Tooth bridge vs. a dental implant - opinions?

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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
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I've been talking to work buddies who have had a bridge put in and those that have had an implant. It seems like an implant is the way to go. My concern is the two adjacent teeth to the one that was lost are in great health, so why grind them down to take the crowns and bridge?

It just seems like all around the implant is the better way to go. I can't really see any down side to doing it. My pops actually had his ENTIRE set of teeth replaced with implants. He's 89 and says best money he's ever spent.

My tooth in question is #19, that big fat lower molar on the left that is your work horse for chewing.

How does cleaning a bridge vs. an implant work? It also seems like a bridge needs more cleaning to get up underneath the bridge. Guys with a bridge and implant also say they don't really notice it and feels like regular teeth.
 
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Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
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Bridges don't last forever, and eventually, the adjacent teeth that are ruined for the bridge can no longer be used for a bridge and will have to be replaced themselves. You are young enough that I think you are WAY better off getting an implant. My spouse got two bridges at the age of about 19 and has already had them replaced once (which is lucky because he should have replaced them twice in that time.) He now has SIX teeth that will get implants instead of two because of the bridges.
 
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Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
13
81
My daughter has the same problem her father had (adult teeth that don't grow to replace some baby teeth), but instead of two, the poor kid is missing FIVE. If she got bridges, she would have 9 missing or ruined teeth. We'll pay for her to get dental implants when she is much older.
 
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Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
13
81
Oh, and as far as cleaning, my spouse gets food stuck under his bridges and it sometimes gives him HORRIBLE breath. He has to use little brushes to clean under them. Bleh.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
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Bryophyte said:
Bridges don't last forever, and eventually, the adjacent teeth that are ruined for the bridge can no longer be used for a bridge and will have to be replaced themselves. You are young enough that I think you are WAY better off getting an implant. My spouse got two bridges at the age of about 19 and has already had them replaced once (which is lucky because he should have replaced them twice in that time.) He now has SIX teeth that will get implants instead of two because of the bridges.
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That's what I'm thinking. I'm 42.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
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Jumpem said:
Where do you even go to get implants? I am not sure my dentist does them.
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They'll refer you to their buddy or you find one on your own. I'd go with the place my Dad used as they can do everything in one place instead of sending you all over for the different steps. AFAIK, dentists don't do implants as there is jaw bone work/inspection and other surgery involved.
 
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sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
12
81
The implant itself is surgical. They drill into your jaw and implant a collar. That heals for some time, then usually the same surgeon opens you back up and threads in a post. After that - maybe a couple of weeks, a general or cosmetic dentist completes the job with a crown.
 
J

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
sjwaste said:
The implant itself is surgical. They drill into your jaw and implant a collar. That heals for some time, then usually the same surgeon opens you back up and threads in a post. After that - maybe a couple of weeks, a general or cosmetic dentist completes the job with a crown.
Click to expand...

The commercials for some implant chains all say that it is completed in one visit / day.
 
A

Argo

Lifer
Apr 8, 2000
10,045
0
0
I believe the only downside to implants is price, or maybe not even that. I had an implant, and it was a fairly strait forward decision.
 
B

Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
13
81
Implants can be cheaper in the long run than bridges. Without insurance, a bridge costs almost as much as an implant and needs to be replaced every ten years or so. Last time I checked, a bridge ran around 1200 or so.
 
Markbnj

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
Just went through this decision two years ago and opted for a bridge, which was partly replacing an earlier bridge from twenty years ago. They do eventually loosen, and they do need to be cleaned. There are special flosses for that. Bridges also require grinding down perfectly good teeth to create mounting points. Implants are permanent, and don't suffer from those problems. But they are not foolproof. Some people have an adverse reaction to the metal studs, and they take quite a bit longer to get done because some time is required after the studs are planted for "oseointegration," where the bone fills in around and inside the stud, locking it in place.

As a young person, if I could afford it, I would probably lean implants. More of a pain initially, but if all goes well you should be able to forget about it for the rest of your life.
 
WhoBeDaPlaya

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,414
402
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Meh, I have a Maryland bridge that is now 15 years old. Still as good as the day it was put in.
 
dr150

dr150

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2003
6,570
24
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Implants without question.

Bridges are a dentist's best friend as they looosen/degrade over time. More money for the dentist down the road.

An implant will initially cost more but it'll be there for LIFE. No more issues or problems with that area. No more future dentist calls ($$$) to fix the degrading tooth/fix or replace a bridge...which is inevitable. You save yourself dentist visit time, money and pain sessions. It's really a no-brainer.

Just make sure that the guy who does the implant be really good and with lots of references...not from Craigslist. :p
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
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126
Bryophyte said:
My spouse got two bridges at the age of about 19 and has already had them replaced once (which is lucky because he should have replaced them twice in that time.) He now has SIX teeth that will get implants instead of two because of the bridges.
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are you gay??
 
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freegeeks

Diamond Member
May 7, 2001
5,460
1
81
I had a bridge done in 2004, while it has not caused any problems I would go for an implant if I have to do it again. Problem was that back in 2004 implants were more "experimental". Nowadays just go for the implants. If one day my bridge has to be replaced I would probably go for implants
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
freegeeks said:
I had a bridge done in 2004, while it has not caused any problems I would go for an implant if I have to do it again. Problem was that back in 2004 implants were more "experimental". Nowadays just go for the implants. If one day my bridge has to be replaced I would probably go for implants
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Thanks for the experience. I haven't heard anybody say they wished they went with a bridge.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Bridge if you have ghetto budget.

Implant if you straight baller.

I haven't even had a full cavity yet at 42 years old.

Adonis DNA FTMFW.
 
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