Dental implants v Bridges

peppee1

Hi,

I have recently had a front tooth pulled,and I have a denture in for the moment.

So basically my options are a bridge or a dental implant.

Can anybody recommend one over the other?i.e. the pros & cons of each?

Many Thanks
Pep

EileenG

An implant will give you the nearest thing possible to a normal working tooth again. It will behave and bite and look like your own tooth. It also fuses with the bone, so you don't risk bone loss because the bone has nothing to interact with.

The disadvantage is that it is expensive, there are not that many dentists who do it in Ireland, it involves several trips to the dentist and a set of dentures while the implant heals etc. If the bone is not sound, it may not be possible.

Bridges look good, and are much easier to make and fit, fewer trips to the dentist etc. They may be cheaper, but not by that much. The disadvantage is that your bone has nothing to work with, so may receed. It also depends on having strong teeth around the missing one to provide the support necessary.

The Saint

Just wonding what the cost is like for a bridge? There's just one tooth missing.

EileenG

Not much different to implants. A bit cheaper, but the difference isn't enough to be a decider.

peppee1

Thanks for the info,just wondering on bridges.

I believe there are a few different types,so which one would you recommend for the long term?

You mentioned a "disadvantage is that your bone has nothing to work with, so may receed "

So is this common??Does this cause a problem in the long term.

Thanks...
Pep

mdebets

You should also keep in mind that for a bridge, the two surrounding healthy teeth are being damaged, to attach the bridge to it, while for an implant they remain undamaged.

EileenG

Understand, I'm not an expert here, I'm going on what a few dentists have told me.

So. When your jaw bone had a tooth or implant in it, it grows round it and replaces lost bone cells with new bone and when you chew, it stimulates the bone to fresh growth. If your tooth falls out and there is nothing there, your jaw bone has nothing to surround and no reason to grow. Eventually this changes the shape of your jaw and gives that sunken look.