Implant or Bridge after removal of 1 front tooth?
Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at
7:30 pm
I’ve thought of getting an implant in my front tooth after it is removed. But, I’ve been told it is really expensive and it can take up to a year or two to have it completed. Even then, the impant can fail.
I don’t know which procedure to get. Any experiences would be really helpful.
Does 00 sound about right?
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You are much better off with the implant as long as you don’t smoke. It is much easier to take care of than a fixed bridge [you clean it like a regular tooth] and you don’t have to have the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth messed with. An implant, abutment and crown costs about the same as a fixed bridge and doesn’t take a year or two to be done. In our office, the tooth is extracted; we wait 3-6 months for the bone to fill in, the implant is placed and then 3 months later the abutment and crown are done. In the interim you will have a plastic partial to fill in the gap.
I had a tooth removed in the front side..I was considering getting a bridge, but everyone told me they are really uncomfortable and annoying. For the long term i would go with the implant. I think you’ll be much happier. My grandfather had an implant and he loves it, my grandmother is getting one also.
Now days implants have very low fail rates. You can go in for a consultation before you have the tooth out and see if you are a good canidate for one. Ideally, it is the best option for the repacement of a tooth. Since the implant is placed directly in the bone it is almost like having a real tooth still there.
A bridge would involve having to grind down two teeth (one on each side of the space) to fit the bridge on. Usually these are perfectly good teeth so it is a shame to have to prepare them for a bridge. Bridges are also hard to floss and clean around, compared to the implant.
The implant will probably cost you a little more overall, but is most likely the better option. You should talk to your doctor though about the two options as well as the costs involved if that is a factor.
Cindi,
If you can swing it financially, the implant is a much better way to go. Like the other Doc said, the implant will cost nearly the same as a bridge, but with one exception: The implant usually NEVER has to be replaced, whereas the bridge will have to be redone appr. every 5-10 years, depending on your oral hygiene. Therefore, the bridge will cost you much more in the long run!
Typically, the implant procedure is broken up into two parts: Surgically placing the post in your bone, followed by a healing period of 2-6 months. Your dentist will absolutely make you a temporary tooth or appliance to wear during this time, so you will never be without a front tooth. At the end of the healing period, your dentist can then make you a permanent crown, which is cemented onto the post. It can be flossed in a traditional method (unlike a bridge) and will look and feel like a natural tooth (depending on how aesthetically inclined your dentist is.) I sincerely hope this provides you some clarity, and best of luck to you.
I am missing 2 teeth and I currently have a retainer which has two fake teeth on it. People can’t even tell its there! Basically it sits on the roof of my mouth and people don’t even notice. When I am 18 I will be getting two implants but they are quite pricey (3,000 a tooth) and my orthodontist told me that first they drill the post into your gums and then you must wait 6 months to get the actual tooth so yeah it is a long process. I was considering getting a bridge but they have to scrape away at the surrouding teeth which will thin them and might cause problems down the road..
good luck !
=D
Best option…See if you can get an implant…Ask them to do the implant and bone graft at the same time as your tooth is removed, after about 3-6months depending on how long intergration takes, you will get your new tooth. Implant will only cost you once whereas the bridge will eventually need replacing.
WITH JUST 1 TOOTH MISSING AN IMPLANT IS ALWAYS THE BEST CHOICE.