

 

https://www.dentalwiseclinic.com/services/dental-implant/

 

[spambot]

I had exactly the same problem with having a front tooth removed and also the exact same dilemma that you identify. I visited multiple dentists and came to the sane realisation that the implant would take a long time and that achieving back a normal smile would have to wait about 6 months.

 

This is what I did:

 

I bought from Lazada "Moldable False Teeth Temporary Tooth Repair Denture Filling" (just search this term) simply drop into hot water and mold into shape. I was very sceptical, but it works very well (about 100Thb) and this gave me time to review options and not get forced into a rushed decision.

 

I visited and talked to 12 different dentists (Bangkok, Pattaya, Bang Saray and Hua Hin) and I realised that getting acrylic partial denture while it was an option, but it would cover all of upper pallet.  While this was a low cost solution (5,000 Thb) it seemed like it would be uncomfortable and  fill most of my mouth with a foreign substance just to replace a single tooth so I considered this only as a a temporary cosmetic fix for a few months until I had found a solution I was happy with.

 

I found that a metal frame (Cobalt) partial denture would be less invasive to the space in mouth and would feel more secure and more like a real tooth since the metal does not cover all of the upper pallet, since it just runs around the inside of the existing teeth and is held in place at either end of the existing teeth with a metal clasp (does not require altering any existing teeth). I found the cost ranged from 7,000 Thb to 22,000 Thb.

 

I found a dentist that I was comfortable with (which is very much a personal feeling) and paid 10,000 Thb

 

- if I bought in UK  the same which is around £1,000 to £1,200.

 

I found the best advice someone could have given me before I started looking for a solution would have been to go visit many different dentists and ask first at reception what they would recommend and the good dentists would show many options and usually introduce the dentist and get even more advice and without a full consultation. This advice then allowed me to go away and consider before taking action - Good luck.

 

 

[Brock]

I had a front tooth extracted by the dentist in my town , and after 2 weeks for the gum to settle, I had a denture made. It has a thin metal back for strength, and less bulk. Yes its a bit annoying at first , but at least you can talk and eat and it gives you time to sort out other options.

 

[ELBE1]

I went for a so called Bonded Bridge and very happy with it..

though it may need to be renewed after 6 years or so.

[Peter Crow]

On 6/9/2025 at 4:59 PM, Card said:

Thanks. I'm enquiring about implants now. It just seems such a long, long process just for 1 tooth

It is  a 4 to 6 months process, but about the same number of visits as a root canal + crown, with less pain (none at all actually). I did mine in the hospital where I have regular doctor's visits, so no hassle whatsoever. The only downside was that they didn't accept third party payment for dental work; my credit card took care of that.

[georgegeorgia]

Just go for the cheapest option.

Denture ,do it for Quality of Life

 

Your 76yo ,how long do you have ? 3 years -7years?

[georgegeorgia]

22 hours ago, quake said:

 

Get a bridge.

Had a bridge made at Bangkok pattaya hospital 20 years ago , and it's  still going strong.

How long do you think you will live for. 

Well he won't be here in 20 years just as you won't be 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

It all depends on your other teeth - if you get an implant then you are committed to getting implants for all the other teeth if/when they fail. At 76 you are unlikely not to have additional failures. If you were 50 or under I would say definitely get an implant.

 

The best advice given to far is to get a small denture fitted - deal with it and you will adjust. Then after 2-4 weeks you can decide if you can live with it or not. Over the next 5-10 years you might need more work - and dentures are far better option than implants at your age.  The problem with dentures in Thailand is that they are stuck in the 90s here - these days in Japan, Korea and the West there are much better and more modern dentures available - here they have old fashioned Acrylic or Metal and that is basically it - Valplast and Abe dentures are just not available here - that I could find.

 

If you cannot 'handle' the denture, then again at your age get a bridge, and when other teeth fail you can get an extended bridge/s. Bridges are crowns with 1 or 2 false teeth between the mounting crowns - and these days they will last 15-20 years which is probably more than enough for you. Plus they just do not have the complications of implants or the related problems of bone deterioration.  They are done in a few days are are extremely easy to manage.     

 

Whatever you do get done - make sure it is done in one of 3 places only - Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket. 

[spambot]

16 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

It all depends on your other teeth - if you get an implant then you are committed to getting implants for all the other teeth if/when they fail. At 76 you are unlikely not to have additional failures. If you were 50 or under I would say definitely get an implant.

