Has anyone had experience with a dental implant or bridge?

Question

My dentist gave me the option of either an implant or bridge to replace a missing tooth. With the implant I'd have to also get a bone graft because there's no bone in that area but I don't want my good teeth ground down by a bridge. The tooth is right in between my front tooth and fang so it will be really visible. If I do get an implant I want to ditch my dentist and go to a specialist because I want it to be really nice and blend with my other teeth. The bad thing is that I've heard both implants and bridges turn green near the gums. Has anyone had experience with either? Recommendations in the San Diego area for an implant specialist?

Which one should I get?

Answer 1

I have never heard of an implant turning green at the gum-line. Older crowns that had a thin metal collar used to be considered more hygienic than a porcelain to metal or porcelain butt margin, but with the advancements in technology and materials laboratories use they can make a beautiful crown/bridge/implant without that "green" look.
Check with the Dental Society in your area or ask someone you trust who they go to if you are unhappy with your current dentist.

Answer 2

I am the implant coordinator in my office, so I deal with implants constantly. I have never seen one turn green at the gumline, but I have seen cases where the implant is visible through the tissue, and you can see a darkness. Most dentists who place implants, try to do whatever possible to keep this from happening, especially on a front tooth.

I actually have an implant myself. I cracked a tooth and knew the chances of a rootcanal and crown being successful were not high, so I told my boss to extract the tooth and place an implant. I haven't had any complications.

Bridges do require the dentist to cut down the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. I wouldn't recommend this for the tooth you are talking about. Chances of it looking natural are not good. A bridge on one side of the front of your mouth, may not look symetrical.

Your dentist should be able to give you a referral to an oral surgeon or periodontist who does implants in your area.

Answer 3

A dental implant will not only look better but will also last longer than a bridge. Implants will not have discoloration. The implant may initially be more expensive and require a longer process, but in the long run is a much better choice. In San Diego try 6th Avenue Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Dr. Niakiani is supposed to be good.

Answer 4

I'm a dentist and I never heard or seen anything green near the gums. There may be a dark line which is the result of gum recession where a non-precious metal was used to make the crown. You must say to the dentist you don't want a metal collar to be visible.
Your ideal dentist would be a prosthodontist. They have experience with implants as this appears to be an ideal situation for it.
See the links below to find a prosthodontist, good luck!

Answer 5

I have a bridge in the same area. I have had it for 7 years now and it looks fine. I think it looks better than the original teeth. Haven't had any problems or discoloration. My dentist said this was the better option, seems like he said implants often will need to be replaced sooner.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Dental implant surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and Lasik surgery in India by a company called Indian Health Guru Consultants. The Price for dental and Lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.

Indian Health Guru Consultants is very famous in India They arrange Dental surgery, jaw surgery, Lasik eye surgery, Dental Implants etc for foreign patients in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines- about their patient stories.
They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as dental and eye surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.indianhealthguru.com
Hope this helps.