implant or bridge?

Question

hi all, well heres my story about 4 years ago i smashed both my front teeth, since then ive had 1 really bad dentist who wouldn't do anything for me for 4 years, ive just found this other dentist (who i am really pleased with) he as recommended a veneer for 1 tooth and an implant for the other tooth.

i got quoted at £2,100 for this work and agreed to it.

anyway ive had my front tooth extracted and given a temporary denture...i went to have the implant put in last week, but my dentist apologised to me and said there isn't enough bone for the implant and recommended that i need a bone graft and it is going to be 6 months before i can have the implant fitted - (total after this treatment is around £3000)… which is ALL my savings, basically i'm just wanting some advice at to what you would do.

i'm 25 and basically wanting all MY OWN teeth back again to last me for the rest of my life, so I said if that took all the money in my bank then so be it, but ive been reading (cont)

about bridges and just wondering if i should get this instead of an implant and veneer?

Ive just been reading about implants and some sound like real horror storys if they fail, but yeah

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.what is the lifespan on bridges?
.recommended?
.would you just stick with an implant and veneer if you was me?
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thanks for the help

Answer 1

An implant would be great and if you need a bone graft to get it done then go for it, a bridge would be no good to you at this stage due to the loss of bone, you need sufficient bone for the bridge to attach to opposing teeth!
If you go ahead and have the bone graft done you will wear the partial denture for the required period of time as your dentist quoted, 6 months, which is roughly the maximum time for a P/D to be worn for, during this time your bones and gums will heal and the implant procedure can go ahead.
If the implant fails you should be able to get it redone, there is normally a guarantee on such procedures.
If it fails completely you may be faced with the option of wearing an upper denture, sound awful i know but lab technicians have moved on dramatically and they can work wonders!
Good luck and i hope all goes well for you!

Answer 2

I was in my late 60's and had 5 dental implants at a hospital,requiring 9 months period of time and about 2 hour drive each way but I would not have it any other way-They are as secure today as when done over 20 yeqars ago and my total cost, apart form the travel costs, was $5,000, (or 1.000 per .) It is a committment and they do not take just anyone.

Your last sentance shows me you can be committed and I hope you go for it. There was no problem with any of the procedure and subsequent followup procedures as they must make sure they are just right and come together with your own teeth.

I have upper dentures so only had the lower implants of 5 in the lower jaw. Am told that if the shrinkage is severe enough, some bone graft is required. I didn't need it. Your natural bone will integrate with the posts they install as they have small holes that go into the jaw for that purpose. Since that was 20 years ago, procedures probably have been refined a whole bunch. If I could go thru it at my age then, you sure can at yours. The young are more resiliant. Get on with it and it will soon be behind yhou and yhou won't have any more concerns. They do require daily cleaning and they show you how that is done, simple.

Answer 3

It's got to be your decision -- particularly since it's going to cost you all your savings. But you're only 25 and you want your mouth to look good and feel natural.

Personally, I'd go with the implant/veneer option (in fact I did: see below). But make sure you get it done by someone with stacks of experience: ask how many implants they do per year and what kind. Then research that implant type online to check its success rate.

The bone graft is an added complication. It shouldn't be painful (that's what dental anaesthetics are for!) but it will leave your mouth sore and you will have to take antibiotics and probably use an industrial-strength mouthwash (my dentist prescribed Corsodyl while my implant treatment was underway.)

And you will have to commit to dedicated mouth hygiene for the rest of your life, but that would be the same with a bridge.
An implant properly fitted is as strong as a natural tooth.

Well, good luck with the decision-making.


Source: I lost a front tooth myself in a cycling accident years ago. First it was crowned, then when that failed I had an implant fitted a couple of years ago. It looks and feels exactly like a natural tooth. Yay for crunchy apples and passionate kisses!

Answer 4

I'm a qualified dental nurse and i have assisted a number of times with placing implants.
Given the choice myself i would go for an implant every time.
The chances of you having to have it replaced EVER are slim to none, as with a bridge you WILL have to have it replaced also you have the added problem of it getting lose at an important moment and it falling out (i.e at a meeting on a date etc).
It is worth the money in the long run.
As for the horror stories there is a horror story for every single procedure you can have done, and if people have a bad experience they tell 10 people if they have a good one they tell 1 person! Also these things do get exaggerated.
If you trust your new dentist and it sounds like he knows what he is talking about go for it.
Qualified Dental Nurse

Answer 5

A bridge may be uncomfortable. My father had 8 diverse bridges made and nevertheless replaced into no longer tender. I had 3 implants and performance had no problem. i know that's expensive yet I had a bridge that replaced into very uncomfortable and the implants were worth it. i'm sorry, i know no longer some thing about Maryland Bridges, i'm basically speaking about my individual journey with bridges ordinarily.

Answer 6

As a person who is going through exactly what you are I would say go for the bridge. I was told I needed not only bone but tissue grafts as well. These are horribly painful procedures and cost thousands of dollars each procedure. A bridge will last you about 25 years if you practice good oral hygiene and take care of it properly.

Answer 7

Implants are not always guaranteed to work..Have to put metal in first to join with bone..Must not smoke or implants will fail..A bridge if its a good one and good strong side teeth MIGHT be best option..In similar dilemma myself/..As O Wilde Said" Its vulgar to talk like a dentist when your not one"..Friggin hate Dentist,for that matter G Bush,Richard and Judy,Tony Blair,Petite bourgeois,Newspapers,Royal Family,Arms manufacturers,Alister Down,Bland TV presenters,A Sharon,losing socks,big em selves up people,T.V Talent Shows,Unforgiving,heartless,selfish GREED...Sorry got me going then..Dentally Challenged we ALL become,think Dentist not advanced as much as they could and so expensive..My quote was £12.000 for implants with no grantee..Try another country Poland few people mentioned..