 

The best advice given to far is to get a small denture fitted - deal with it and you will adjust. Then after 2-4 weeks you can decide if you can live with it or not. Over the next 5-10 years you might need more work - and dentures are far better option than implants at your age.  The problem with dentures in Thailand is that they are stuck in the 90s here - these days in Japan, Korea and the West there are much better and more modern dentures available - here they have old fashioned Acrylic or Metal and that is basically it - Valplast and Abe dentures are just not available here - that I could find.

 

If you cannot 'handle' the denture, then again at your age get a bridge, and when other teeth fail you can get an extended bridge/s. Bridges are crowns with 1 or 2 false teeth between the mounting crowns - and these days they will last 15-20 years which is probably more than enough for you. Plus they just do not have the complications of implants or the related problems of bone deterioration.  They are done in a few days are are extremely easy to manage.     

 

Whatever you do get done - make sure it is done in one of 3 places only - Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket. 

That is really sound advice - Well done.

 

I have just a slight addition since which I am assuming the front tooth that is being described is the upper tooth and Abe dentures are a type of full lower denture for individuals with significant bone loss in the lower jaw.

 

As for Valplast dentures which are flexible partial dentures I found about 50/50 of Dentists visited could provide these.

I was tempted by Valplast dentures which are made from a flexible nylon, which are known for their comfort, lightweight feel and natural appearance, but can not be adjusted once made and have a good lifetime of about 7 yrs. 

Cobalt is slightly thicker, adjustments are possible and lifetime about 15 yrs, but do not feel as natural in the mouth as Valplast. I am currently also considering getting Valplast as a spare just in case of misplacing the Cobal denture. From my experience I found that the cost of the Valplast option was just slightly less than Cobalt, but only by 500 - 1,000 Thb.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, spambot said:

That is really sound advice - Well done.

 

I have just a slight addition since which I am assuming the front tooth that is being described is the upper tooth and Abe dentures are a type of full lower denture for individuals with significant bone loss in the lower jaw.

 

As for Valplast dentures which are flexible partial dentures I found about 50/50 of Dentists visited could provide these.

I was tempted by Valplast dentures which are made from a flexible nylon, which are known for their comfort, lightweight feel and natural appearance, but can not be adjusted once made and have a good lifetime of about 7 yrs. 

Cobalt is slightly thicker, adjustments are possible and lifetime about 15 yrs, but do not feel as natural in the mouth as Valplast. I am currently also considering getting Valplast as a spare just in case of misplacing the Cobal denture. From my experience I found that the cost of the Valplast option was just slightly less than Cobalt, but only by 500 - 1,000 Thb.

Thanks - and Yes indeed - Abe are for whole jaw really. They can be used for the upper jaw too in older patients whose diet is suitable. Ask Dentists here about them (and Valplast) and most have not even heard of them - and I include the bigger Dental 'Hospitals' in Bangkok. I have tried many versions of crowns and bridges and partial dentures. Eventually I had all the teeth removed - they were 'genetically stuffed' - wish I had removed them all decades ago, instead of all the repairs and changes made, which were a waste of money in the end. 

[AgMech Cowboy]

@Card You've already gone past what I would have recommended, which is to never pull the root unless you're absolutely sure a  root canal cannot be done. But, now to go forward.  I lost one of my upper front incisors (due to incompetence, IMHO) in 1999.  Initially I tried the implant, but my bone structure in my sinus area was too thin to support one (in fact while doing the prep my dentist actually drilled into the sinus cavity above that tooth area).  I've had to resort to a bridge, which I am still using since 2015. It's a zirconium oxide bridge and it has been absolutely the best decision I've ever made (and I've been through all the options).

 

Sadly once they pull those roots your options are only 3, denture, bridge or implant. 

 

(BTW, the other front tooth broke off at the gum about a year later, which now has a root canal with posts to complete the abutment on one side of the bridge.  The abutment on the other side includes one incisor and one canine.  My front 2 teeth broke playing American football when I was 16 (in 1969).  There was still plenty of tooth remaining to just cover with crowns.  Sadly, eventually the tooth under a crown will weaken and is subject to breaking off, which mine did.  I was told by 2 Endodontists that my roots were too small for them to complete the procedure, so I let him to pull the roots.  I was given the same story on the second front tooth.  I found an independent dentist here in Bangkok and the Endodontists in his office completed the procedure.)  (Thaniya Dental Clinic, located in Thaniya Plaza Shopping Center between Silom and Surawong Rds)

 

Good Luck with your decision.

[quake]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Well he won't be here in 20 years just as you won't be 

 

Wow.

You can predict when I no longer can be in Thailand or alive.

Can I ask you for next weeks lottery numbers. thanks. 

Now back to work, Back to work.