Dental Work — New Tooth (Implant or Bridge) — Afraid It Will Make Tinnitus Worse

[Niklas]

Hi,

I have hyperacusis and tinnitus (and I can modify the sound if I move my head or jaw, so I guess I have somatosensory tinnitus).

I am going to get a new tooth. should I choose implant or bridge? Or should I consider not getting a new tooth?

I am scared that it will permanently worsen my tinnitus.

 

[Nanny chocolate]

I've had two implants, treatment started last years and crowns fitted in December. They are still not comfortable and the treatment is extremely invasive. Don't let anyone tell you that it's not! I have severe T at the moment but I don't think it was caused by the dental treatment.Implants involve a lot of drilling into the bone and this is very noisy! and painful. Think carefully before you decide and best of luck in your decision. Eve

 

[Bill Bauer]

Or should I consider not getting a new tooth?

A bridge will involve a lot of drilling. I don't know much about implants.

You can ask your doctor whether most of the drilling for a bridge could be done using a laser. If your dentist could use a laser, then you ought to be ok. Below is a description of my experience when the doctor used a laser:

Two weeks ago, I had a dental filling replaced. The dentist used a laser. The laser itself was great - Peltor muffs made the noise very reasonable. During my earlier visit, the dentist told me that the laser could be used on dental fillings. This was true - he used the laser to remove the old filling. Unfortunately he still needed to use a traditional drill to "polish" the filling, and to ensure that the shape of the filling wouldn't lead to the lower tooth always putting pressure on the tooth with the filling. [I have no idea whether he used a regular air-powered drill, or the electric-powered drill that I asked him to use, but that he told me he won't need to use as he would be using a laser.] It was very loud. It sounded the same with and without Peltor muffs. The dentist, all of a sudden, had a problem with drilling for 5 seconds and taking a 10 second break. I paid him $300 for the extra time, but all of a sudden he said that the drill needs time to get up to speed, and that 5 seconds is not enough time. He didn't want to spend the extra 5 minutes, and seemed to be more than willing to take a risk that my T would be louder for the rest of my life. He would continue drilling, even after I would raise my hand for him to stop(!)

In any case, using a laser cuts down on the time during which you have to bear being exposed to the drill. So if you need to have dental work done that involves drilling, find a dentist who has a laser and a electric-powered drill, and who is not an asshole. Pay upfront for the extra time, and make sure to remind the dentist that you paid for the extra time (there is a chance that my dentist had forgotten that I paid for the extra time).

After that dental work, I had a spike for about a day, and a full ear sensation for about two days... It looks like it hasn't caused any long term damage.

Alternatively, find a dentist who uses electric-powered (as opposed to the air-powered drills that most of them use) drill. It ought to be quieter. Keep looking for a dentist until you find one who commits to drilling for 5 seconds and then taking 10 second breaks. Insist on paying extra for the extra time.

I read some replies to your thread, and I was disappointed to learn that installing dental implants is a noisy procedure. If you can't find a dentist who can use a laser, and if you can't find a dentist who will drill for at most 5 seconds then consider not getting a new tooth.

 

[glynis]

I don't think you will have much problem with eiter options.
If your mouth is open along time for treatment the jaw inflammation will be more of the problem.
If its a lower tooth you can use your hand to give your bottom jaw support during treatment.
Love glynis

 

[Niklas]

When it comes to bridge, they will lathe the tooth behind and the tooth in front so they can fit the bridge on them. So I guess that will sound and vibrate a lot too.

and yes it is on the bottom jaw.

 

[Lynne78]

Hey Niklas i will also have to choose between root canal or a bridge or implant. Did you get the bridge or implant?

 

[Starthrower]

I so hesitate to respond....

i will also have to choose between root canal or a bridge or implant.

You must get a few professional opinions on this question. But remember they SELL for biggest profits regarding the tooth implant. Some will insist that only an implant is possible. They make up to 8 grand for this procedure that is not usually covered by insurance.

I had an implant for three years. Had to undergo general surgery to have it removed when it loosened. The specialist used an outdated implant in my jaw. Removal is not like pulling a tooth. They have to chip away at the bone to remove the implant.

An implant can loosen as your teeth move over time. And this is the biggest concern. The implant in the bone cannot move naturally so when teeth start to shift, which is rather normal, it causes problems.

My opinion is if it is possible to save a tooth go the root canal process first. Interview a few specialists and never settle on one person's opinion. This is very important Lynne.

 

[Lynne78]

Thanx for the respons

I still don't know. I believe root canals
can cause health problems later on. There're an increasing number of doctors and studies backing up this information.
I'm not sure if I want an implant. If I will get one I'd rather have one that's made out of zirconium than titanium.
This only leaves me with the option of a bridge. (I think).

 

[Starthrower]

This only leaves me with the option of a bridge. (

It isn't a bad choice Lynne. I couldn't have one because of the prior jaw damage back in 2002. The only issue is using two good teeth to connect the needed tooth. But I know several people who are just fine with the bridge. Just get a few opinions and don't settle for the first one.

After the failed implant I had to just leave the space. It is a back molar so it is not visible and my teeth have not floated.

 

[SeaJay]

The big plus to implants is the use of low speed drilling into the jawbone. It's mainly a mild vibration, but relatively quiet. From what I know, most other procedures use high-speed, noisy drills.

I've had 5 implants over the last maybe 10-12 years. Other than one implant screw loosening up and needing to be retightened, I've not had any problems. As mentioned, implants don't move like natural teeth, so if you grind your teeth at night, a bite guard is a big help in reducing pressure on teeth.

My tinnitus & hyperacusis were greatly worsened back in 2015 when the dentist found a large cavity and used the high speed drill for at least several minutes. It permanently worsened my T&H to the point where I can't tolerate the high speed drill anymore. If I had a crystal ball, I'd have had the dentist just yank the tooth and had another implant done.

I found a dentist that uses "water-lase" and "air abrasion", both of which are pretty quiet. But they can only remedy small cavities, so I see my new dentist every 3 months for checkups to catch things early.

When my dentist fits the caps for implants, he takes the cap into another room, makes adjustments with the high speed drill and comes back to check for fit, and repeats as necessary. Small dental adjustments can be done with a low speed drill. I don't have any dental bridges, but I believe a high speed drill is involved in grinding down the 2 adjacent teeth to fit the bridge.

Just my experiences with dental work.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I found a dentist that uses "water-lase" and "air abrasion", both of which are pretty quiet. But they can only remedy small cavities, so I see my new dentist every 3 months for checkups to catch things early.

Thank you so much for sharing the above. I will now look for dentists who use these tools and I will also get a dentist to do a checkup every three months. Thank you!!

 

[TinA#7oct]

I had a Dental Implant this year #19 ( lower left first molar), I did put my hand under to support my chin because I also, have a fused neck. The drill for implants is usually electric and drills slower, because the jaw bone is less dense than enamel . So the noise and pitch should be lower. Just bring your earplugs, a little courage, and you should be fine. Make sure you read all the instructions about keeping the gum around the post clean. The beauty of an implant is, it feels and looks just like a real tooth, with one exception it can't get a cavity. Good luck TinA#7oct ps. A brige is less expensive
and takes less time to make.

 

[Clint Azzopardi]

@Niklas: Hi there, may I ask you if you got implants or a bridge. I have the same decision to make and I'm so paranoid about the effect of the drilling that I'm considering dentures. Did you get a bridge or an implant?