You Have Alternatives
How Dental Implants Can Replace Several Missing Teeth
Advantages of Implant-Supported Bridge
No grinding of adjacent teeth- No root canals
- No risk of cavities
- Keeps bone from deteriorating and dissolving away
- Better facial support
- Looks and feels like natural teeth
- Lowest chance of losing more of your teeth
Alternatives to Dental Implants for Replacing Several Missing Teeth
Traditional Fixed Bridge
A traditional bridge involves grinding down two or more teeth next to the empty spaces to support the bridge. It provides good esthetics and function and is fairly easy for most dentists to do. However, this alternative has some very significant disadvantages that create more problems and costs later. One is the sacrificing of healthy tooth structure from the teeth next to the spaces to make room for the bridge. The damage and heat that occurs due to "grinding" of the two teeth, along with the excessive pressures applied to the remaining teeth during chewing over several years, almost always results in more long term tooth loss.
Summary of Bridge Disadvantages
- Excessive physical stresses on support teeth
- Must grind/shave down support teeth
- High risk of decay
- High risk of root canal
- High risk of root fracture
- High risk of more tooth loss
- Jaw bone erodes where tooth is missing losing face support
Removable Partial Denture
This partial denture alternative is often perceived as uncomfortable and complicated to use. Dental functionality cannot be compared to that the implant teeth replacement option provides. This denture is made of plastic and metal, which is often unsightly and embarrassing.
Summary of Disadvantages for Partial Denture
- Stress placed on the supporting teeth leads to tooth mobility and tooth loss
- High risk of decay, root canals and bone loss around the teeth that support the partial denture
- Food collects underneath the partial denture
- Uncomfortable, unsightly, and embarrassing
- Destroys healthy jaw bone
