Dental Work - The "Tooth" about bridges and implants?

My dentist has recommended either bridge work or an implant for me. The temporary bridge is less expensive but requires continual care and will likely need to be replaced in the future at additional cost. The implant costs more but acts and functions more like a regular tooth and is permanent. Reportedly, I have enough bone in my jaw to support the implant.





I'm leaning more towards getting the implant as my preference; however, I was just wondering does anybody have any experience with either procedure? What were your results?





Thanks so much ...

Dental Work - The "Tooth" about bridges and implants?
A fixed bridge or an implant run about the same cost. Neither one can be guaranteed to last forever as there are too many variables. I've seen implants fail [due to patient neglect] in 4 years but most of the older ones I've restored are still going strong after 15 years. Implant/crowns are much easier to clean than a fixed bridge, as you clean them like a natural tooth, and will feel more like natural teeth. Crowning a tooth is always a last resort in my office. Even if the teeth on either side of the extraction site may eventually need crowns, you are better off with separate crowns rather than a bridge which ties them all together due to the cleaning factor and the extra stress on the teeth which hold the bridge. Again, go with the implant/crown and good luck!


And bald IS beautiful!
Reply:Go with the implant, you won't regret it. Bridges require work on the adjacent teeth to support the bridge and I've heard they eventually lead to gum loss.


Even though the implant is more it should last you for life, require no special care (other than flossing and brushing) and look exactly like your other teeth down to the color shade.


Make sure the dentist doing the implant has plenty of experience with placing implants. That is important to ensure success.





I've had three implants over the years and all are still there and rock solid. I can't tell they're not my permanent teeth.





Good Luck.
Reply:As a dentist I can tell you without reservation to go for the implant. In the long run, you'll love it!





And that's the "tooth"!
Reply:A bridge is not so temporary if you maintain good oral hygiene and see your hygienist regularly. The usual causes for the failure of a bridge are bone loss around the teeth that support it, or, decay in the teeth that support it. Both of these diseases are preventable. Occasionally, a bridge can loosen up but your dentist can carefully remove it, cleaned it up, and recement it. If you choose the bridge, make sure you are taught how to prevent the above-noted diseases.





As for an implant, although they are great if they are done properly and are successful, they are not maintenance-free. You must practice excellent oral hygiene techniques because a gum infection, left untreated, can cause the bone in which the implant is placed, to receed. If this happens, the implant will be lost.





Assuming you are in good health and are willing to remain in good health through honest brushing and flossing, the implant could be a good choice because it does NOT involve altering the teeth adjacent to the space. A bridge requires the placement of crowns on each tooth adjacent to the space.





Both choices function well but if money is not a problem, go with the implant and choose a doctor who has done a significant number of successful implants.
Reply:If the teeth either side of the gap have had fillings before, then a bridge would be better as it will reinforce and stop those teeth from future fractures.


If the teeth either side have never had fillings, then an implant would be the better option.